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{{Infobox horseraces
|class =
|horse race = Grand National
|image = 2011 Grand National cropped.jpg
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{{Jockey colours header
| name = Grand National}}
| year = 2024
| image1 = File:Owner Mr John P McManus.svg
| alt1 = Emerald green, yellow hoops, white cap
| caption1 = I Am Maximus
| image2 = File:Owner Gigginstown House Stud_royal_blue_cap.svg
| alt2 = MAROON, WHITE star and armlets, ROYAL BLUE cap
| caption2 = Delta Work
| image3 = File:Owner Barry Maloney.svg
| alt3 = Maroon, yellow stars, maroon sleeves, striped cap
| caption3 = Minella Indo
{{Jockey colours collapsible header}}
{{Jockey colours row
| year = 2023
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| caption3 = Gaillard Du Mesnil
}}
▲|}
▲{{Jockey colours collapsible header}}
{{Jockey colours row
| year = 2022
Line 963 ⟶ 975:
}}
{{Jockey colours footer}}
The '''Grand National''' is a [[National Hunt racing|National Hunt]] [[Horse racing|horse race]] held annually at [[Aintree Racecourse]]
The course over which the race is run features much larger fences than those found on conventional National Hunt tracks. Many of these fences, particularly [[Becher's Brook]], [[The Chair (Aintree Racecourse)|The Chair]] and the [[Canal Turn]], have become famous in their own right and, combined with the distance of the event, create what has been called "the ultimate test of horse and rider".<ref name=fencesguide>{{cite web |url=http://www.aintree.co.uk/pages/aintree-helicopter-course-fly-over/ |title=Official Grand National fences guide |publisher=Aintree Racecourse |access-date=8 April 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513224933/http://www.aintree.co.uk/pages/aintree-helicopter-course-fly-over/ |archive-date=13 May 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.sky.com/story/1074850/grand-national-comes-home-without-casualties |title=Grand National comes home without casualties |last1=Powell |first1=Nick |date=6 April 2013 |publisher=Sky News |access-date=8 April 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411062304/http://news.sky.com/story/1074850/grand-national-comes-home-without-casualties |archive-date=11 April 2013 }}</ref>
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}}</ref> Both the BBC and Talksport currently broadcast the race in full.
The most recent running of the race, in [[
The next meeting will take place from 3–5 April 2025.
==History==
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[[Image:Becher's Brook, 1890.jpg|right|frame|1890 engraving of horses jumping the famous [[Becher's Brook]] fence in the Grand National.]]
{{ external media
|
| width = 250px
| video1 = [http://www.britishpathe.com/video/the-aintree-story/ A television item on the history of the Grand National, broadcast in 1969] (British Pathé)
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===Tipperary Tim (1928)===
On the day of the [[1928 Grand National]], before the race had begun, [[Tipperary Tim]]'s jockey [[Bill Dutton (trainer)|William Dutton]] heard a friend call out to him: "Billy boy, you'll only win if all the others fall down!"<ref name="independent.co.uk">{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing/the-most-memorable-grand-national-moments-1650378.html?action=Gallery&ino=2 | title=The most memorable Grand National moments | location=London | work=The Independent | date=8 April 2011 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925230609/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing/the-most-memorable-grand-national-moments-1650378.html?action=Gallery&ino=2 | archive-date=25 September 2015 }}</ref> These words turned out to be true, as 41 of the 42 starters fell during the race.<ref name="independent.co.uk"/> That year's National was run during misty weather conditions with the going very heavy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greyhoundderby.com/GN1928.htm|title=Grand National 1928|website=Greyhoundderby.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402093209/http://www.greyhoundderby.com/GN1928.htm|archive-date=2 April 2012|access-date=11 April 2011}}</ref> As the field approached the [[Canal Turn]] on the first circuit, [[Easter Hero]] fell, causing a pile-up from which only seven horses emerged with seated jockeys. By the penultimate fence, this number had reduced to three, with Great Span looking most likely to win ahead of [[Billy Barton]] and Tipperary Tim. Great Span's saddle then slipped, leaving Billy Barton in the lead until he too then fell. Although Billy Barton's jockey [[Tommy Cullinan]]<ref>[http://the-grand-national.co.uk/history/1930/the-grand-national.co.uk 1930] ''the-grand-national.co.uk''{{Dead link|date=March 2018}}</ref> managed to remount and complete the race, it was Tipperary Tim who came in first at outside odds of 100/1. With only two riders completing the course, this remains a record for the lowest number of finishers.<ref>[http://the-grand-national.co.uk/history/1920/the-grand-national.co.uk 1920] ''the-grand-national.co.uk''{{Dead link|date=March 2018}}</ref>
===Second World War and the 1950s===
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Red Rum's trainer [[Ginger McCain]] returned to the Grand National in [[2004 Grand National|2004]], 31 years after Red Rum's epic run-in defeat of Crisp to secure his first of three wins. McCain's [[Amberleigh House]] came home first, ridden by [[Graham Lee (jockey)|Graham Lee]], overtaking Clan Royal on the final straight. [[Hedgehunter]], who would go on to win in [[2005 Grand National|2005]], fell at the last while leading. McCain had equalled George Dockeray and [[Fred Rimell]]'s record feat of training four Grand National winners.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/3594651.stm BBC Sport | Other Sport | Horse Racing | Amberleigh wins National] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090404000801/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/3594651.stm |date=4 April 2009 }}. BBC News (3 April 2004). Retrieved on 11 March 2011.</ref>
In 2005 [[John Smith's Brewery|John Smith's]] took over from Martell as main sponsors of the Grand National and many of the other races at the three-day Aintree meeting for the first time.<ref name=aintreehistory/> In 2006 John Smith's launched the [[John Smith's People's Race]] which gave ten members of the public the chance to ride in a flat race at Aintree on Grand National day.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Alan |title=Thousands in running for People's Race |newspaper=[[The Times]] |date=18 June 2009 |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/racing/article2733207.ece |access-date=8 April 2010| location=London}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In total, thirty members of the public took part in the event before it was discontinued in 2010.
In [[2009 Grand National|2009]], [[Mon Mome]] became the longest-priced winner of the National for 42 years when he defied outside odds of 100/1 to win by 12 lengths. The victory was also the first for trainer [[Venetia Williams]], the first female trainer to triumph since [[Jenny Pitman]] in [[1995 Grand National|1995]]. The race was also the first National ride for [[Liam Treadwell]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/7982075.stm BBC Sport – Horse Racing – Mon Mome seals shock National win] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090408012018/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/7982075.stm |date=8 April 2009 }}. BBC News (4 April 2009). Retrieved on 11 March 2011.</ref>
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In 2021, [[Rachael Blackmore]] became the first female jockey to win the race, on the horse [[Minella Times]].
In 2023, the race was disrupted by the [[Animal Rising]] protests, the first such disruptions since the cancellation of the [[1993 Grand National]] due to a series of false starts and the [[1997 Grand National]] due to the IRA bomb threat.
==The course==
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;Fence 1 & 17
Height: {{convert|4|ft|6|in|m}}<br />
Often met at great speed, which can lead to several falls, the highest being 12 runners in 1951. The drop on the landing side was reduced after the [[2011 Grand National]]. It was bypassed in both 2019 and 2023 on the final lap, after equine casualties.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/horse-racing/47507315/page/2|title=Grand National Live: Tiger Roll wins.......Live reporting|last=Henson|first=Mike|date=6 April 2019|access-date=10 April 2019}}</ref> The fence was moved 60 yards nearer to the start from the 2024 race, to try to reduce the speed of the field early in the race.<ref name="Guard23">{{cite web |last1=Wood |first1=Greg |title=Grand National changes: 34 runners, first fence moved and no more parade |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/oct/12/grand-national-racing-changes-34-runners-fences-aintree |work=The Guardian |access-date=11 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012094438/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/oct/12/grand-national-racing-changes-34-runners-fences-aintree |archive-date=12 October 2023 |date=12 October 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>
;Fence 2 & 18
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A plain obstacle that leads the runners alongside the canal towards two ditches.
;Fence 11 & 27 – open ditch
Height: {{convert|
;Fence 12 & 28 – ditch
Height: {{convert|5|ft|m|2}}, with a {{convert|5|ft|6|in|m}} ditch on the landing side
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'''Leading owners:'''
* [[James Octavius Machell]] – 3 wins (Disturbance, [[1873 Grand National|1873]]; Reugny, [[1874 Grand National|1874]]; Regal, [[1876 Grand National|1876]])
* Sir [[Charles Assheton-Smith]] (previously Charles Duff) – 3 wins (Cloister, [[1893 Grand National|1893]]
* Noel Le Mare – 3 wins ([[Red Rum]], 1973, 1974, 1977)
* [[Trevor Hemmings]] – 3 wins ([[Hedgehunter]], [[2005 Grand National|2005]]; [[Ballabriggs]], [[2011 Grand National|2011]]
* [[Michael O'Leary (businessman)|Gigginstown House Stud]] – 3 wins ([[Rule The World (horse)|Rule The World]], [[2016 Grand National|2016]]; [[Tiger Roll]], [[2018 Grand National|2018]]
* [[J. P. McManus]] – 3 wins (Don't Push It, [[2010 Grand National|2010]]; Minella Times, [[2021 Grand National|2021]]; I Am Maximus, [[2024 Grand National|2024]])
----
* '''Fastest winning time:''' [[Mr Frisk]] ([[1990 Grand National|1990]]); 8:47.80<ref>{{cite news | title = Mr Frisk and Mr Armytage | newspaper = The Guardian | url = http://sport.guardian.co.uk/grandnational2005/story/0,,1450371,00.html | date = 9 April 1990 | access-date = 7 April 2009 | location = London | first = Richard | last = Baerlein | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080704162058/http://sport.guardian.co.uk/grandnational2005/story/0,,1450371,00.html | archive-date = 4 July 2008 }}</ref>
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! '''Owner(s)'''<br />
! '''[[Starting price|SP]]'''<br />
|-
| I Am Maximus
| [[Paul Townend]]
| [[Willie Mullins]]
| [[J. P. McManus]]
|-
| [[2023 Grand National|2023]]
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| John Proven
|{{odds|25|1}}
▲|-
▲| [[2013 Grand National|2013]]
▲| 11
▲| 10-03
▲|{{odds|66|1}}
|}
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The [[Sex Discrimination Act 1975]] made it possible for female jockeys to enter the race. The first female jockey to enter the race was [[Charlotte Brew]] on the 200/1 outsider Barony Fort in the [[1977 Grand National|1977]] race.<ref>{{cite web|title=GRAND NATIONAL WOMEN|url=http://m.grand-national-guide.co.uk/history_grand_national_women.html|publisher=Grand National Guide|access-date=23 February 2017}}</ref> The first female jockey to complete the race was Geraldine Rees on Cheers in [[1982 Grand National|1982]]. The 21st century has not seen a significant increase in female riders but it has seen them gain rides on mounts considered to have a genuine chance of winning. In [[2005 Grand National|2005]], Carrie Ford finished fifth on the 8/1 second-favourite Forest Gunner. In 2012, [[Katie Walsh (jockey)|Katie Walsh]] achieved what was at the time the best result yet for a female jockey, finishing third on the 8/1 joint-favourite Seabass. In [[2015 Grand National|2015]], [[Nina Carberry]] became the first female jockey to take a fifth ride in the Grand National, her best placing being seventh in [[2010 Grand National|2010]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.grand-national.com/grand-national/grand-national-lady-jockey-female-jockey-women/ |title=grand-national-lady-jockey-female-jockey-women |access-date=23 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110918192339/http://www.grand-national.com/grand-national/grand-national-lady-jockey-female-jockey-women/ |archive-date=18 September 2011 }}</ref> [[Rachael Blackmore]] became the first female jockey to win the Grand National aboard [[Minella Times]] in [[2021 Grand National|2021]].
Professionals now hold dominance in the Grand National and better training, dietary habits and protective clothing have ensured that riders' careers last much longer and offer more opportunities to ride in the race. Of the
* [[Tom Scudamore]] (2001–2022): never in first three in 20 attempts
* [[Aidan Coleman]] (2008–2023): finished second once in 15 attempts
* [[Noel Fehily]] (2001–2017): never in first three in 15 attempts
* David Casey (1997–2015): finished third once in 15 attempts
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* George Waddington (1861–1882): finished second once in 13 attempts
* Walter White (1854–1869): finished second once in 13 attempts
*[[Denis O'Regan (jockey)|Denis O'Regan]] (2007–2022): finished second once in 13 attempts
* [[David Nicholson (horse racing)|David Nicholson]] (1957–1973): never in first three in 13 attempts
* [[Sam Twiston-Davies]] (2010 – present): never in first three in 13 attempts
[[Peter Scudamore]] technically lined up for thirteen Grand Nationals without winning but the last of those was the void race of 1993, which meant that he officially competed in twelve Nationals.<ref>combined year by year Grand National returns from racingpost.co.uk</ref>
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==Horse welfare==
===Statistics===
The Grand National has been described by the [[BBC]] as higher risk than lots of other horse races.<ref>{{cite news |title=Who, what, why: How dangerous is the Grand National? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13034474 |access-date=5 January 2024 |work=BBC |date=2011-04-11}}</ref> According to the British Horseracing Authority, as of 2022, the five-year average fatality rate for jump racing was 0.43%.<ref>{{cite web |title=Making Horseracing Safer |url=https://www.britishhorseracing.com/regulation/making-horseracing-safer/ |website=British Horseracing Authority |access-date=5 January 2024}}</ref> However, the rate for the Grand National over the last ten runnings was more than twice as high, at 1.12%.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Greg |title=This Grand National was an unsettling spectacle for many inside racing's bubble |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/apr/16/animal-rising-grand-national-protest-british-horseracing-authority |access-date=5 January 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=16 April 2023}}</ref>
=== History of fatalities ===
{{main|List of equine fatalities in the Grand National}}
There were no equine fatalities in the main Grand National race for seven years until 2019,<ref>{{cite web |title=The 2014 Grand National |url=https://www.animalaid.org.uk/2014-grand-national/ |website=Animal Aid |access-date=5 August 2018 |date=5 April 2014}}</ref> when one horse died at the first fence.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ostlere |first=Lawrence |date=6 April 2019 |title=Grand National 2019: Willie Mullins' Up For Review dies after falling at first hurdle |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing/grand-national-2019-result-horse-dies-up-for-review-fall-first-hurdle-aintree-a8858181.html%3famp |access-date=6 April 2019 |website=The Independent}}</ref> In 2021, one horse was euthanised after the race after suffering an injury on a flat section between fences.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing/horse-put-down-grand-national-b1829620.html |title=The Long Mile put down after Grand National 2021 |date=10 April 2021 |access-date=1 September 2021 |website=The Independent}}</ref> Two more were euthanised after suffering injuries in the 2022 event. One of the incidents came at fence 3, the other on the gallop between fences 12 and 13.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Greg |title=Eclair Surf becomes second horse to die after Grand National on Saturday |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/apr/10/eclair-surf-becomes-second-horse-to-die-after-grand-national |access-date=10 April 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=10 April 2022}}</ref> There was one fatality in 2023, following a fall at the first fence, and two other horses taken away by ambulance.<ref> {{cite news |title=Grand National: 118 people arrested over protests that delayed start of Aintree race |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/65285510 |website=BBC News |date=15 April 2023 |access-date=15 April 2023}}</ref>
<ref> {{cite news |title=Grand National puts up defiant, united front in the face of animal rights protestors |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/racing/2023/04/15/grand-national-arrest-protests-animal-rising-latest-police/ |website=The Telegraph |date=15 April 2023 |access-date=15 April 2023}}</ref> The involvement of animal rights protesters was questioned after the race. Sandy Thompson, trainer of the fatally injured Hill Sixteen, claimed along with several other racing personalities that the protesters had (directly or
===Organiser changes===
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 School of Veterinary Science|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.<ref name=horsewelfare>[http://www.aintree.co.uk/pages/horse-welfare/ Horse Welfare] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414054040/http://www.aintree.co.uk/pages/horse-welfare/ |date=14 April 2012 }}. Aintree.co.uk. Retrieved on 11 March 2011.</ref><ref name="aintree-grand-national.net">[http://www.aintree-grand-national.net/aintree-racecourse.php Aintree Racecourse – Grand National Fences] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723015953/http://www.aintree-grand-national.net/aintree-racecourse.php |date=23 July 2010 }}. Aintree-grand-national.net. Retrieved on 11 March 2011.</ref><ref name=telegraphwelfare>{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/7572951/Grand-National-2010-Aintree-takes-lead-in-horse-welfare-Horse-Racing.html | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | first=Jonathan | last=Liew | title=Grand National 2010: Aintree takes lead in horse welfare | date=9 April 2010 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613185924/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/7572951/Grand-National-2010-Aintree-takes-lead-in-horse-welfare-Horse-Racing.html | archive-date=13 June 2017 }}</ref> Five vets remain mobile on the course during the running of the race and can initiate treatment of injured fallers at the fence. Additional vets are stationed at the pull-up area, finishing post, and in the surgery.<ref name=telegraphwelfare/>
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Parts of the course were widened in 2009 to allow runners to bypass fences if required. This was utilised for the first time during the 2011 race as casualties at fences 4 and 6 (Becher's Brook) resulted in marshals diverting the remaining contenders around those fences on the final lap.
Some within the horseracing community, including those with notable achievements in the Grand National such as [[Ginger McCain]] and [[Bob Champion]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/9453497.stm |title=BBC Sport – Horse Racing – Grand National: Ginger McCain queries smaller fences |work=BBC News |date=10 April 2011 |access-date=23 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16209064 |title=Grand National: Neptune Collonge Honoured After Horses Die Following Aintree Race | UK News | Sky News |publisher=News.sky.com |access-date=23 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419080107/http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16209064 |archive-date=19 April 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/17735723 |title=BBC Sport – According to Pete trainer wants bigger Grand National fences |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=16 April 2012 |access-date=23 April 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120420045140/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/17735723 |archive-date=20 April 2012 }}</ref> have argued that the lowering of fences and the narrowing of ditches, primarily designed to increase horse safety, has made matters worse by encouraging the runners to race faster.
After the 2023 race, the Jockey Club announced several major changes to the event for 2024, recognising "the need for more substantial updates on several key areas in order to better protect the welfare of racehorses and jockeys".<ref>{{cite web |title=THE JOCKEY CLUB ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO THE RANDOX GRAND NATIONAL AS PART OF RELENTLESS FOCUS ON HORSE WELFARE |url=https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/about-us/media-centre/press-releases/2023/10/the-jockey-club-announces-changes-to-the-randox-grand-national-as-part-of-relentless-focus-on-horse-welfare/#_edn1 |website=The Jockey Club |access-date=5 January 2024}}</ref> This included a reduction in the size of the field for the first time, from 40 to 34 (long called for by welfare campaigners such as the [[RSPCA]]),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cook |first1=Chris |title=RSPCA urges officials to consider cutting numbers in Grand National field |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/apr/08/rspca-want-officials-look-reduction-grand-national-field-size-horse-racing |access-date=5 January 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=8 April 2019}}</ref> as well as infrastructure changes such as moving fences to slow the speed of the race at the start, and further development of pre-race veterinary protocols.
▲Some within the horseracing community, including those with notable achievements in the Grand National such as [[Ginger McCain]] and [[Bob Champion]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/9453497.stm |title=BBC Sport – Horse Racing – Grand National: Ginger McCain queries smaller fences |work=BBC News |date=10 April 2011 |access-date=23 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16209064 |title=Grand National: Neptune Collonge Honoured After Horses Die Following Aintree Race | UK News | Sky News |publisher=News.sky.com |access-date=23 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419080107/http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16209064 |archive-date=19 April 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/17735723 |title=BBC Sport – According to Pete trainer wants bigger Grand National fences |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=16 April 2012 |access-date=23 April 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120420045140/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/17735723 |archive-date=20 April 2012 }}</ref> have argued that the lowering of fences and the narrowing of ditches, primarily designed to increase horse safety, has made matters worse by encouraging the runners to race faster. During the 1970s and 1980s, the Grand National saw a total of 12 horses die (half of which were at Becher's Brook); in the next 20-year period from 1990 to 2010, when modifications to the course were most significant, there were 17 equine fatalities. The [[2011 Grand National|2011]] and [[2012 Grand National|2012 race]]s each yielded two deaths, including one each at Becher's Brook. In 2013, when further changes were made to introduce a more flexible fence structure, there were no fatalities in the race itself although two horses died in run-up races over the same course.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/grand-national/9974805/Grand-National-2013-Little-Josh-becomes-second-horse-to-die-over-the-big-Aintree-fences.html|title=Grand National 2013: Little Josh becomes second horse to die over the big Aintree fences|newspaper=Telegraph|access-date=8 April 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140515064624/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/grand-national/9974805/Grand-National-2013-Little-Josh-becomes-second-horse-to-die-over-the-big-Aintree-fences.html|archive-date=15 May 2014}}</ref><ref name="league1">{{cite web |url=http://www.league.org.uk/news-and-opinion/press-releases/2014/apr/injury-and-fatalities-are-inevitable-during-grand-national-meet |title=Charity warns that until horse welfare is put first, injury and fatalities are inevitable during Grand National meet – League Against Cruel Sports |publisher=League.org.uk |date=3 April 2014 |access-date=8 April 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408212451/http://www.league.org.uk/news-and-opinion/press-releases/2014/apr/injury-and-fatalities-are-inevitable-during-grand-national-meet |archive-date=8 April 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/26128471 |title=BBC Sport – Grand National 2014: Tidal Bay tops Aintree weights |work=BBC News |date=11 February 2014 |access-date=11 February 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305160408/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/26128471 |archive-date=5 March 2014 }}</ref> The animal welfare charity [[League Against Cruel Sports]] counts the number of horse deaths over the three-day meeting from the year 2000 to 2013 at 40.<ref name="league1"/> There were no equine fatalities in the main Grand National race for seven years until 2019,<ref>{{cite web |title=The 2014 Grand National |url=https://www.animalaid.org.uk/2014-grand-national/ |website=Animal Aid |access-date=5 August 2018 |date=5 April 2014}}</ref> when one horse died at the first fence.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ostlere |first=Lawrence |date=6 April 2019 |title=Grand National 2019: Willie Mullins' Up For Review dies after falling at first hurdle |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing/grand-national-2019-result-horse-dies-up-for-review-fall-first-hurdle-aintree-a8858181.html%3famp |access-date=6 April 2019 |website=The Independent}}</ref> In 2021, one horse was euthanised after the race after suffering an injury on a flat section between fences.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing/horse-put-down-grand-national-b1829620.html |title=The Long Mile put down after Grand National 2021 |date=10 April 2021 |access-date=1 September 2021 |website=The Independent}}</ref> Two more were euthanised after suffering injuries in the 2022 event. One of the incidents came at fence 3, the other on the gallop between fences 12 and 13.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Greg |title=Eclair Surf becomes second horse to die after Grand National on Saturday |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/apr/10/eclair-surf-becomes-second-horse-to-die-after-grand-national |access-date=10 April 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=10 April 2022}}</ref> There was one fatality in 2023, following a fall at the first fence, and two other horses taken away by ambulance.<ref> {{cite news |title=Grand National: 118 people arrested over protests that delayed start of Aintree race |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/65285510 |website=BBC News |date=15 April 2023 |access-date=15 April 2023}}</ref>
▲<ref> {{cite news |title=Grand National puts up defiant, united front in the face of animal rights protestors |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/racing/2023/04/15/grand-national-arrest-protests-animal-rising-latest-police/ |website=The Telegraph |date=15 April 2023 |access-date=15 April 2023}}</ref> The involvement of animal rights protesters was questioned after the race. Sandy Thompson, trainer of the fatally injured Hill Sixteen, claimed along with several other racing personalities that the protesters had (directly or in-directly) caused the death of the gelding and were equally responsible for the number of fallers, because the delay they caused to the start, after storming the course close to post time, got the horses worked up and "hyper".<ref name="auto">{{cite news |title='I stroked his neck. I thanked him. I said sorry' |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/horse-racing/65309466 |access-date=29 April 2023}}</ref> The protesters have denied these comments, saying they had every right to break and enter and trespass onto racecourse ground and stage a protest despite officials' orders not to.<ref name="auto"/>
==Grand National Legends==
Line 1,461 ⟶ 1,488:
==Notes==
===Favourites===
In the 71 races of the post-war era (excluding the void race in 1993), the favourite or joint-favourite have only won the race
===Mares===
Line 1,490 ⟶ 1,517:
{{Main|List of female Grand National jockeys}}
Since 1977, women have ridden in 24 Grand Nationals. Geraldine Rees became the first to complete the course, on Cheers in [[1982 Grand National|1982]]. In [[2012 Grand National|2012]] Katie Walsh became the first female jockey to earn a placed finish in the race, finishing third on Seabass. Rachael Blackmore became the first female jockey to win with [[Minella Times]] in 2021.
===International winners===
[[File:Battleship USA horse.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Battleship (horse)|Battleship]] is the only horse to win both the [[American Grand National]] and the English Grand National steeplechase races]]
*{{Flagicon|France}} Two French-trained horses have won the Grand National: Huntsman (1862) and Cortolvin (1867).
*{{Flagicon|USA}} In 1923, Sergeant Murphy became the first U.S.-bred horse to win the race. He is also the joint-second oldest horse to win, at age 13, alongside Why Not (1884).<ref name=nostalgia/> The U.S.-bred [[Battleship (horse)|Battleship]], son of the famous [[Man o' War]], became the first (and so far only) horse to have won both the Grand National (in 1938) and the [[American Grand National]] (which he won four years earlier).<ref name=timeline/> Both [[Jay Trump]] (1965) and [[Ben Nevis (horse)|Ben Nevis II]] (1980) won the [[Maryland Hunt Cup]] before winning the Grand National.
*{{Flagicon|Australia}} Jockey William Watkinson recorded the first riding success for Australia in 1926. He was killed at Bogside, Scotland, less than three weeks after winning the National.<ref name=timeline/>
Line 1,506 ⟶ 1,533:
===Irish winners===
*{{Flagicon|Republic of Ireland}} [[Republic of Ireland|Irish-trained]] horses have enjoyed by far the most success of international participants, with
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
Line 1,553 ⟶ 1,580:
|[[1955 Grand National|1955]]
|Quare Times
|[[Pat Taaffe]]
|[[Vincent O'Brien]]
|100/9
Line 1,628 ⟶ 1,655:
| [[Emmet Mullins]]
| 50/1
|-
| [[2024 Grand National|2024]]
| I Am Maximus
| [[Paul Townend]]
| [[Willie Mullins]]
| {{odds|7|1}} JF
|}
Line 1,650 ⟶ 1,683:
** {{Racing Post|262162|1999|04|10|32|aintree}}, {{Racing Post|276313|2000|04|08|32|aintree}}, {{Racing Post|295995|2001|04|07|32|aintree}}, {{Racing Post|310979|2002|04|06|32|aintree}}, {{Racing Post|326818|2003|04|05|32|aintree}}, {{Racing Post|344211|2004|04|03|32|aintree}}, {{Racing Post|368041|2005|04|09|32|aintree}}, {{Racing Post|398944|2006|04|08|32|aintree}}, {{Racing Post|423603|2007|04|14|32|aintree}}, {{Racing Post|448236|2008|04|05|32|aintree}},
** {{Racing Post|473559|2009|04|04|32|aintree}}, {{Racing Post|497800|2010|04|10|32|aintree}}, {{Racing Post|522853|2011|04|09|32|aintree}}, {{Racing Post|546536|2012|04|14|32|aintree}}, {{Racing Post|571196|2013|04|06|32|aintree}}, {{Racing Post|576664|2014|04|05|32|aintree}}, {{Racing Post|599739|2015|04|11|32|aintree}}, {{Racing Post|642825|2016|04|09|32|aintree}}, {{Racing Post|667345|2017|04|08|32|aintree}}, {{Racing Post|692569|2018|04|14|32|aintree}}
** {{Racing Post|720537|2019|04|06|32}}, {{Racing Post|775757|2021|04|10|32}}, {{Racing Post|802349|2022|04|09|32}}, {{Racing Post|831493|2023|04|15|32}}, {{Racing Post|859301|2024|04|13|32}}
* [[Timeform]]:
** [https://www.timeform.com/horse-racing/result/aintree/2017-04-08/0515/31/6/randox-health-grand-national-handicap-chase 2017] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020012155/https://www.timeform.com/horse-racing/result/aintree/2017-04-08/0515/31/6/randox-health-grand-national-handicap-chase |date=20 October 2017 }}
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