Grand National

The Grand National is the premier horse race over fences in the United Kingdom. Usually held on a Saturday in early April at the Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, the current National race is run over two circuits of the Aintree course, covering four and half miles (7.2 km). The race is a steeplechase in which horses jump 30 fences (16 individuals, 2 jumped only on the first circuit). Some of these have acquired near-legendary status for their severity, particularly Becher's Brook and The Chair, although in recent years this severity has been much reduced due to pressure from various animal cruelty agencies. The National is the centerpiece of a three-day meeting, one of only two run at Aintree in the racing season.

Related Topics:
Horse race - United Kingdom - Aintree Racecourse - Liverpool - Steeplechase - Becher's Brook - The Chair

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There is much debate among historians regarding the first official race held at Aintree and most who have trawled the newspaper libraries of the United Kingdom now prefer the idea that the first running was in 1836 and was won by The Duke. This same horse triumphed again in 1837 while Sir William was the winner in 1838.

Related Topics:
United Kingdom - 1836 - The Duke - 1837 - Sir William - 1838

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The only horse to ever win the Grand National three times was Red Rum who won in 1973, 1974, and in 1977.

Related Topics:
Red Rum - 1973 - 1974 - 1977

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A fictional account of a young girl training the winner of the Grand National by Edith Bagnold was made into a film, National Velvet, starring the young Elizabeth Taylor as the heroine, Velvet Brown. The events surrounding the 1981 National, and the winning jockey, Bob Champion, were also dramatised in the film Champions.

Related Topics:
Edith Bagnold - National Velvet - Elizabeth Taylor - Bob Champion - Champions

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In 1993, the result of the race was declared void after a series of start-line incidents, where the starting tape failed to rise correctly, causing several horses and jockeys to be caught up in it, and were unable to clear the start line. A false start was declared, but lack of communication between course officials meant that seven horses ran the course in its entirety, forcing a void result.

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In 1997, the 150th National, the Saturday meeting was abandoned after two coded bomb threats were received, reportedly from the Irish Republican Army. 60,000 spectators, jockeys, race personnel and local residents were evacuated, and the course was locked down by police. The race was eventually run on the Monday, with the meeting organisers offering free admission. Some 20,000 people were left stranded over the weekend, with cars and coaches locked in the course. With limited accommodation space in the city and surrounding areas, those local residents not affected by the incident opened their doors and took in many of those stranded.

Related Topics:
1997 - Irish Republican Army

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The Grand National is one of ten events reserved for live broadcast on UK terrestrial television under the ITC Code on Sports and Other Listed Events.

Related Topics:
Terrestrial television - ITC Code on Sports and Other Listed Events

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