The Grand National Steeplechase. One of the most famous horse races in the world. With its inauguration back in 1839, it was said the be the ultimate test for horse and jockey. There’s little doubt it was that and more.
When you think back to those early years, communication had been limited but the 1960 was different with the introduction of TV.
If you went back to the 17th century, sports results would often reach the wider public by carrier pigeon!
Thankfully, 1960s punters had TV, and the latter part of the decade the advancement of black and white to colour.
TV viewers must have been on the edge of their seat for the 1967 Aintree Grand National. In fact, this was one of the most famous Nationals of them all for a very good reason if not a rather unfortunate incident.
This was the moment Foinavon won at odds of 100/1.
So convinced was his owner that Foinavon couldn’t win, he went to a different track to ride another horse.
The 1967 Grand National made the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Foinavon avoided the melee at the 23rd fence when loose horse Popham Down veered dramatically to his right at the fence, unseating Rutherford’s jockey Johnny Leech in what can only be described as a mass pile-up. It just about brought the race to a halt. With some horse running the wrong way!
However…
Foinavon’s jockey John Buckingham, had time to steer his horse wide of the melee and jump the fence.
Amazingly, Foinavon had a 30+ length lead.
The duo went on to win the race by 15 lengths from the favourite Honey End who was remounted and making up ground.
In 1984, the 23rd fence was named Foinavon. Sometimes the smallest fence on the course can cause the biggest problem.
If there is one thing to say about the Grand National in the 1960s, there were plenty of big-priced winners:
1960S Grand National Winners:
1960 Merryman II 13/2 (Trainer, Neville Crump)
1961 Nicolause Silver 28/1 (Trainer, Fred Rimell)
1962 Kilmore 28/1 (Trainer, Ryan Price)
1963 Ayala 66/1 (Trainer, Keith Piggott)
1964 Team Spirit 18/1 (Trainer, Fulke Walwyn)
1965 Jay Trump 100/6 (Trainer, Fred Winter)
1966 Anglo 50/1 (Trainer, Fred Winter)
1967 Foinavon 100/1 (Trainer, John Kempton)
1968 Red Alligator 100/7 (Trainer, Denys Smith)
1969 Highland Wedding 100/9 (Trainer, Toby Balding)
The first winner of the Swinging Sixties was seen with Merryman II (1960). The 13/2f was the first Scottish horse to win the Grand National. The nine-year-old gelding was ridden by Gerry Scot and trained by Neville Crump.
The first televised Grand National was 1960.
Titbits about the 1960s Aintree Grand National Winners:
1960 Merryman II: First televised winner.
1961 Nicolaus Silver: First grey horse to win in 90 years.
1962 Kilmore: All 32 runners returned safely to their stables.
1963 Ayala: All 42 horses returned safely to their stables.
1964 Team Spirit: American-owned by John Goodman.
1965 Jay Trump: Ridden by American amateur jockey Tommy Smith.
1966 Anglo: Won easily ridden by Tim Norman who has been injured in a car crash days earlier.
1967 Foinavon: Unlikely 100/1 who in 1984 had the 23rd fence named after him.
1968 Red Alligator: Tim Durant, riding Highlandie, oldest jockey to complete the course aged 68.
1969 Highland Wedding: Was one of three 12 year old horses to win in the 60s.
The 1960s Aintree Grand Nationals heralded a new time with the onset of TV coverage which added to the popularity of the race. Perhaps the most noted horse, familiar to this day, is Foinavon who triumphed at odds of 100/1.
Only five horses have won at such big odds since its inauguration in 1839.