If there was one defining aspect of this decade, it was World War I. Life changed for many, and the four years, three months, and fourteen days of conflict couldn’t end soon enough. Tragically, an estimated 16 to 20 million people and animals lost their lives.
Many ex-racehorses were among the casualties, particularly in the cavalry. For example, offspring of Cloister, the 1893 Grand National winner, were used in military service.
The Suffragette movement also played a significant role during this time, led by Emmeline Pankhurst and her Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), which gained momentum in 1912. Many will be familiar with the tragic footage of Emily Wilding Davison (1872–1913), who died after being struck by King George V’s horse at the 1913 Epsom Derby. While the Suffragettes disrupted several races at Aintree, none were as dramatic as Davison’s protest.
It wasn’t until 1918 that some women were granted the right to vote.
This was a time of great social unrest, and the country breathed a sigh of relief when the Treaty of Versailles (1919) officially marked the end of the war.
For the most part, the Aintree Grand National helped maintain national morale and resilience.
However, from 1916 to 1918, the world’s most famous steeplechase was canceled at Aintree as the nation prioritized fighting for King and country. Instead, the Grand National was held for three years at Gatwick Racecourse, now the site of London Gatwick Airport. The race was run over the same distance but with one fewer jump (29) and was officially called *The Racecourse Association Steeplechase. The course closed in 1940 with the onset of World War II.
Grand National Winners (1910–1919):
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1910 – Jenkinstown (Tom Coulthwaite)
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1911 – Glenside (R. H. Collins)
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1912 – Jerry M (Robert Gore)
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1913 – Covertcoat (Robert Gore)
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1914 – Sunloch (Tom Tyler)
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1915 – Ally Sloper (Aubrey Hastings)
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1916 – Vermouth (J. Bell) *
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1917 – Ballymacad (Aubrey Hastings) *
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1918 – Poethlyn (Harry Escott) *
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1919 – Poethlyn (Harry Escott)
(* Races held at Gatwick Racecourse.)
Notable Moments from the Decade:
1910 – Jenkinstown (100/8)
Tom Coulthwaite’s winner, owned by Stanley Howard, was one of the earliest Grand Nationals captured on moving film, thanks to British Pathé, founded in Paris by Charles Pathé in 1896.
1911 – Glenside (20/1)
A remarkable winner, Glenside was a horse with respiratory problems (broken-winded) and only one eye. Torrential rain meant that only four of the twenty-six runners finished, with Glenside winning by twenty lengths.
1912–1913 – Jerry M (4/1) & Covertcoat (100/9)
These two years were dominated by Robert Gore & Sir Charles Assheton-Smith.
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In 1912, Ernie Piggott (grandfather of Lester Piggott) rode Jerry M, carrying 12st 7lb, to victory. The horse had finished runner-up to Jenkinstown (1910) but this time secured a six-length win as the 4/1 favorite.
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In 1913, Percy Woodland guided Covertcoat to victory, winning by a distance, with only three finishers in the race.
Interesting Aside:
Sir Charles Assheton-Smith, who won the 1912 and 1913 Grand Nationals, had also owned the 1893 Aintree Grand National winner—but under the name Charles Duff.
1914 – Sunloch (100/6)
The 76th Grand National was won by Sunloch, owned and trained by Tom Tyler, at odds of 100/6.
1915 – Ally Sloper (100/8)
A historic moment as Lady Margaret Nelson became the first female owner to win the race.
1916–1918: The Racecourse Association Steeplechase (Known as the War Steeplechase)
During World War I, Aintree was closed, as it was taken over by the War Office (1914–1918). The Grand National was instead held at Gatwick Racecourse, which later closed in 1940, becoming London Gatwick Airport.
Winners of the War Steeplechase:
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1916 – Vermouth (J. Bell) 100/8
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1917 – Ballymacad (Aubrey Hastings) 100/9
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1918 – Poethlyn (Harry Escott) 5/1
1918–1919: Poethlyn Does the Double
To conclude the decade, the nine-year-old gelding Poethlyn secured back-to-back victories at Gatwick (1918) and Aintree (1919).
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Ridden by: Ernie Piggott
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Trained by: Harry Escott
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Owned by: Gwlady Peel
Poethlyn was a highly fancied contender, winning at odds of 5/1 and 11/4, respectively. In his 1919 Aintree win, Poethlyn carried an additional 1st 1lb compared to the previous year, yet still emerged victorious.
He remains the shortest-priced winner in Grand National history.