Looking back at the 2015 Aintree Grand National.
Many Clouds was given a lovely ride by Leighton Aspell, who held a nice advantage at the final fence, fending off the late charge of Saint Are and Monbeg Dude. Trevor Hemmings’ eight-year-old gelding, a son of Cloudings out of a thrice-raced mare, Bobbing Back, returned at odds of 25/1. Not only did this make back-to-back wins for Aspell, who steered Pineau De Re to success the previous year, but it also saw Hemmings achieve his third Grand National win, following in the hoof prints of Ballabriggs (2011) and Hedgehunter (2005).
Hemmings, a British businessman and billionaire, sadly passed away on 11th October 2021, aged 86.
He was a very popular owner and a charismatic man who loved his horses.
By all accounts, Many Clouds, racing in the familiar yellow and green quartered silks with white arms and hat, was the least likely of Hemmings’ trio of victors (at least according to the bookmakers), starting at odds of 25/1.
Trevor Hemmings’ Grand National Winners:
-
2005 – Hedgehunter (7/1f)
-
2011 – Ballabriggs (14/1)
-
2015 – Many Clouds (25/1)
Interestingly, Hemmings had horses with many trainers. For example, his Grand National winners were trained by Willie Mullins, Donald McCain Jr., and Oliver Sherwood, respectively.
This was the first Aintree Grand National winner for Oliver Sherwood. He started training in 1984 and retired in 2023. Sherwood trained over 1,100 winners in a 40-year career. He is presently an assistant trainer to Harry Derham.
Looking Back at the 2015 Aintree Grand National
The race took place on 11th April 2015. The official going was described as ‘good to soft’; however, the winning time of 8m 56.8s was the fastest since Mr Frisk broke the course record in 1990 (8m 47.8s).
The eight-year-old gelding carried a weight of 11st 9lb. A total of 39 horses took part, and all returned safely to the stables following the race. Carlito Brigante was a late non-runner—the first time the race had been run with fewer than 40 starters since 2004.
Many Clouds (25/1) won by one-and-three-quarter lengths from Saint Are (33/1) and Monbeg Dude (33/1), securing prize money of £561,300.
Shutthefrontdoor, ridden by Tony McCoy, started as the 6/1 favourite. He was trained by Jonjo O’Neill for owner J.P. McManus.
Nineteen of the 39 horses completed the course.
In 2016, Many Clouds returned to defend his Grand National title at odds of 8/1 joint-favourite (alongside The Last Samuri, who finished 2nd). However, Hemmings’ charge finished 16th, beaten by almost 150 lengths. After leading at the 19th fence, he blundered at the 26th, weakened three out, was virtually pulled up soon after the last fence, tailed off, and walked home from the elbow.
The vet said: “The gelding had lost his right front shoe.” While his trainer added: “The gelding had a breathing problem and will have a wind operation before his next run.”
Perhaps the slower ground affected his chances, especially as he was carrying 5lb more than in his 2015 victory.
Rule The World ran out a tidy six-length winner at odds of 33/1 for trainer Mouse Morris, ridden by David Mullins, for owners Gigginstown House Stud.
After a break of 238 days, Many Clouds returned to Aintree, this time contesting The Betfred Lotto ‘£100K Cash Giveaway’ Chase (Listed Race) over 3m 1f. He jumped well, made all, and stayed on strongly to win by three-and-a-half lengths at odds of 3/1.
Sherwood said: “I am chuffed to bits. His jumping was exemplary, and he was very relaxed in front. He had the wind operation. I am very honoured to have a horse like him.”
Many Clouds would not return to the Grand National. His final race took place on 28th January 2017. Heroically, he won the BetBright Trial Cotswold Chase (Grade 2) over 3m 1½f on soft going at odds of 8/1. Ridden by Leighton Aspell, he jumped well and ran on to beat 4/9 favourite Thistlecrack to win by a head. Tragically, Many Clouds collapsed and died after the finishing line due to a severe pulmonary haemorrhage.
The 12-time winner ran 27 times, achieving total prize money of just under £1M.
Sherwood said: “He wanted to win that race—by God, he wanted to win it. He was beaten at the last, but he fought the last 50 yards to get up and win. I always said he would die for you, and he has today, doing what he loved most.”
A very sad day for a true warrior.