Aintree, here in the city of Liverpool, England, is the home of the world's greatest steeplechase, the Grand National, which in recent years has been known as the 'John Smith's Grand National' after it's sponsors
Steeple chasing has always been a big part of Liverpool's heritage, the
first taking place in 1837, when 'The Great Liverpool Steeplechase' took
place at Maghull, some three miles from the present site of Aintree
racecourse. The first ever winner was The Duke
The Great Liverpool Steeplechase moved home to Aintree in 1839, and Captain
Martin Becher christened the now famous brook as he was forced to crawl from
it after a fall
The greatest steeplechaser of all time was Southport trained Red Rum, who
won the Grand National three times, came second twice, as well as winning
the Scottish Grand National
The Grand National continues to be an ever popular event, and draws
thousands of visitors from both home and abroad, and the race is also
televised around the world
The Grand National - Some Notable Dates in History -
1837 The Duke wins the first Grand Liverpool Steeplechase at Maghull
1839 Aintree becomes the new home for the event, with Lottery carrying off
the prize. Captain Becher falls
1847 Matthew records the first Irish trained victory on the day the race is
offficially named The Grand National
1927 Ted Leader rides Sprig to a victory in the first National to be covered
by the BBC
1934 The legendary Golden Miller becomes the only horse ever to win the
Grand National and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in the same season, carrying
12st 2lb to victory in record time
1947 Caughoo beats 56 opponents at a mist shrouded Aintree and is then
accused of only going round once
1967 The year of the horrific pile up at the 23rd. John Buckingham and
complete outsider Foinavon gallop in at 100/1 to win
1977 The incomparable Red Rum rewrites the record books with his historic
third victory
1981 Aldaniti, nursed back from career threatening injury three times, wins
a fairytale National ridden by Bob Chammpion
1982 Dick saunders, at the age of 48, becomes the oldest winning jockey on
Grittar. Geraldine Rees becomes the first woman to complete the course on
Cheers
The Grand National is a British institution, really on a par with the Cup
Final, and the four and a half mile course with it's 30 jumps and 494 yard
run to the winning post, continues to be a growing crowd puller every year
that goes by
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