admin

Davy Russell Two Time Grand National Winner

admin January 4, 2025

Like many of his peers growing up in Ireland, David Russell got a taste for riding his pony.

Born on 27^th June in 1979, in County Cork, Youghal, to parents Jerry and Phyllis, farmers who owned a few racehorses.

Davy may have got the racing bug from looking after his father’s horses.

At the age of 20 (1999), he won his first point-to-point race, which he took part for over four years. He also rode for the local hunt and wasn’t afraid of hard work making ends meet in a fish factory.

Russell held ambitions to become a professional National Hunt jockey and this led him to move to North Yorkshire, England. In 2002, he rode for Irish trainer Ferdy Murphy at Middleham. Later that year, he tasted victory in a Novices’ Hurdle at Sedgefield when Inn Antique won comfortably at odds of 5/2 for owner W J Gott.

After 14 months with Murphy, his successes included Truckers Tavern who was second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup (2003) behind the exceptional Best Mate.

Returning to Ireland, he spent a year with Edward O’Grady before two year stint as a freelance jockey. Once again, he had a winner at the Cheltenham Festival aboard Philip Rothwell’s Native Jack in the Cross Country Chase (2006).

In fact, he would continue to have many high-profile winners at Prestbury Park until 2020. Much to his credit, 2019 was the only year he draw blank.

This had much to do with his connection with Michael O’Leary, CEO of Ryanair. He was made stable jockey for Gigginstown House Stud in September, 2007.

Among his greatest achievements came in 2014 when he partnered Lord Windermere to win the 2014 Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase by a short-head on the 20/1 shot for trainer Jim Culloty.

For many, Davy Russell is best known for riding Tiger Roll to two memorable victories in the Aintree Grand National (2018, 2019). His partnership with Gigginstown House Stud and horse trainer Gordon Elliott would illustrate not only his talents as a jockey but detail a story that would be a fitting legacy.

Davy Russell Grand National Rides:

2003 – Ballinclay King 50/1 PU (pulled-up 15^th fence, The Chair)

2004 – Takagi 25/1 UR (unseated rider 15^th fence, The Chair)

2005 – Arctic Copper 200/1 19^th

2006 – Joe’s Edge 20/1 7^th

2007 – Livingstone Bramble 100/1 UR (unseated ride at 6^th fence, Becher’s Brook)

2008 – Chelsea Harbour 14/1 9^th

2009 – Hear The Echo 33/1 (Non-finisher, collapsed on run-in)

2010 – Cerium 50/1 11^th

2011 – Becauseicouldntsee 16/1 Fell (2^nd fence)

2012 – Alfa Beat 50/1 Fell (7^th fence, Foinavon)

2013 – No ride

2014 – Lion Na Bearnai 33/1 PU (27^th fence, open ditch)

2015 – No ride

2016 – Morning Assembly 16/1 8^th

2017 – Saint Are 25/1 3^rd

2018 – Tiger Roll 10/1 1^st

2019 – Tiger Roll 4/1f 1^st

2020 – Race cancelled due to COVID 19 pandemic

2021 – No ride

2022 – Retired from racing 18^th December

In 2003, Davy Russell had his first ride in the Grand National for Ferdy Murphy on 50/1 shot Ballinclay King who pulled-up on the first circuit at The Chair.

From 15 rides in the Aintree Grand National spanning 2003 – 2019. He completed the course 8 times. Placed in chronological order:

1^st (2019) Tiger Roll 4/1f

1^st (2018) Tiger Roll 10/1

3^rd (2017) Saint Are 25/1

6^th (2006) Joe’s Edge 20/1

8^th (2016) Morning Assembly 16/1

9^th (2008) Chelsea Harbour 14/1

10^th (2010) Cerium 50/1

19^th (2005) Arctic Copper 200/1

Without doubt, two of the best moments in Davy Russell’s career came with the Aintree Grand National. Victories on the pint-sized Tiger Roll, who first showed his class as a four-year-old winning the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2014. He was ridden by Davy Russell.

Who would have imagined some four years later that the oldest rider (38) and the smallest horse (15.2 hands) would prove victorious in the most famous steeplechase in the world?

Tiger Roll (10/1) looked to be cruising to an easy victory. However, horse and jockey needed to dig deep as Willie Mullin’s Pleasant Company flew home. Tiger Roll held on to win by a head. It was a bold effort from such a tiny horse.

Davy Russell and Tiger Roll caught the imagination of the National.

In 2019, he would make his return and take on all challengers, this time he was 4/1 favourite. On slightly faster ground (good to soft), this son of Authorize ran out a tidy winner, beating Magic Of Light by two-and-three-quarter lengths.

The world went crazy with thoughts of an impossible feat.

Could Tiger Roll and Davy Russell go one step beyond the greatest National winner of them all.

Red Rum, trained by Ginger McCain, who won the Aintree Grand National in 1973, 1974 and 1977.

You wouldn’t have bet against the Gigginstown House Stud combo from taking the spoils.

They had already pocket £1M in prize money.

However, it wasn’t meant to be.

With fears of COVID 19 spreading across the globe, literally days before the big race, the Grand National was cancelled. And with it the opportunity for horse and jockey to make history.

Time would tell that that intervening period would take its toll on both horse and jockey. Tiger Roll didn’t make it to the 2021 Grand National.

Suffering many problems, he was retired after a gallant second place at Cheltenham in the Glenfarclas Chase (2022) which he had won on 3 occasions (2018, 2019, 2021).

For Davy Russell a 20-year racing career as a professional jockey come to an end on the 18^th December (2022).

He was Irish Jump Racing Champion Jockey (2011-12), (2012-13) & (2017-18). And runner up on five previous seasons.

However, his greatest achievements will live long in the memory of all who witnesses his two Grand National victories on a little horse called Tiger Roll.

They could have been the most famous winners of the most famous race in the world.

Two talents.

They lost nothing in defeat in a race that could never be.

Horses

National Winner – Tiger Roll with the Punches

admin January 2, 2025

Thinking about Tiger Roll. I can’t help but feel a touch of sadness. I’m sure this pocket-sized gelding wouldn’t want an ounce of my regret. Instead, ‘rejoice in my triumphs of many because I won the greatest steeplechase in the world…’

‘And only God knows, I may have won it three times…’

I can’t say I have ever been follower of the National Hunt. But the first time I ever heard the name Tiger Roll was watching the Cheltenham Festival. The betting popped up. It was the JCB Triumph Hurdle Grade 1.

As you anoraks know that was 14^th March 2014.

Tiger Roll, this son of Authorized, was just three-years-old when he made his debut at Market Rasen for trainer Nigel Hawk and owner Mrs K Wetherall. The 12/1 shot picked up the pieces when heavy odds on favourite Zamoyski (2/11) ran flat. Hawks had originally purchased the gelding for just £10,000.

No doubt, someone had their eye on Tiger Roll. He was purchased by Gigginstown House Stud, the CEO of Ryanair, Michael O’Leary. He was swiftly taken to Gordon Elliott’s stables in County Meath, Ireland.

Tiger Roll made his second start in a Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown where he finished runner-up at odds of 16/1.

One month later, he won the JCB Triumph Hurdle. I remember watching the race that day, and couldn’t have been more impressed. Looking quite keen, he literally powered up the hill, leading just before the last, sprinting clear of Kentucky Hyden, while reversing the form with the third, Guitar Pete. Favourite, Calipto, finished fourth.

I’m far from an informed anorak, but I very much doubt at that time, Tiger Roll had been pencilled in for the Grand National.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Surprisingly, he didn’t win again until 31^st May 2016. This time a Beginners Chase at Ballinrobe.

Another win was seen at Kilbeggan.

For the most part, Tiger Roll had a fine record when racing at Cheltenham. And his running in the National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Riders’ Novices’ Chase. Racing over 4m and 25 fences, this looked a real opportunity to show sparkle for the Grand National.

Tiger Roll’s next triumph would be seen at Cheltenham in the Glenfarclas Chase (A Cross Country Chase) over 3m 6f on soft ground and 30 fences.

In exactly one month’s time, the eight-year-old gelding would be facing the biggest challenge of his life – The 2018 Aintree Grand National.

A truly hard National on heavy ground, covering 4m 2 1/2f. One of the 30 fences would be omitted. It was an eventful race for the 10/1 shot. At one point jockey Davy Russell lost an iron. However, things looked much easier 3 out when travelling strongly. After storming six-lengths clear at the elbow, when chasing Pleasant Company dug in and Tiger Roll just held on by a head. A first success for Davy Russell and a long time between drinks for Elliott who had last won with Silver Birch in 2007.

Tiger Roll would be earmarked for the 2019 Grand National and follow the same races. Everything was going well when he won the Glenfarclas Chase (2019) in imperious fashion when priced 5/4f, winning by 22 lengths. Quite a sparkling victory.

No wonder he was all the rage for the 2019 Aintree Grand National. This time he was a 4/1f. On faster going (good to soft), Tiger Roll had little in the way of surprises bar stumbling at the 25^th fence, although soon recovered. He led about 2 fences out, drew readily clear, ridden out final 110yds.

Two Aintree Grand National victories accruing £1M in prize money.

Russell said: ‘Tiger Roll got very wound up before the race, which was unlike him. Then Denis O’Regan came towards me on another horse of Gordon’s and that was a big help. Once we got going, we were fine. He’s a little devil, he doesn’t get high at his fences, but he gets away with it.’

The racing world were getting excited by the opportunity for Tiger Roll to be a record breaker. He could win three Grand Nationals on the trot, which is a feat that even Red Rum had failed to deliver. He was victorious in 1973, 1974 and 1977.

The plan was very much the same as before.

2020 the Glenfarclas would be taken on the 11^th March. Tiger Roll was made 8/11f but he was beaten into second place by Easyland who went clear by 17 lengths.

All was set for the third Aintree Grand National. However, it was literally a race against the COVID 19 pandemic which was gathering pace across the globe. With days to go, the National had been cancelled.

The chance of making history had been stolen.

There would always be next year!

As race fans know, it wasn’t meant to be. Tiger Roll’s ample ability had waned in the intervening months and it was decided he would take his chance at Aintree (8^th April 2021) in the Betway Bowl Chase (Grade 1) over 3m 1f. Tiger Roll was in training with Mrs Denis Foster and all didn’t seem well. The gelding was never travelling over this shorter distance and his jockey detailed this determined horse had lost his confidence. He finished fourth beaten over 90 lengths. It was a dishearting conclusion to what could have been a triumphant National.

Clearly, Tiger Roll wasn’t in good form and that was the reason for not taking their chance in the National.

Seven months later, still unraced, he was back in training with Gorgon Ellliott.

Was this talented horse tiring of racing?

Two more runs looked disappointing. But was there hope of better to come?

Tiger Roll, trying to recapture his form, made the start for his beloved Gelnfarclas at Cheltenham on the 16^th March 2022. Would he be heading for the Aintree Grand National?

Tiger Roll looked his old self travelling well at Cheltenham only to be beaten narrowly by his stable mate Delta Work, in the same ownership of Gigginstown House Stud.

He lost by ¾ length, priced 3/1.

Tiger Roll was retired after the race. He was talked of with great admiration by his owner Michael O’Leary.

‘He’s a warrior.’

He raced 45 times, achieved 13 wins, including two Grand Nationals, and had total earning of £1,437,256.

Tiger Roll will be known as a horse of outstanding ability. But also a horse who could have won the Aintree Grand National 3 times.

That was something even the great Red Rum couldn’t deliver.

And for that reason, his success will always be slightly tarnished by what could have been.

Tiger Roll.

A true warrior.

Horses

A National Treasure – Red Rum

admin January 2, 2025

What’s the most famous horse race in the world?

The Grand National!

A steeplechase which dates back to 1839.

As so many punters say: ‘It’s a Lottery.’

The Grand National is one of those races which captures the attention of the everyday punter, professional gambler and your old aunt who has a penchant for the number 13 and the colours red, white and blue.

It’s not just the population of the UK which takes an interest but people from around the world.

Millions of people.

If there is one racehorse synonymous with the Grand National then I’m pretty sure it is either in your mind, on the tip of your tongue or you just shouted out proudly – Red Rum. I’m pretty sure a good percentage of the population could tell me the years he won.

1973, 1974 & 1977.

Red Rum finished runner-up in 1975 & 1976.

He didn’t need to win those other two races, but I often wonder what would be his legacy if he had.

‘You remember Red Red? He won the Grand National 5 time!’

I guess what matters is that Red Rum, trained by Ginger McCain and owned by Noel Le Mare holds the record for the most wins. There were a number of other horses who won twice and a few of them on consecutive years.

1850 – Abd-El-Kader (no odds)

1851 – Adb-El-Kadar (7/1)

1852 – Adb-El-Kadar (PU)

1869 – The Colonel (100/7)

1870 – The Colonel (7/2f)

1871 – The Colonel (6^th)

1935 – Reynoldstown (22/1)

1936 – Reynoldstown (10/1)

1937 – Reynoldstown (Didn’t run)

2018 – Tigeroll (10/1)

2019 – Tigeroll (4/1f)

2020 – Tigeroll (Cancelled due to the COVID 19 pandemic)

These third races have been added for context as it helps appreciate if any of these horses went close to matching Red Rum.

You have to feel sorry for Tigeroll who may well have been favourite for the 2020 running. Whether Gordon Elliott’s horses, in the ownership of Gigginstown House Stud, would have achieved this goal no one can tell. This pint-sized horses was consider for 2021 but it didn’t happen and he was subsequently retired in March 2022.

Life is full of twists and turns. For the Grand National this was a big moment in time. I’m sure there would have been many horse racing fans wishing Tigeroll not to win three races on the trot. Sure, there would be many who would have been overjoyed to see him win.

In truth, it is difficult to write an original story about Red Rum. I’m sure there are people who say so much more.

Red Rum Achieved So Much:

He never fell in 100 races
That he dead-heated in his first ever race on the Flat in a five-furlong sprint
Twice ridden by legendary jockey Lester Piggott (Flat, turf)
That Red Rum used to gallop through the sea at Southport beach to treat incurable bone disease in his hoof
He also won the Scottish National in 1974
The only horse to win both races in the same season
The retirement of Red Rum in 1978 was broadcast on the 9 O’Clock News on BBC1
The biggest seller of horse racing merchandise ever
Led the Grand National Parade for years after his successes
He switched on the Blackpool Illuminations
Appeared on the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards (1977)

Red Rum lived to the grand age of 30.

He is buried at the winning post of Aintree Racecourse.

What is most fitting about the story of Red Rum is that even to this day he lives long in the heart of all who watched, read stories or told of the greatest racehorse who won the greatest most famous race in the world.

Three times.

Years

Grand National Winners of the 1980s

admin December 31, 2024

When you consider the Grand National horse race, I guess we all have our favourite horses. Perhaps you have a certain decade which stands out.

Within psychology there is a well-documented phenomenon called the reminiscence bump where people tend to recall more memories from their adolescence or early adulthood than other periods of their life. I guess it explains my interest in the 1980s. Ten glorious years of Grand National winners. A decade of remembrance.

I know what you are saying: ‘What about Rubstic in 1979 and who could forget Mr Frisk in 1990?’

They bookended the 1980s like a delicious club sandwich.

Even though it sounds corny, I just love being part of the 1980s Grand National Club. And somewhere on a book shelf in my mind is the 1928 publication: Seven Hundred Sandwiches. And in my dreams Aldaniti is tucking into a BLT.

It’s a fact, that you always remember the winners. I think my Dad placed a small bet for me on Aldaniti who won the 1981 Grand National. I would have been eleven years old. As it happened the win of Aldaniti and his jockey Bob Champion was a fairytale come true. A horse with fragile legs and a jockey stricken with cancer. Both triumphed over adversity. Champion went on to raise millions of pounds for cancer research.

There story was so poignant that it was made into a feature film: Champions, starring John Hurt.

I’ve watched that film many times. The introduction with the music score by Karl Davis is enough to fill the heart with joy and put tears in your eyes.

What a moment in time…

Let’s take a look at a decade of Grand National winners from the 1980s.

1980 – Ben Nevis 40/1

1981 – Aldaniti 10/1

1982 – Grittar 7/1f

1983 – Corbiere 13/1

1984 – Hello Dandy 13/1

1985 – Last Suspect 50/1

1986 – West Tip 15/2

1987 – Moari Venture 28/1

1988 – Rhyme ‘n’ Reason 10/1

1989 – Little Polveir 28/1

Many will have fond memories of these horses. As Nellie Mae Cox (horse breeder) once said: ‘Every horse has its story to tell…’

The Grand National is a race which seems primed for a story like no other.

Corbiere’s victory in 1983, with Jenny Pitman being the first woman to train a National winner.

West Tip was a noted winner for many punters, trained by Michael Oliver and ridden by Richard Dunwoody, in the ownership of Peter Luff. The 1986 winner returned odds of 15/2.

West Tip ran in every Grand National from 1985 – 1990.

A remarkably consistent horse:

1985 – Fell at Bechers’ Brook 13/2jf

1986 – 1^st 15/2

1987 – 4^th 5/1f

1988 – 4^th 11/1

1989 – 2^nd 12/1

1990 – 10^th 20/1

I always remember the 1986 Grand National, as my brother loved the horse which came third, Classified (22/1), ridden by Steve Smith-Eccles.

Lovely memories.

Which decade is your favourite for Grand National winners?

For all those who loved the 70s I know you have a special place in your heart for Red Rum.

Horses

Noble Yeats Wins The Grand National 2022

admin December 29, 2024

Since the first running of the Aintree Grand National, it has been a race full of surprises. In 1839, Lottery won the first National at odds of 5/1. The jolly went in and the crowd went mad as jockey Jem Mason punched the air in delight.

Perhaps we could be forgiven for thinking it was a race where you could back the favourite blind.

Time would tell, that the Grand National wasn’t a race of predictability. In fact, on many renewals it was a race of complete and utter mayhem. We all remember stories about Foinavon and the melee at the 23^rd fence. 1967 was a great year if you bet on horses priced 100/1. Jockey John Buckingham was given the chance to ride after three others declined the offer. In fact, the owner of the horse, Cyril Watkins, travelled to Worcester to ride another which he fancied to go better.

In 1984, Aintree executives renamed the 23^rd fence Foinavon.

In more recent times, there have been shock winners. From 2012 – 2016 it was something of a free-for-all.

2012 – Neptune Collonges 33/1

2013 – Auroras Encore 66/1

2014 – Pineau De Re 25/1

2015 – Many Clouds 25/1

2016 – Rule The World 33/1

Very few people realised there was a 50/1 shot gathering pace.

Let’ head to the Aintree Grand National 2022.

Noble Yeats Wins The Grand National at 50/1.

By all accounts it had been the long-held ambition for the Waley-Cohen family to win the Grand National.

This Irish-bred gelding, a son of Yeats, out of a twice-winning mare, was originally purchased as a three-year-old for the sum of 6500 (Euros). A year later, he would be sold for £75,000. He had showed ability in his sole point-to-point race when second at Ballindenisk, Ireland.

In the ownership of Paul Byrne, he achieved three wins in 2021 with trainer Emmet Mullins including a National Hunt Flat Race, Maiden Hurdle and Beginners Chase.

Clearly, there were bigger fish to fry. Even though this gelding had been racing over distance up to 3m 1f. there was speculation Noble Yeats could be a candidate for the Aintree Grand National.

This point was confirmed when he went to the sales on the 4^th February 2021. He wasn’t sold for 290,000 GNS. By the 23^rd February, he was in the ownership of Robert Waley-Cohen, an Eton-educated businessman including founding shareholder and director of Portman Healthcare, a dental business. In 2009, he had an estimated net worth of £30M detailed by the Sunday Times Rich List.

Sam Waley-Cohen had an interest in horse racing and an amateur National Hunt jockey first riding in the 2007 Grand National on his father’s horse Liberthine who finished 5^th.

In fact, Waley-Cohen was a very successful jockey with major race wins including King George VI Chase 2011 & Cheltenham Gold Cup 2011 with Long Run. He was the first amateur to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 30 years.

Nobel Yeats would mark a significant chapter in the career of Sam Waley-Cohen as he announced his forthcoming retirement from the sport.

He would be his last ever ride.

A prep race saw Noble Yeats finish down the field at Cheltenham when contesting the Ultima Handicap Chase (3m 1f).

On the 9^th April 2022 (5:15 Aintree), Noble Yeats took part in the 174^th annual running of the Grand National horse race. This seven-year-old gelding was priced at 50/1. Probably due to the fact the last horse to win the National at that age was Boskar (1940).

Noble Yeats carried 10-10. He had never faced anything like the Grand National stepping up to a trip of 4m 2 1/2f. 30 fences (one omitted) and 39 hard competitors including previous winner Minella Times (2021).

In the race, Noble Yeats was held up in rear, with steady headway from the 12^th fence, tracked leaders to the 23^rd (Canal Turn), disputed lead 2 out, headed when not fluent at the last, soon hard ridden, led run-in, stayed on final 110yds, ridden out.

Noble Yeats won by 2 ½ lengths from runner-up Any Second Now (15/2f) with Delta Work almost a distance behind in third. The winning time 9m 3.06s (fast by 0.94s).

Waley-Cohen said: ‘It’s horses for courses and he’s a horse who likes the course. There aren’t many horses that can stay the trip, jump the fences and handle the atmosphere as well as he can.’

It was a fairytale.

In 2023, Noble Yeats would try to defend his title. However, he had to carry over one stone extra weight in more testing conditions. This time ridden by Sean Bowen, the 10/1 shot (backed from 16s) was held up and ran on well for a gallant 4^th place, beaten 8 ½ lengths. He couldn’t match the winner Corach Rambler (8/1f).

In 2024, Noble Yeats took his chance again in the Grand National. The 12/1 hope was never travelled well and finished 19^th.

In two of his three Grand National races to date, Noble Yeats has won £565,000 in prize money, finishing first and fourth respectively.