Years

Grand National Winners 1900 – 1910

admin February 18, 2025

The Aintree Grand National has always been popular.

In 1900, tens of thousands of racegoers headed to Aintree Racecourse. It was a major social and sporting event. A time that predated radio. TV was just a glint in John Logie Baird’s eye. Imagine your great grandfather sitting in his rocking chair reading the Daily Express, smoking a John Player Navy Cut, while looking through the racecard muttering to your Dad: ‘What’s going to win the Grand National?’

Unless you were Sir Thomas Lipton, a wealthy credit bettor and tea magnate, placing bets by telephone to the likes of bookmaker Charles Morton, who catered for elite clientele including aristocrats and high-stakes gamblers, it was illegal to gamble, although backstreet bookies were aplenty.

The Aintree betting ring was awash with 100 bookmakers. Punters made their selection and put their money down.

Remember this was pre-decimal.

A pound was a lot of money in those days. Bookmakers had chalk boards and the Tic Tac Man had washed his gloves the night before in Naptha soap flakes.

I still don’t understand the old money: £1 = 20 Shillings (240 pennies in a pound?)

1900 Grand National –

Ambush II won the National at odds of 4/1. In fact, it was a very royal occasion for the six-year-old gelding owned by the Prince of Wales (Edward VII) who was crowned King of the United Kingdom and British Dominions and Emperor of India in 1902. He succeeded his mother Queen Victoria.

The race took place on the 30^th March 1900.

Ambush II was both ridden and trained by Irishman Algy Anthony.

To be fair, we know little about the race beyond Ambush II won by four lengths, and the ground was described as ‘good’. Eleven of the sixteen horses completed the course.

King Edward VII died in 1910.

It’s always interested me that Edward VII had a connection with Great Yarmouth. I’m sure it would please him to know that Shadingfield Lodge has since been turned into the Grosvenor Casino. A place we often frequent with friends and family.

As my cousin Danny said: ‘We’ve all sat on the same throne!’

Let’s take a look at the Grand National winners from 1900 – 1910.

1900 – Ambush II (Algy Anthony)

1901 – Grudon (Bernard Bletsoe)

1902 – Shannon Lass (James Hackett)

1903 – Drumcree (Sir Charles Nugent)

1904 – Moifaa (W. Hickey)

1905 – Kirkland (E. Thomas)

1906 – Ascetic’s Silver (Aubrey Hastings)

1907 – Eremon (Tom Coulthwaite)

1908 – Rubio (Fred Withington)

1909 – Lutteur II (Harry Escott)

1910 – Jenkinstown (Tom Coulthwaite)

For the most part, this decade of National winners saw a mixed bag of results. There were winners priced from 4/1 (Ambush II) to 66/1 shot (Rubio).

1904 – Moifaa

Interesting that this eight-year-old gelding was the first ever non-British/Irish winner, being bred in New Zealand. The 25/1 shot won by eight lengths on good-to-soft going. Ridden by Arthur Birch, trained by W. Hickey for owner Spencer Gollan who was a high-class sportsman himself in rowing and golf.

After King Edward VII’s win with Ambush II (1900) he purchased Moifaa, however, he fell at the twenty-first fence when a 4/1 shot in the 1905 Grand National.

1905 – Kirkland

Winning the 67^th Grand National, he was the first Welsh horse to win this steeplechase. Trained by E. Thomas, ridden by Frank Mason who was champion jump jockey from 1901 – 1907. Owner, Frank Bibby, would see further success when Glenside won the big race in 1911.

1908 – Rubio

The 70^th Grand National. If you were looking for a big-priced winner then this 66/1 shot would have made your year. This American-bred gelding, in the ownership of Major Frank Douglas-Pennent, ran out a 10-length winner.

Tom Coulthwaite won the Grand National twice in this decade: Eremon (1907) and Jenkinstown (1910) both for owner Stanley Howard.

Interestingly, Jenkinstown was the first National to have moving images.

The Pathe Brothers (Pathe Freres) expanded into film at the turn of the century (1900) making some of the earliest motion picture recordings. Film footage of horse racing would be captured by Pathe News, famous for their newsreel division.

In 1911, the first recording of the Grand National was taken by Pathe. The footage provided audiences a glimpse of the National which saw Glenside win, ridden by Jack Anthony. This would be shown in cinemas as the introduction of TV would be seen much later.

If racegoers didn’t enjoy a day at the Grand National, they would have to rely on newspapers to fill in the gaps.

Compared to this digital age, it was a very different time.

It’s worth remembering that in the 19^th century carrier pigeons were used to quickly send race results from racecourses to newspapers and betting offices.

Grand National Winners of the past Ten Years ( 2015 – 2025 )

admin February 17, 2025

The Aintree Grand National dates back to the early 19^th Century. There have been iconic winners since 1839. The shortest priced favourites to the biggest priced outsiders. Horses many thought could never win, others who simply couldn’t lose!

Without doubt, it’s a race where stories are made…

Unless you are the grand old age of 100, few readers are likely to ask:

‘Do you remember Master Roberts winning in 1924? There was a false start and the race was delayed for 8 minutes but it didn’t stop Bob Trudgill winning at 25/1. I had 5-shilling each-way. After racing, I went to the Adelphi Hotel with 1,500 other guests and that crazy jockey re-enacted his victory by leaping a Becher’s Brook made out of 20 Magnums of Champagne.’

To be fair, I wish I had been there because it sounds one hell of a day and night.

Trainer, Aubrey Hastings and owner Lord Airlie were never the same.

I guess that’s what happens when you pocket £5,000 in prize money!

Obviously, this was a long time before the first TV footage (1960), but incredibly in 1924, forty-five cameramen recorded footage for Pathe News which captured the event for cinema audiences.

For most horse racing fans, this modern era of the Aintree Grand National dates back to 2015. I’m sure readers are looking forward to the 2025 National.

Let’s take a look at the last 10-years.

Here is a list of winners:

2024 – I Am Maximus (Willie Mullins)

2023 – Corach Rambler (Lucinda Russell)

2022 – Noble Yeats (Emmet Mullins)

2021 – Minella Times (Henry de Bromhead)

2020 – Cancelled

2019 – Tiger Roll (Gordon Elliott)

2018 – Tiger Roll (Gordon Elliott)

2017 – One For Arthur (Lucinda Russell)

2016 – Rule The World (Mouse Morris)

2015 – Many Clouds (Oliver Sherwood)

The main highlights include the disaster that was Covid 19 which saw life turned upside down and the 2020 Aintree Grand National being cancelled. I remember we were days away from the race taking place. It was a race to the line: Could Tiger Roll win 3 Nationals on the trot or would the deadly virus knock everything on the head?

We all know the answer.

It was unfortunate that Tiger Roll didn’t have his chance to go one better than the incredible Red Rum who won (1973, 1974 & 1977) for Ginger McCain and flamboyant owner Noel Le Mare. The man who had 3 ambitions in life.

Tiger Roll’s story would be cut short and sadly he wasn’t the same horse, He didn’t make the line-up for the 2021 Grand National.

2015 saw owner Trevor Hemmings win the National for the third time. Many Clouds, trained by Oliver Sherwood and jockey Leighton Aspell, who had won the year before. Hemmings had tasted victory with Ballabriggs (2011) and Hedghunter (2005). Hemmings, a very popular man and self-made billionaire, from very humble beginnings, sadly passed away in 2021 at the age of 86.

Lucinda Russell has won the National twice in the last ten years: One For Arthur (2014) and Corach Rambler (2023). They gave jockey Derek Fox special days to remember.

In fact, in the last 15 running (2009 – 2024) there has been three women train Aintree Grand National winners:

2009 – Mon Mome (100/1) Ventia Williams

2013 – Auroras Encore (66/1) Sue Smith

2017 – One For Arthur (14/1) Lucinda Russell

2023 – Corach Rambler (8/1f) Lucinda Russell

A truly historic moment: Minella Times (2021).

The first woman to win the Grand National, Rachael Blackmore. There is little doubt this victory said a lot about horse racing which bult on the shoulders of giants, such as of Charlotte Brew (1977) and Barony Fort. Without the efforts of many women and the 1975 Sex Discrimination Act which made discrimination on the grounds of sex illegal. Blackmore went on to win the 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup: A Plus Tard won at 3/1f.

It is worth noting the success of Noble Yeats (2022) which saw Sam Waley-Cohen become the first amateur winner since Marcus Armitage and Mr Frisk (1990). Noble Yeats was the first seven-year-old to win since Bogskar in 1940.

In 2024, Willie Mullins found a winner in I Am Maximus, after a torrid time which saw him send out 63 runners since 2000. The eight-year-old gelding won well for Paul Townend and owner J.P. McManus.

But who will win the 2025 Aintree Grand National?

It takes place on the 5^th April at 4pm.

At this time, 90 horses are entered for the Aintree Grand National. However, this will be narrowed down to a field of 34. At present, the final horse to make the start is Senior Chief alloted 10st 10lb. He is 33^rd on the list.

This race over 4m 2 1/2f, with 30 fences and total prize money of £1M (£500,000 to the winner) sets a stiff challenge.

Leading fancies include:

*I Know The Way Ur Thinking (Gavin Cromwell) 8/1

*I Am Maximus (Willie Mullins) 12/1

*Iroko (Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriro) 14/1

Intense Raffles (Thomas Gibney) 16/1

Minella Cocooner (Willie Mullins) 20/1

Nick Rockett (Willie Mullins) 20/1

*Meeting Of Waters (Willie Mullins) 25/1

*Perceval Legallois (Gavin Cromwell) 25/1

It’s noticeable that *J.P. McManus has a strong hand with 5 horses high in the betting. I Am Maximus has been raised 6lb for last year’s win. Mullins is throwing a hedgehog at the dartboard with 7 horses in the betting priced at 66/1 and less.

Mullins said: ‘It will be ‘tough’ for I Am Maximus to win off top weight.

20 Years of the Aintree Grand National Winners (2005 – 2025)

admin January 19, 2025

If you are reading this article, the 2025 Aintree Grand National may be on the horizon. Perhaps you are interested in placing a bet on the most famous steeplechase of them all. I remember watching my first National bet back in 1981.

Aldaniti and Bob Champion won at odds of 11/1.

The Grand National is probably one of the most famous races, not so much about the performance beyond winning, but the personal story of horse and jockey, who, to put it lightly, had been through the mill. Make no mistake, it take brains and brawn to win this hard race. Not forgetting a good amount of luck, or, at least, no bad luck.

I’m not surprised why most National Hunt jockeys have no teeth!

When you consider the National goes back to 1839, there are many stories, most you never know existed. Stories from the glorious to the downright heartbreaking if not horrendous.

If there is one good thing about this modern era of information and scrutiny, we know most of the fact and understand the stories.

The Aintree Grand National is a race of stories and of course the stories of winners. Here’s a list of Grand National Winners from the last 20 years:

• 2024 – I Am Maximus
• 2023 – Corach Rambler
• 2022 – Noble Yeats
• 2021 – Minella Times
• 2019 – Tiger Roll
• 2018 – Tiger Roll
• 2017 – One For Arthur
• 2016 – Rule The World
• 2015 – Many Clouds
• 2014 – Pineau De Re
• 2013 – Auroras Encore
• 2012 – Neptune Collonges
• 2011 – Ballabriggs
• 2010 – Don’t Push It
• 2009 – Mon Mome
• 2008 – Comply or Die
• 2007 – Silver Birch
• 2006 – Numbersixvalverde
• 2005 – Hedgehunter
• 2004 – Amberleigh House

The winner of the 2025 Grand National is yet to be decided, with current contenders including I am Maximus again, Inothewayurthinkin and Iroko (JP McManus owned).

Let’s take a look at the 20-year period and detail the story of 3 horses from 2002 – 2024. We will tell the story of winners, losers and sadly one horse who lost its life. It is important we don’t neglect to tell the truth even when difficult to read.

2009 – Mon Mome 100/1

It wouldn’t be fitting not to detail a big priced winner. Surely, that is the hope for many punters. Ridden by Liam Treadwell, trained by Venetia Williams, in the ownership of Vida Bingham. The nine-year-old carried a weight of 11:00. To be fair, it was an easy 12-length victory.

2021- Minella Times 11/1

The story here is very much about horse and jockey, if not the latter. Rachael Blackmore is the first woman jockey to win the Aintree Grand National. A historic moment for many reasons. The eight-year-old gelding trained by Henry de Bromhead in the ownership of J.P.McManus.

It took 173 runnings for a woman to ride the National winner.

Some 38 years after Jenny pitman became the first female trainer with Corbiere in 1983.

In truth, this victory reminds me of a quote from Sir Isaac Newton: ‘If I have ever seen further, it is by standing on the shoulder of giants’.

This victory was built on the blood, sweat and tears of her peers.

The fact was female jockeys were discriminated from riding in the National with the mentality it was no race for a woman. It would take the 1975 Sex Discrimination Act to promote equality. In fact, it took until 1977 for the first female rider Charlotte Brew and her mount Barony Fort to get people talking. It should be noted, and it is important to understand, she owned the horse, basically, because no trainer would give her the same opportunity. The pair nearly finished the race. Barony Fort refused the 27^th fence.

In 1982, Geraldine Rees, riding Cheers, was the first woman to complete the course, finishing 8^th place. He was trained by Martin Blackshaw in the ownership of John Wade. At the time of writing, 2024, there have been just 20 female jockeys to participated in this race. In a world of ‘equality’ progress has been slow.

2023 – Hill Sixteen

Sadly, horse racing, especially the National Hunt, has to broach the difficult question of animal welfare and the loss of horses. To be fair, it is one reason I haven’t bet on the Grand National for many years. Thankfully, the National is a much safer course than back in the day when one of the fences was actually a wall! I respect the debate and it is something we should all consider even if the answers are difficult to find.

Since 2000, there have been 16 horses fatally injured while participating in the Aintree Grand National.

I write those words with sadness.

On the 15^th April 2023, Hill Sixteen lost his life when fatally injured falling at the first fence. The 10yo bay gelding was ridden by Ryan Mania, trained by Sandy Thomson, in the ownership of J Fyffe & S Townsend.

Hill Sixteen was sold as a 5yo for £100,000.

The loss of this gelding saw a change to the course with the first fence moved some 55 metres closer to the start. It was considered the speed many horse met the first fence had lead to fatalities. Also, reducing the size of the field from 40 to 34.

Thomson said of the changes: ‘It makes sense to me.’

Hill Sixteen had jumped 398 hurdles and fences in 27 races at 15 different racecourses over four years and he never fell once.

His death was met with empathy and floods of bile and hatred.

Sadly, Hill Sixteen had broken his neck.

Thomson said: ‘The screens were up around him and he was covered in a sheet. I just got down beside him and stroked his neck and thanked him for everything he’d done for us. I said sorry. ‘

‘He was a special horse to everyone here.’

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.