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.