The death of Prince Albert in 1861 saw Queen Victoria dress in black for the rest of her life. Lord Palmerston, a Liberal, was Prime Minister from 1859 until his death in 1865. Campaigns for expanding voting rights would see increased numbers with the passing of the Second Reform Act (1867) under the Conservative rule of Benjamin Disraeli. Many urban working-class men voted for the first time. Cities grew, railways expanded and steel and coal production increased. The American Civil War (1861 – 1865) cut off cotton supplies from southern states hitting Lancashire’s textile industry leading to unemployment and hardship. The British Empire grew steadily in India and Africa, while troops were involved in colonial conflict with the Maori (1860 – 1869). Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species (1859) continued to spark debate. Britain was the hub of innovation. In 1863, London opened the world’s first Underground railway from Paddington to Farringdon. The work of Charles Dickens Great Expectations (1861) was well received both critically and by public alike. Modern sports like football and cricket become more formalized. The Aintree Grand National saw an enthralling decade of winners. It was a place where aristocrats rubbed shoulders with ordinary people.
Let’s take a closer look:
1860 – Anatis 7/2f
1861 – Jealousy 5/1
1862 – The Huntsman 3/1f
1863 – Emblem 4/1
1864 – Emblematic 10/1
1865 – Alcibiade 100/7
1866 – Salamander 40/1
1867 – Cortolvin 16/1
1868 – The Lamb 9/1
1869 – The Colonel 100/7
1860: The 22nd Grand National took place on the 7th March. Race goers were expecting a 25-strong field but 6 late non runners caused anger amongst the crowd as the heavily backed favourite, Jealousy, didn’t take part (no doubt the first time ante-post backers heard of the news). Anatis had shown some class finishing 5th the previous year and was backed to 7/2f. Her jockey Mr Tommy Pickering rode under the pseudonym Mr Thomas who said of his mount: ‘She’s a powerful, tearing mare trained specifically for the National.’ In a battle with The Huntsman, the 10-year-old, trained by H.E.May in the ownership of Christopher Chapel won by half a length.
The Aintree Grand National has a rich history dating back to 1839, but winning mares have been few and far between with only 13 tasting victory. In fact, the most recent mare to win is Nickel Coin (1951). The 19th century was a time when mare held every chance of winning and the 1860s especially so with 4 mares.
1861: Punters who missed out on Jealousy, would have something to cheer about when the Charles Balchin-trained mare would take on her nemesis, previous year’s winner Anatis, who was backed to favouritism when looking impressive in the paddock. Some feared Jealousy would struggle to get home in the conditions after finishing 11th and last in 1859. Joseph Kendall rode a fine race to win by two lengths from 33/1 shot, The Dane.
1862: Saw The Huntsman win under the ownership of Viscount de Namur Baron de la Motte, trained by Harry Lamplugh. The gelding, ridden by the trainer, won by four lengths and priced 3/1 favourite. He had finished third in 1859 and runner-up in 1860. The Huntsman would race two days later in the Great North of England Chase at Doncaster, breaking down to be retired to stud.
The race is remembered with sadness for being the only fatality of a jockey when Joseph (Joe) Wynne was crushed when his mount O’Connell fell at the 13th fence. Tragically, Wynne had been told that his sister had died on the morning of the race and offered the chance to stand down. Making his debut in the race he said: ‘He had come so far to ride the horse.’
Truly tragic.
1863: Emblem proved an easy winner for the 25th renewal winning by twenty lengths, ridden by George Stevens, trained by Edwin Weever, in the ownership of Lord Coventry. She defeated the previous year’s winner Jealousy, who finished 6th. Stevens is still credited with being the most winning jockey of the Aintree Grand National with 5 wins (1856, 1863, 1864, 1869, 1870). Lord Coventry would follow up the next year (1864) with Emblematic, a full sister to Emblem, who won at odds of 10/1 by four lengths.
1866: For those punters who love to hear about big-priced winners, that honour for the 1860s was given to Salamander who won well by ten lengths on soft ground and snowy conditions for jockey Alec Goodman, from trainer J Walters, in the silks of Edward Studd.
In summary: This decade was noted for four winning mares (Anatis 1860, Jealousy 1861, Emblem 1863 & Emblematic 1864), the success of George Stevens winning 3 Nationals (Emblem 1863, Emblematic 1864 & The Colonel 1869). Stevens went on to win again in 1870 with The Colonel.
The most noted memory being the fatality of Joe Wynne.
He was just 20 years of age.
The Grand National – the ultimate test for horse and jockey.
The toughest steeplechase in the world.