Years

Grand National Battles: Winners and Runners Up

admin January 17, 2025

Since 1839, the Aintree Grand National has been a race to capture the imagination. Horse trainers, jockeys, owners and punters don’t feel complete until the day they have tasted victory in the most famous steeplechase in the world.

We all remember the day we picked our first winner. I was just eleven years old (yes, I know I wasn’t meant to be betting, but my Dad went to the little independent at the top of our road called Scotneys).

It was 1981.

The day Bob Champion and Aldiniti won the race of their life. Literally. Champion bravely battled against cancer, while his trusty mount came back from serious injury to win a race that many considered impossible. A story that one day would be made into a film, staring John Hurt. The original music score by Carl Davis sends shivers down the spine. If you’ve never watched the film, you won’t be disappointed.

The Aintree Grand National epitomises life. Triumph, tragedy, love and loss.

In a way these words are ascribed to each and every horse who has taken their chance to win in this race of all races.

You could put the name of your favourite horse here… [Red Rum, Aldaniti, Red Alligator et al].

There have been times when few horses completed the Grand National course. Tipperary Tim, the only horse to not fall in 1928, won by a distance. But what about those races where after running 4m 2 ½ furlongs and 30 fences, whether going as fast a lightning (1990, Mr Frisk) or slow as a snail (1839, Lottery), the finish is close.

All too close…

Let’s look at a few races where winning and losing were strides apart, and what separate the winner from the runners up.

1848 –

Heavy going. Rider Lieutenant Josey Little rode his mount Chandler to win by just half a length. The runner up was The Curate ridden by Tom Oliver.

In more recent times, there have been a few close calls.

Take a look at those from the last 30-years:

2007: Silver Birch. The 33/1 shot won by three quarters of a length. Gorgon Elliott’s charge ran well but you have to give credit to McKelvey who finished second, staying on but finished lame.

2012: Neptunes Collonges. Paul Nicholl’s grey gelding finished with verve as the 33/1 got up to beat runner up Sunnyhillboy by a short head.

Was this the closest finish in the history of the Grand National? It’s difficult to know as back in the day race reports were scarce.

2018: Tiger Roll. His first National win for Gorgon Elliott. The pint-sized runner for owners Gigginstown House Stud. Heavy going made this a test of stamina and from looking an easy winner Tiger Roll had to dig deep and held the late challenge of Pleasant Company by a head.

The Aintree Grand National is one of those races where you really don’t want to be pushed to the limit. If there is one race which characterised this, the legendary battle of battles between the supreme King of Aintree, Red Rum. Not only did he prove victorious in 1973, 1974 & 1977 but had to battle hard to beat his biggest adversary, the Black Kangaroo, Crisp. Runners Up in one sense place almost as big a role in racing history as the winners.

And the ultimate Grand National battle of battles?

1973. Aintree, Liverpool.

Australian horse Crisp, a giant who had to carry a heavyweight of 12 stone looked a certainty until be collard by Red Rum in the last few strides to win by three quarters of a length. Red Rum achieved a course record that day, but carried just 10 stone 5 pounds. Two horses fighting hard to win.

Grand National Winners of the 1990s

admin January 17, 2025

The 1990s UK saw a transformative time. Margaret Thatcher was succeeded by John Major at the beginning of the decade.

It was a time of recession and high inflation with crippling interest rates.

A landslide victory for Tony Blair in 1997 saw the beginning of ‘New Labour’.

There was a social and cultural shift with a period of renewed confidence. London became a global destination. It was a time of immigration, cultural diversity, integration and identity.

The rapid growth of personal computers, mobile phones and the internet. The launch of satellite TV saw sports explode in popularity. Euro 96 saw the ‘Three Lions’ reach the semi-finals.

Betting shops would be transformed in 1986 with Sports Information Services (SIS) a company which provided content and production services to the betting industry with live horse racing and greyhound racing.

This replaced the Extel service of commentary over loud speaker.

The 1990s saw a mixed bag of Grand National winners.

Let’s take a look at the results:

1990 – Mr Frisk 16/1 Trainer: Kim Bailey

1991 – Seagram 12/1 Trainer: David Barons

1992 – Party Ploitics 14/1 Trainer: Nick Gaselee

1993 – Race Void

1994 – Minnehoma 16/1 Triner: Martin Pipe

1995 – Royal Athlete 40/1 Trainer: Jenny Pitman

1996 – Rough Quest 7/1f Trainer: Terry Casey

1997 – Lord Gyllene 14/1 Trainer: Steve Brookshaw

1998 – Earth Summit 7/1f Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies

1999 – Bobbyjo 10/1 Trainer: Tommy Carberry

Mr Frisk Wins the 1990 Grand National

If there has ever been a National winner and quiz question rolled into one it’s Mr Frisk. The eleven-year-old gelding trained by Kim Bailey, ridden by Marcus Armitage ran in the ownership of American, Lois Duffey. The 16/1 shot won by three quarters of a length. In very unusual conditions, the going was described as Firm. This saw a new course record 8 minutes 47.8 seconds. He beat Red Rum’s record which was set in 1973 (9m 1.9s). Durham Edition deserves credit for a gallant second place. He previously finished runner-up (1988), fifth (1989) and a fourth attempt when sixth (1991). A truly consistent horse.

Other noted performances include:

1992 Party Politics who won at 14/1 for trainer Nick Gaselee, ridden by Carl Llewellyn, for owner Patricia Thompson. Standing over 17 hands, he is the biggest horse to ever win the Grand National. He finished second to Royal Athlete in 1995.

1993 there was something of an anomaly with the race being void. Despite a false start, 30 of the 39 runners began and 7 completed the course. Esha Ness cross the finishing line first, the second fastest time ever. It has been called ‘the race that never was’. Bookmakers returned an estimated £75M in bets.

For many, there is nothing funny about the Aintree Grand National. However, 1994 saw Minnehoma win for comedian Freddie Starr.

In 1999, Bobbyjo, an Irish-bred son of Bustineto, headed to the Aintree Grand National after proving victorious in the Irish National. The horse’s name was a combination of owner Bobby Burke and his wife Jo. In training with Tommy Carberry, ridden by Paul Carberry, the nine-year-old gelding was substantially backed to 10/1. He won by ten lengths. Sadly, Bobbyjo broke a knee at Fairyhouse Racecourse in 2001 and was put down a month later. In memory, there is a life-size bronze statue of Bobbyjo in his home town of Mountbellew, County Galway.

A fitting tribute.

Grand National Winners of the 1920s

admin January 16, 2025

With the ending of World War I and formal signing of The Treaty of Versailles on the 28^th June 1919, it was a period of social, political and cultural change.

The UK was heavily in debt with mass unemployment.

It was a time of high inflation, poverty, strikes and industrial disputes as workers fought for better pay conditions.

The General Strike in 1926 saw a nationwide strike by coal miners, supported by other industries.

On the good side, the Roaring Twenties saw a period of social liberation, especially for women. A time of jazz, cinema, art and literature.

Radio was a new medium of entertainment. In fact, the first BBC broadcast of the Aintree Grand National was aired in 1927. Sprig, a ten-year-old gelding, won at odds of 8/1f for trainer Tom Leader, ridden by his son Ted Leader in the ownership of Mary Partridge. Poignantly, she kept the horse in training in memory of her son who died in World War I.

Let’s take a look at the 1920s Aintree Grand National:

1920 – Troytown 6/1 Trianer: Algy Anthony

1921 – Shaun Spadah 100/9 Trainer: George Poole

1922 – Music Hall 100/9 Trainer: Owen Anthony

1923 – Sargeant Murphy 100/6 Trainer: George Blackwell

1924 – Master Robert 25/1 Trainer: Aubrey Hastings

1925 – Double Chance 100/9 Trainer: Fred Archer, Jr

1926 – Jack Horner 25/1 Trainer: Harvey Leader

1927 – Sprig 8/1f Trainer: Tom Leader

1928 – Tipperary Tim 100/1 Trainer: Joseph Dodd

1929 – Gregalach 100/1 Trainer: Tom Leader

1920 Troytown Wins the Aintree Grand National:

The Irish horse won well in heavy ground and pouring rain at odds of 6/1. Troytown was considered one of the best horses in the 1920s. The gelding was known for a robust style of racing crashing through fences. After winning the Aintree Grand National he headed to the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris. Unfortunately, he was fatally injured. He had won the race in 1919.

Amazingly, in 1921, Shaun Spadah was not only the winner but the only horse to complete the course without falling. Placed horses: The Bore, All White & Turkey Buzzard were all remounted after falls to finish. Thirty-one horses didn’t finish in desperately heavy conditions. He finished runner-up in 1923.

Perhaps the most novel aspect of the 20s Aintree Grand National came in 1928-29 with successive 100/1 winners.

1928 – Tipperary Tim Wins the National at 100/1

Many readers will be familiar with the story of Tipperary Tim, trained by Joseph Dodd, ridden by Mr Bill Dutton in the ownership of Harold Kenyon. The ten-year-old Irish-bred gelding, a son of Cipongo by a mare called Last Lot. He was a son of the undefeated St. Simon.

Tipperary Tim was a slow horse but rarely fell and this would be his strength with the going described as ‘very heavy’. One of the jockeys shouted: ‘The only way you will win is if all the other horses fall!’

All 41 horses in opposition fell.

In misty conditions, there was a mass pile-up at the Canal Turn, and by the penultimate fence there were only three horses left standing. One of those saddle slipped and the other fell at the last, leaving Tipperary Tim to win by a distance.

Billy Barton was remounted to finish second.

Only two horses finished the race.

In 1929, Gregalach won at odds of 100/1. The seven-year-old won the 88^th renewal of the Aintree Grand National for trainer Tom Leader, ridden by Robert W. H. Everett, in the ownership of Mrs. Marion A. Gemmell. There were 66 runners, the largest field for the National. Nine horses completed the course.

Grand National Winners of the 1930s

admin January 15, 2025

The Wall Street Crash in 1929 had a major impact on the 1930s in the UK and across the world. The depression led to over 3 million unemployed, widespread poverty, and social unrest. It was a time of tension between workers and employers.

Austerity measures cut deep.

From a technological perspective, the introduction of radio led to the prominence of the BBC.

Radio became a significant part of the Aintree Grand National, increasing interest beyond the live event. In fact, the first broadcast of the most famous steeplechase aired in 1927.

Let’s take a look at the 1930s Aintree Grand National:

1930 – Shaun Goilin 100/8 Trainer: Frank Hartigan
1931 – Grakle 100/6 Trainer: Tom Culthwaite
1932 – Forbra 50/1 Trainer: Tom Rimell
1933 – Kellsboro Jack 25/1 Trainer: Ivor Anthony
1934 – Golden Miller 8/1 Trainer: Basil Briscoe
1935 – Reynoldstown 22/1 Trainer: Noel Furlong
1936 – Reynoldstown 10/1 Trainer: Noel Furlong
1937 – Royal Mail 100/6 Trainer: Ivor Anthony
1938 – Battleship 40/1 Trainer: Reg Hobbs
1939 – Workman 100/8 Trainer: Jack Ruttle

The 1930s Aintree Grand National saw a selection of winners priced from 100/8 to 50/1.

Shaun Goilin won the 1930 Aintree Grand National. The Irish gelding, trained by Frank Hartigan, is something of an anomaly because he is the only winner of the National whose sire is unknown. The horse was well-backed by thousands of Irish supporters, including a number of Catholic priests.

A couple of trainers achieved two wins each, including Welshman Ivor Anthony with Kellsboro Jack (25/1) in 1933 and Royal Mail (100/6) in 1937.

Irishman Major Noel Furlong, owner-trainer of Reynoldstown, won the 1935 and 1936 Nationals. The first victory was ridden by his son, Frank, and the second by Fulke Walwyn, who later became an accomplished trainer.

In 1932, Forbra won at odds of 50/1. The seven-year-old was trained by Tom Rimell, ridden by Tim Hamey, and owned by William Parsonage.

If there was one horse that stood out in the 1930s, it was the immensely talented Golden Miller, trained by Basil Briscoe and owned by the rather wayward Dorothy Paget.

Golden Miller Wins the 1934 Aintree Grand National

The 93rd renewal was won by the seven-year-old at odds of 8/1. Although faster ground may have helped achieve a course record of 72 years, it was largely due to the talent of the horse, who carried a weight of 12:02. Gerry Wilson rode a brilliant race. Trainer Basil Briscoe stated that training horses was easy compared to managing his errant owner, Dorothy Paget. Golden Miller remains the only horse to have ever won the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Aintree Grand National in the same year.

Golden Miller ran in the 1933, 1935, 1936, and 1937 Aintree Grand Nationals but did not finish the race in any of those years.

While Golden Miller had mixed fortunes in the National, he is well-known as the most successful Cheltenham Gold Cup horse ever. He won the race in five consecutive years (1932–1936).

Dorothy Paget was a leading owner of the time, with over 1,500 winners. She was a prominent figure in both National Hunt and Flat racing.

Interestingly, the two biggest gamblers in the 1930s were Paget and Mrs. J.V. Rank (sister of the founder of The Rank Organisation), who would often bet £10,000 on a race (£320,000 in today’s money).

Over the years, Paget would have 21 runners in the Aintree Grand National.

With the onset of World War II on September 1, 1939, it continued to be a very testing time for King and country.

Grand National Winners of the 1940s

admin January 14, 2025

With the start of the Second World War on the 1^st Septemeber 1939, and the invasion of Germany on Poland, there was much uncertainty. The 1940s would be a decade of great change as seen with the partial loss of the Aintree Grand National.

With unrest in Europe, the 1940 Aintree Grand National took place at Aintree near Liverpool on the 5^th April. Bogskar would start the decade in fine style winning for owner-trainer Lord Stalbridge at the odds of 25/1. The seven-year-old gelding won by four-lengths, ridden by Mervyn Jones.

The United Kingdom with their allie France, would begin fighting against Germany just two days after the invasion of Poland (3^rd September, 1939).

From 1941 – 1945 the Aintree Grand National held no races (unlike the WWI) as the War Office took over the racecourse as a site for the Army.

In 1946, the 100^th Aintree Grand National would make its return.

Let’s take a moment to review the 1940s Aintree Grand National:

1940 – Bogskar 25/1, Trained by Lord Stalbridge

1941 – No races held due to World War II

1942 – No raced held due to World War II

1943 – No races held due to World War II

1944 – No races held due to World War II

1945 – No races held due to World War II

1946 – Lovely Cottage 25/1, Trained by Tommy Rayson

1947 – Caughoo 100/1, Trained by Herbert McDowell

1948 – Sheila’s Cottage 50/1, Trained by Neville Crump

1949 – Russian Hero 66/1, Trained by George Owen

WWII ended with Japan surrendering to allied forces on the 2^nd September 1945.

The 100^th Aintree Grand National took place 5^th April 1946.

If there is one thing we can say about the 1940s Grand National, it was a period of great uncertainty and a time where many outsiders would win the most famous steeplechase of them all. Perhaps it was a chance for those who backed such big-priced winners to rejoice in a moment of hope and thankfullness.

Some 2,407 days after Bogskar won the previous National we would see a new victor.

In 1946, Lovely Cottage won the Aintree Grand National at 25/1. Bobby Petre punched the air. He won by four lengths for trainer Tommy Rayson. Jack Finlay finshied second (100/1), while Prince Regent finished third (3/1f). Only six of the thirty-four starters completed the course. Sadly, Symbole suffered a fatal injury at Becher’s Brook.

Any backers who found the winners of the Aintree Grand National from 1947 – 1949 had a smile on their face because they returned at substantial odds.

1947 Aintree Grand National –

Caughoo won at odds of 100/1. One of only five horses to win at such odds in the history of the race. Rider Eddie Dempsey won the race on heavy ground by 20-lengths. Amazingly, 57 runners took part. Owner John J. McDowell paid just £50 for Caughoo. Fellow Irish raider Lough Conn finished second, while French runner Kami came third.

1948 Aintree Grand National –

1^st Sheila’s Cottage 50/1

2^nd First Of The Dandies 25/1

3^rd Cromwell 33/1

4^th Happy Home 33/1

Interesting to note that Sheila’s Cottage was the first mare to win the National for 46 years (Shannon Lass, 1902), one of only 12 in the history of the race.

1949 Aintree Grand National –

1^st Russian Hero 66/1

2^nd Roimond 22/1

3^rd Royal Mount 18/1

4^th Cromwell 6/1

Winning owner, Fearnie Williamson, got a first prize of £13,000.

The 1940s proved to be a conflicting time for all and a period of great uncertainty. However, the long six-year and one day wait for victory on the battlefields and return of the Aintree Grand National would bring joy.

Even in times of difficulty there are brighter days to come.

Lest we forget.