History
Founding and early Nationals (1829–1850)
The Grand National was founded by William Lynn, a syndicate head and proprietor of theWar National Steeplechase (1916–1918)
For three years during theTipperary Tim (1928)
On the day of theSecond World War and the 1950s
Although the Grand National was run as normal in 1940 and most other major horse races around the world were able to be held throughout the war, theFoinavon (1967)
In the1970s and Red Rum
The 1970s were mixed years for the Grand National. In 1973, eight years after Mrs.Bob Champion's National (1981)
Two years before theSeagram's sponsorship (1984–1991)
From 1984 to 1991,The race that never was (1993)
The result of theThe Monday National (1997)
TheRecent history (2004–present)
Red Rum's trainerThe course
The Grand National is run over the National Course at Aintree and consists of two laps of 16 fences, the first 14 of which are jumped twice. Horses completing the race cover a distance of , the longest of any National Hunt race in Britain. As part of a review of safety following the 2012 running of the event, from 2013 to 2015 the start was moved forward away from the crowds and grandstands, reducing the race distance by from the historical . The course has one of the longest run-ins from the final fence of any steeplechase, at . The Grand National was designed as a cross-country steeplechase when it was first officially run in 1839. The runners started at a lane on the edge of the racecourse and raced away from the course out over open countryside towards theFences
There are 16 fences on the National Course topped with spruce from theRecords
Leading horse: *Winners
The following table lists the winners of the last ten Grand Nationals:Jockeys
When the concept of the Grand National was first envisaged it was designed as a race for gentlemen riders, meaning men who were not paid to compete, and while this was written into the conditions of the early races many of the riders who weighed out for the 1839 race were professionals for hire. Throughout theHorse welfare
Over the years, Aintree officials have worked in conjunction with animal welfare organisations to reduce the severity of some fences and to improve veterinary facilities. In 2008, a new veterinary surgery was constructed in the stable yard which has two large treatment boxes, an X-ray unit, video endoscopy, equine solarium, and sandpit facilities. Further changes in set-up and procedure allow vets to treat horses more rapidly and in better surroundings. Those requiring more specialist care can be transported by specialist horse ambulances, under police escort, to the nearby Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital at the University of Liverpool at Leahurst. A mobile on-course X-ray machine assists in the prompt diagnosis of leg injuries when horses are pulled up, and oxygen and water are available by the final fence and finishing post.Horse WelfareGrand National Legends
In 2009, the race sponsors John Smith's launched a poll to determine five personalities to be inducted into the inaugural ''Grand National Legends'' initiative. The winners were announced on the day of theSponsorship
Since 1984 it has been sponsored by 5 different companies.Notes
Favourites
In the 70 races of the post-war era (excluding the void race in 1993), the favourite or joint-favourite have only won the race ten times (inMares
Since its inception, 13Greys
ThreeFemale jockeys
Since 1977, women have ridden in 24 Grand Nationals. Geraldine Rees became the first to complete the course, inInternational winners
* Two French-trained horses have won the Grand National: Huntsman (1862) and Cortolvin (1867). Six other winners were bred in France — Alcibiade (1865), Reugny (1874), Lutteur III (1909),Other British winners
* The only Welsh-trained horse to win was Kirkland inIrish winners
* Irish-trained horses have enjoyed by far the most success of international participants, with 18 winners since 1900, including ten sinceFamous owners
The 1900 winner Ambush II was owned by HRH Prince of Wales, later to becomeSee also
*References
*Racing Post: **, , , , , , , , , , ** , , , , , , , , , , ** , , , , , , , , , ** * Timeform: *External links