Years

Grand National Winners of the 1980s

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 – 1st 15/2

1987 – 4th 5/1f

1988 – 4th 11/1

1989 – 2nd 12/1

1990 – 10th 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.