The Grand National, Aintree, UK
Facts and trivia on the England’s most famous horse race
The Grand National is unquestionably Britain’s biggest horse race. It may not be the most prestigious to win – the Cheltenham Gold Cup probably takes that title – and it may not be that highly regarded by racing purists, but it is certainly the most popular with the public.
Every year, millions of pounds are gambled on the race, and much of the money comes from people who ordinarily have no interest whatsoever in horse-racing. It is something of a tradition for sweepstakes to be organised in homes and offices across the UK, as everyone has a punt on the nation’s favourite horse race. Hardened gamblers, ironically, tend to avoid the National, as the large fields entering makes things very hard to predict, and the sentimental nature of some of the housewife and once-a-year punter bets tends to put an unnatural skew on the odds.
In recent years, the race has gained plenty of publicity due to its perceived cruelty. The high fences of the Aintree course, in Liverpool, regularly lead to many of the horses that start the race not finishing it. Some of them fall so badly that they have to be put down afterwards, and disruptions from animal rights campaigners in the past have caused tremendous problems.
The 1990s was a troubled decade for the race. The first major disaster came in 1993, when the race had to be declared void. A mix up with the starting pistol and tape meant that there was a false start, but 30 of the horses failed to be recalled, leading to absolute pandemonium. Eventually seven horses, led by Esha Ness, finished the race, but it was all in vain and there was no official winner that year.
1997 was another black year, and the racecourse had to be evacuated following a bomb threat. At the time there were thoughts that it may have been animal rights protesters making a hoax call, but safety had to come first, and 20,000 people were left stranded in Liverpool without accommodation. It was later established that the threat was the work of the Provisional IRA.
Red Rum, trained by Ginger McCain, is the only horse to have won the Grand National three times. Britain’s most famous horse won the event in 1973, 1974 and 1977. Such was his popularity that a statue of him was eventually unveiled outside Aintree racecourse in his honour.
