The Grand National is a National Hunt horse race held annually at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, England.
There is much debate regarding the first Grand National; most leading published historians now prefer the idea that the first running was in 1836 and was won by The Duke. This same horse won again in 1837. The first few races were local events.
The first official Grand National was held on February 26, 1839 which attracted a larger field of top quality horses and riders, greater press coverage and an increased attendance on race day. It was won by rider Jem Mason on the aptly named, Lottery.
During the 1839 race, Captain Martin Becher fell at a jump over a small stream - it was named Becher's Brook in his honor.
First known as the Grand Liverpool Steeplechase, the race got its current name in 1847.
A racehorse belonging to Gregory Peck, Different Class, finished third in the 1968 Grand National.
Red Rum galloped into racing history by winning the Grand National for a third time on April 2, 1977. He achieved the unmatched historic treble having won in 1973 and 1974, and also came second in the two intervening years (1975 and 1976).
Irish jockey Rachael Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the Grand National when she rode Minella Times to victory at the 173rd run of the horse race on April 10, 2021.
There is much debate regarding the first Grand National; most leading published historians now prefer the idea that the first running was in 1836 and was won by The Duke. This same horse won again in 1837. The first few races were local events.
The first official Grand National was held on February 26, 1839 which attracted a larger field of top quality horses and riders, greater press coverage and an increased attendance on race day. It was won by rider Jem Mason on the aptly named, Lottery.
During the 1839 race, Captain Martin Becher fell at a jump over a small stream - it was named Becher's Brook in his honor.
First known as the Grand Liverpool Steeplechase, the race got its current name in 1847.
A racehorse belonging to Gregory Peck, Different Class, finished third in the 1968 Grand National.
Red Rum galloped into racing history by winning the Grand National for a third time on April 2, 1977. He achieved the unmatched historic treble having won in 1973 and 1974, and also came second in the two intervening years (1975 and 1976).
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| Red Rum in 1980. By Rick Weston from UK - Wikipedia commons |
Irish jockey Rachael Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the Grand National when she rode Minella Times to victory at the 173rd run of the horse race on April 10, 2021.
It is a handicap steeplechase over 4 miles 3½ furlongs (7.141 km).
Only 40 horses are now allowed, but dozens fall each year. The greatest number of finishers was 23, in 1984, while the smallest was just two, in 1978.
There are 30 fences in the Grand National and all but two, the Chair and the Water, are jumped twice. The tallest obstacle is The Chair at 5ft 2 inches (157.5 cms) in height.
The race's most successful horse is Red Rum, who won in 1973, 1974 and 1977.
The Grand National has been won most often by horses beginning with R.
It is the most valuable jump race in Europe, with a prize fund of £1 million in 2015.
As many as 600 milion people in 140 countries watch it each year.
Only 40 horses are now allowed, but dozens fall each year. The greatest number of finishers was 23, in 1984, while the smallest was just two, in 1978.
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| 1890 engraving of horses jumping the famous Becher's Brook fence in the Grand National. http://www.lordprice.co.uk/ |
There are 30 fences in the Grand National and all but two, the Chair and the Water, are jumped twice. The tallest obstacle is The Chair at 5ft 2 inches (157.5 cms) in height.
The race's most successful horse is Red Rum, who won in 1973, 1974 and 1977.
The Grand National has been won most often by horses beginning with R.
It is the most valuable jump race in Europe, with a prize fund of £1 million in 2015.
As many as 600 milion people in 140 countries watch it each year.
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