From the Metro here are 10 facts: It’s one of the sporting events even the casual fan circles on their calendar, but what makes the Grand National a British institution? Here are ten top facts about the great race.
Under starters orders
The first Grand National was held in 1839 but it started in inauspicious circumstances – going off two hours late after confusion over weighing procedures. The aptly named 5-1 favourite Lottery was the winner.
Field of dreams
The 1929 National featured the most starters in the race’s rich history when 66 horses lined up. The smallest field was in 1883 when just ten set off.
Fast show
The fastest ever time is the eight minutes 47.8 seconds recorded when Mr Frisk sluiced home in 1990.
Finishing details
The greatest number of horses to complete the course was 23 in 1984 when Hallo Dandy, ridden by Neale Doughty, was the winner. The smallest number of finishers was in 1928 when Tipperary Tim, a 100-1 outsider, was the first of only two past the post.
Can’t buy a win
Richard Johnson beat the record for the most rides in the Grand National without a win last year when he took part for the 16th time without success. His best effort was second on What’s Up Boys in 2002.
Girls on top
Charlotte Brew was the first female jockey to ride in the race when she was on board 200/1 chance Barony Fort in 1977. Their adventure ended with a refusal at the 26th fence. The best finish by a female jockey was last year when Katie Walsh steered 8/1 chance Seabass into third place.
Major obstacles
The first five Grand Nationals included one jump that was a stone wall, situated where the water jump now stands. Becher’s Brook earned its name when a top jockey, Captain Martin Becher, took shelter after being unseated and said: ‘Water tastes disgusting without the benefits of whisky.’ The Chair is the tallest fence at 5ft 2in.
Horses for courses
Red Rum is the most successful horse, winning three times in 1973, 1974 and 1977. The oldest-winning horse is Peter Simple, who was aged 15 when triumphant in 1853. The youngest winners – all aged five – were Alcibiade (1865), Regal (1876), Austerlitz (1877), Empress (1880), Lutteur III (1909).
Jockeying for position
Brian Fletcher (1968 Red Alligator, 1973 and 1974 Red Rum) shares a 20th-century record with the legendary Jack Anthony (1911 Glenside, 1915 Ally Sloper, 1920 Troytown) with three National winners. Ruby Walsh holds the best record of current jockeys, having won twice, on Papillon in 2000 and Hedgehunter in 2005.
Top trainers
Vincent O’Brien trained three successive winners with Early Mist winning in 1953, Royal Tan successful in 1954 and Quare Times completing the roll of honour in 1955. Jenny Pitman and Venetia Williams are the only women to have trained a Grand National winner. Pitman claimed the race for the first time with Corbiere in 1983 and followed that up with Royal Athlete in 1995. Venetia Williams was successful with Mon Mome in 2009.