Grand National facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Grand National

Premier Handicap race
The Grand National in 2011
Location	Aintree Racecourse Aintree, Merseyside, England
Inaugurated	26 February 1839; 186 years ago (1839-02-26)
Race type	Steeplechase
Sponsor	Randox
Website	Grand National
Race information
Distance	4 miles 514 yards (6.907 km)
Surface	Turf
Track	Left-handed
Qualification	Seven-years-old and up Rated 125 or more by BHA Previously placed in a recognised chase of 2 miles 7+1⁄2 furlongs (4.7 km) or more
Weight	Handicap Maximum: 11 stone 12 pounds (75 kg; 166 lb)
Purse	£1,000,000 (2022) Winner: £500,000

The Grand National is a famous horse race held every year at Aintree Racecourse in Aintree, England. It first took place in 1839. This race is a handicap steeplechase, meaning horses carry different weights based on their past performance.

The race covers about 4 miles and 2½ furlongs (6.9 km). Horses must jump 30 fences over two laps. It is the most valuable jump race in Europe, with a prize fund of £1 million. Many people who don't usually watch horse racing tune in for the Grand National.

The fences at Aintree are much bigger than those on regular jump race tracks. Some, like Becher's Brook, The Chair, and the Canal Turn, are very well-known. These challenging fences, along with the long distance, make the Grand National a huge test for both horse and rider.

The Grand National has been shown live on TV in the UK since 1960. It was broadcast by the BBC until 2012, then by Channel 4 until 2016. Since 2017, ITV has broadcast the event. It's estimated that 500 to 600 million people watch the race in over 140 countries. Radio broadcasts have also been available since 1927.

The race has faced a few big interruptions. The 1993 Grand National was cancelled due to false starts. The 1997 Grand National was moved to a Monday because of a bomb threat. In 2023, the race was delayed by animal rights protesters.

The most recent Grand National, in 2025, was won by Patrick Mullins riding Nick Rockett. Since 2017, the race has been sponsored by Randox.

History of the Grand National

How the Race Started (1829–1850)

1890 picture of horses jumping the famous Becher's Brook fence.

The Grand National was created by William Lynn, who owned the Waterloo Hotel. He leased land in Aintree from Lord Sefton. Lynn designed the course and built a grandstand. The first stone was laid on February 7, 1829.

There's some debate about when the first official Grand National happened. Many historians now believe the first race was in 1836, won by a horse called The Duke. This horse won again in 1837, and Sir William won in 1838. For a long time, these races were not counted because people thought they happened somewhere else. However, new evidence suggests they were run at Aintree, just like the later races.

In 1838 and 1839, three important things helped the race grow from a small local event to a national one. First, another big race, the Great St. Albans Chase, stopped running after 1838. This left a gap in the racing calendar. Second, a new railway line opened in 1839, making it easier for people and horses to travel to Liverpool from all over the country. Finally, a group was formed to organize the event better.

These changes led to a much more publicized race in 1839. It attracted better horses and riders, got more news coverage, and had more spectators. Over time, the first three races were forgotten, making the 1839 race known as the first official Grand National. That year, the race was won by Jem Mason on a horse named Lottery. The famous fence Becher's Brook is named after Martin Becher, who fell there in that race.

By the 1840s, William Lynn was not well. Edward Topham, a respected handicapper, started to have more say in the race. He changed the race to a handicap in 1843, meaning horses carried different weights. Before this, all horses carried the same weight for their age. Topham took over the land lease in 1848, and his family later bought the racecourse.

War Years (1916–1918)

During the First World War, Aintree Racecourse was used by the military. So, for three years, an alternative race was held at Gatwick Racecourse. These races were called the Racecourse Association Steeplechase (1916) and the War National Steeplechase (1917 and 1918). These Gatwick races are not always officially recognized as Grand Nationals.

Tipperary Tim's Surprise Win (1928)

On the day of the 1928 Grand National, before the race, Tipperary Tim's jockey, William Dutton, heard a friend joke, "Billy boy, you'll only win if all the others fall down!" This turned out to be almost true. The weather was misty, and the ground was very heavy.

As the horses approached the Canal Turn, a horse fell, causing a big pile-up. Only seven horses continued with their riders still on. By the second-to-last fence, only three horses were left. Great Span looked like it would win, but its saddle slipped. Then Billy Barton, who was in the lead, also fell. Even though Billy Barton's jockey got back on, Tipperary Tim, a huge outsider at 100/1 odds, crossed the finish line first. Only two riders completed the course, which is still a record for the fewest finishers.

After World War II (1940s-1950s)

The Grand National was held in 1940. However, Aintree Racecourse was taken over for defense during the war. This meant no Grand National races were held from 1941 to 1945. The race started again in 1946. From 1947, it was moved to a Saturday to make it easier for working people to attend. It has usually been run on a Saturday ever since.

In the 1950s, a trainer named Vincent O'Brien was very successful. He trained three different winners of the race in a row from 1953 to 1955.

The 1956 Grand National had a very strange moment. A horse named Devon Loch, owned by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, was leading by a lot after the last fence. Just 40 yards from winning, Devon Loch suddenly jumped into the air and collapsed. His jockey, Dick Francis, couldn't get him to finish. This allowed E.S.B. to win. The Queen Mother famously said, "Oh, that's racing!" The phrase "to do a Devon Loch" is now used to describe a last-minute failure when victory seems certain.

Foinavon's Unbelievable Victory (1967)

In the 1967 Grand National, something incredible happened at the 23rd fence. A loose horse, Popham Down, ran across the path of the leading horses. This caused a huge pile-up, with many horses stopping, refusing to jump, or losing their riders. Some horses even started running the wrong way!

Foinavon, a horse whose owner didn't expect him to win, was far behind the main group. This gave his jockey, John Buckingham, time to steer Foinavon wide of the chaos. He made a clean jump and went on to win the race at 100/1 odds. Even though 17 jockeys got back on their horses, none could catch Foinavon. The 7th/23rd fence was later named the 'Foinavon fence' in 1984.

The Red Rum Era (1970s)

The 1970s were a special time for the Grand National because of Red Rum. He became the most successful horse in the race's history. Red Rum was bought for £6,300 by Ginger McCain. McCain noticed Red Rum had a leg problem. He successfully treated the horse by galloping him in seawater on Southport beach.

Red Rum is the only horse to have won the Grand National three times: in 1973, 1974, and 1977. He also finished second in 1975 and 1976.

In 1973, Red Rum was 15 lengths behind the leader, Crisp, at the last fence. But Red Rum caught up quickly and won by a small margin in a very exciting finish. He set a new record for the fastest time, which stood for 17 years.

Bob Champion's Inspiring Win (1981)

Two years before the 1981 Grand National, jockey Bob Champion was diagnosed with cancer and given little time to live. But by 1981, he had recovered and was able to ride in the race. He rode Aldaniti, a horse that had also overcome serious leg problems.

Despite a slow start, the pair won by 4½ lengths. Champion and Aldaniti became instant celebrities. Their story was even made into a movie called Champions.

Sponsorship and Changes (1984–1991)

From 1984 to 1991, Seagram sponsored the Grand National. This sponsorship helped the race become popular again. It allowed the Jockey Club to buy and manage the course. The last Seagram-sponsored race in 1991 was won by a horse also named Seagram. After that, Martell took over as sponsor.

The Race That Never Was (1993)

The 1993 Grand National was a disaster. The race was declared void, meaning it didn't count, after a series of problems at the start. One jockey got tangled in the starting tape. A false start was called, but many jockeys didn't realize it and kept racing.

Officials tried to stop them with red flags, but some jockeys thought they were protesters. Seven horses finished the course, but the result was cancelled. The first horse to cross the line was Esha Ness.

The Monday National (1997)

The 1997 Grand National was postponed because of two bomb threats from the Provisional Irish Republican Army. Police evacuated the course, including 60,000 spectators. Many people were left without their cars. Local residents kindly opened their homes to those who were stranded. The race was held 48 hours later on the Monday, with free admission for 20,000 tickets.

Recent History (2004–Present)

Ballabriggs, the winner of the 2011 Grand National.

In 2004, Ginger McCain, Red Rum's trainer, returned to the Grand National. His horse, Amberleigh House, won the race. This made McCain one of only three trainers to win the Grand National four times.

In 2009, Mon Mome won at very long odds of 100/1. This was the first win for female trainer Venetia Williams since Jenny Pitman in 1995.

In 2010, the National was the first horse race in the UK to be shown in high-definition TV.

In 2013, Crabbie's became the new sponsor. They increased the prize money to £1 million for the 2014 race.

Since 2017, Randox Health has been the main sponsor.

The 2020 race was not run due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, a virtual race was created using computer graphics. This virtual race was won by Potters Corner. Another virtual race was held with past winners, and Red Rum won that one.

In 2021, Rachael Blackmore made history by becoming the first female jockey to win the race, riding Minella Times.

In 2023, the race was delayed by Animal Rising protesters. This was the first major disruption since the 1993 and 1997 incidents.

The Course

The Grand National is run on the National Course at Aintree. It has two laps of 16 fences, with the first 14 fences jumped twice. Horses cover a distance of about 4 miles and 514 yards (7.2 km). This is the longest National Hunt race in Britain.

A map of the National Course at Aintree

The Grand National was originally designed as a cross-country race in 1839. Horses started outside the racecourse and ran over open fields towards the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. They jumped natural obstacles like gates, hedges, and ditches. They then returned to the racecourse for a second lap. Today, this countryside is part of the modern course, but people still call it "the country."

Famous Fences

There are 16 fences on the National Course. They are topped with spruce from the Lake District. In 2012, the cores of 12 fences were rebuilt with a flexible plastic material, making them safer. They still have at least 14 inches (36 cm) of spruce on top. Some fences are named after events or people from the race's history. All 16 fences are jumped on the first lap. On the final lap, horses turn right towards the finish line, avoiding The Chair and the Water Jump.

Here are some of the famous fences:

Fence 1 & 17

Height: 4 feet 6 inches (1.37 m). Horses often approach this fence very fast, which can cause falls. The landing side was made less steep after the 2011 race. From 2024, this fence was moved closer to the start to help slow the horses down early in the race.

Fence 3 & 19 – Open Ditch

Height: 4 feet 10 inches (1.47 m), with a 6-foot (1.83 m) ditch before it. This is the first big challenge as horses are still getting used to the obstacles. In 2022, the race was shortened by bypassing this fence after a horse died.

Fence 6 & 22 – Becher's Brook

Height: 5 feet (1.52 m), with the landing side 6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 cm) lower than the take-off side. The drop often surprises horses. Jockeys must lean back to handle the steep landing. It's named after Martin Becher, who fell there in the first Grand National and hid in the brook while other horses jumped over him. This fence was modified after the 2011 race to make the landing less steep.

Fence 7 & 23 – Foinavon

Height: 4 feet 6 inches (1.37 m). This is one of the smallest fences. It was named in 1984 after the 1967 winner, Foinavon, who avoided a big pile-up here to win the race.

Fence 8 & 24 – Canal Turn

Height: 5 feet (1.52 m). This fence is known for a sharp 90-degree left turn right after landing. Before World War I, loose horses sometimes ended up in the Leeds and Liverpool Canal itself. A ditch before the fence was filled in after a pile-up in the 1928 race.

Fence 9 & 25 – Valentine's Brook

Height: 5 feet (1.52 m) with a 5-foot 6-inch (1.68 m) brook. It was renamed after a horse named Valentine supposedly jumped it backward in 1840.

Fence 15 – The Chair

Height: 5 feet 2 inches (1.57 m), with a 6-foot (1.83 m) wide ditch before it. This fence is where the only human death in the National's history occurred in 1862. The ground on the landing side is higher than the take-off side, which is the opposite of Becher's. It's a popular spot for spectators.

Fence 16 – Water Jump

Height: 2 feet 6 inches (0.76 m). This fence used to be a stone wall. It was once very popular for spectators to watch.

After the 30th fence on the final lap, horses turn right and head towards the finish line. This "run-in" is one of the longest in the UK, at 494 yards (452 m). Many horses have lost the race here after leading, like Devon Loch in 1956 and Crisp in 1973.

Records

Leading horse:

• Red Rum – 3 wins (1973, 1974, 1977)

Leading jockey:

• George Stevens – 5 wins (1856, 1863, 1864, 1869, 1870)

Leading trainers:

• George Dockeray – 4 wins (1839, 1840, 1842, 1852)
• Fred Rimell – 4 wins (1956, 1961, 1970, 1976)
• Ginger McCain – 4 wins (1973, 1974, 1977, 2004)

Leading owners:

• Noel Le Mare – 3 wins (Red Rum, 1973, 1974, 1977)
• Trevor Hemmings – 3 wins (2005, 2011, 2015)
• Gigginstown House Stud – 3 wins (2016, 2018, 2019)
• J. P. McManus – 3 wins (2010, 2021, 2024)

• Fastest winning time: Mr Frisk (1990); 8 minutes 47.80 seconds
• Slowest winning time: Lottery (1839); 14 minutes 53 seconds
• Oldest winning horse: Peter Simple (1853); aged 15
• Youngest winning horse: Alcibiade (1865), Regal (1876), Austerlitz (1877), Empress (1880), Lutteur III (1909); all aged five
• Oldest winning jockey: Dick Saunders (1982); aged 48
• Youngest winning jockey: Bruce Hobbs (1938); aged 17
• Longest odds winner: Tipperary Tim (1928), Gregalach (1929), Caughoo (1947), Foinavon (1967), Mon Mome (2009); all 100/1
• Shortest odds winner: Poethlyn (1919); 11/4
• Largest field: 66 runners (1929)
• Smallest field: 10 runners (1883)
• Most horses to finish: 23 (1984)
• Fewest horses to finish: 2 (1928)
• Most rides in the race: 21 (Richard Johnson, 1997-2019)
• Most rides without winning: 21 (Richard Johnson, 1997-2019)

Winners

The table below shows the winners of the last ten Grand Nationals:

Jockeys

The Grand National was originally meant for "gentlemen riders," meaning people who weren't paid to race. However, many professional riders also took part from the beginning. In the past, amateur riders often won the race.

After World War II, it became less common for amateurs to win. The last amateur jockey to win the Grand National was Mr Patrick Mullins in 2025 on Nick Rockett. Before him, Sam Waley-Cohen won in 2022. Today, most jockeys are professionals.

The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 made it possible for female jockeys to enter the race. The first female jockey to ride was Charlotte Brew in 1977. The first to finish the race was Geraldine Rees in 1982. In recent years, female jockeys have had more chances to win. In 2012, Katie Walsh finished third, which was the best result for a female jockey at the time. In 2021, Rachael Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the Grand National, riding Minella Times.

Professional jockeys now dominate the race. Better training and protective gear mean jockeys can have longer careers. Even so, many famous jockeys have ridden in the Grand National many times without winning. For example, Richard Johnson rode in 21 Grand Nationals from 1997 to 2019 without a win, though he finished second twice.

Horse Welfare

Safety Statistics

The Grand National is known to be a higher-risk race compared to many other horse races. According to the British Horseracing Authority, the average number of horse deaths in jump racing is 0.43%. However, for the Grand National itself, the rate has been higher, at 1.12% over the last ten races.

History of Horse Fatalities

Between the 1970s and 1980s, 12 horses died in the Grand National. From 1990 to 2010, when many changes were made to the course, 17 horses died. In 2011 and 2012, two horses died in each race. In 2013, after more changes to make fences more flexible, there were no deaths in the main race. However, two horses died in other races on the same course during the festival.

There were no horse deaths in the main Grand National race for seven years until 2019, when one horse died at the first fence. In 2021, one horse was put down after the race due to an injury. In 2022, two more horses were put down after getting injured. In 2023, one horse died after falling at the first fence. Animal rights protesters were involved in delaying the start of the 2023 race. Some people in horse racing believed the delay made the horses more anxious, which might have contributed to the falls.

Changes by Organizers

Over the years, officials at Aintree have worked with animal welfare groups to make the fences safer and improve veterinary care. In 2008, a new veterinary surgery was built at the stable yard. It has modern equipment for treating horses. Horses needing more specialized care can be taken to a nearby animal hospital. Vets are also on the course during the race to treat injured horses quickly.

Some of the most challenging fences have been changed. After the 1989 race, the brook at Becher's Brook was filled in. After the 2011 race, the landing side of Becher's was made flatter to slow horses down. Other fences have also been made lower. The rules for which horses can enter the race have also become stricter.

In 2009, parts of the course were widened so horses could go around fences if needed. This happened in the 2011 race when horses were diverted around fences 4 and 6 due to injured horses.

Some people in horse racing, like Ginger McCain, believe that making the fences safer has actually made horses race faster, which could still be dangerous.

After the 2023 race, the Jockey Club announced big changes for 2024. The number of horses in the race was reduced from 40 to 34. Fences were moved to slow the race down at the start, and new rules were added for checking horses before the race. These changes aim to improve the safety of horses and jockeys.

Grand National Legends

In 2009, the race sponsors, John Smith's, started a poll to choose five "Grand National Legends." These legends were honored with plaques at Aintree. The first winners were:

• Ginger McCain and his horse Red Rum, who won three times.
• John Buckingham and Foinavon, the surprise winners in 1967.
• Manifesto, a horse who ran in the race eight times and won twice.
• Jenny Pitman, the first woman to train a winner in 1983.
• Sir Peter O'Sullevan, a famous commentator who covered 50 Grand Nationals on radio and TV.

A group of experts also chose three more legends:

• George Stevens, who won five times as a jockey.
• Captain Martin Becher, who helped bring the National to Liverpool and is the namesake of Becher's Brook.
• Edward Topham, who played a big part in organizing the race and whose family owned the course for many years.

In 2011, nine more legends were added:

• Bob Champion and Aldaniti, the inspiring winners of the 1981 race.
• West Tip, a horse who ran in six Nationals and won once in 1986.
• Richard Dunwoody, a jockey who won twice and placed in eight races.
• Brian Fletcher, a jockey who won three times, including Red Rum's first win.
• Vincent O'Brien, who trained three winners in a row in the 1950s.
• Tom Olliver, a jockey who rode in 19 Nationals and won three times.
• Count Karl Kinsky, the first international winner in 1883.
• Jack Anthony, a three-time winning jockey.
• Peter Bromley, a BBC radio commentator.

Five "people's legends" were also added, honoring fans and local heroes connected to the race. In 2012, five more legends were added through a public vote, including:

• Fred Winter, who won two Nationals as a jockey and trained two winners.
• Carl Llewellyn, a jockey who won two Nationals.
• Fred Rimell, a trainer of four different winners.
• Michael Scudamore, a jockey who rode in 16 Nationals and won once.
• Tommy Carberry, a jockey who won in 1975 and later trained a winner.

Three more competitors were also inducted:

• Tommy Pickernell, a jockey who rode in 17 Nationals and won three times.
• Battleship, the only horse to win both the Grand National and the American Grand National, and his jockey Bruce Hobbs.
• George Dockeray, a trainer of four National winners, including the first official one in 1839.

Sponsorship

Since 1984, the Grand National has been sponsored by 5 different companies.

See also

In Spanish: Grand National para niños

• Horse racing in Great Britain
• List of British National Hunt races