History of the Grand National
The Grand National has become synonomous with drama, heartache and bravery, and the first running in 1839 was won by the aptly named Lottery, ridden by Jem Mason.
The most famous winner in the race’s history is Red Rum, the only horse to have won the race three times. He won in 1973 and again in 1974, on that occasion becoming the first horse since Reynoldstown (1936) to win carrying top weight. Red Rum was second, also with top weight, for the next two years, and his third win came in 1977.
Red Rum’s first win came at the expense of the gallant Australian chaser Crisp, ridden by Richard Pitman, who led for most of the way but ran out of energy near the end and was caught by Red Rum.
The most famous defeat was that of the Queen Mother’s Devon Loch, ridden by Dick Francis, who was within sight of the winning post in 1956 when he inexplicably sprawled on his belly and handed victory to ESB.
In 1967 Foinavon, a 100-1 shot, won after a mass pile-up at the 23rd fence allowed him to come from the back of the field and avoid the melee. The fence is now known as Foinavon.
In 1993 the race was declared void after a false start. Many runners continued unaware of the problem at the start and Esha Ness passed the post first, only to be disqualified and the race declared void.
The 1997 Grand National, won by Lord Gyllene, was postponed because of a bomb scare and run instead two days later.
Grand National Facts
- There have been five 100-1 winners: Tipperary Tim (1928), Gregalach (1929), Caughoo (1947), Foinavon (1967) and Mon Mome (2009).
- The last horse to carry top weight to victory was Red Rum in 1977.
- Manifesto ran in the race a record eight times. He won the race twice (in 1897 and 1899) and was third three times, making his last appearance at the age of 16, when he was last of eight finishers. He is the oldest horse to have completed the course.
