The Grand National is a National Hunt horse race held annually at Aintree Racecourse, Aintree, Merseyside, England. First run in 1839, it is a handicap steeplechase over an official distance of about 4 miles and 2½ furlongs, with horses jumping 30 fences over two laps. It is the most valuable jump race in Europe, with a prize fund of £1 million in 2017. An event that is prominent in British culture, the race is popular amongst many people who do not normally watch or bet on horse racing at other times of the year.
Aintree Racecourse is a racecourse in Aintree, Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, Merseyside, England, bordering the city of Liverpool. The racecourse is the venue for the Grand National steeplechase, which takes place annually in April over three days. Aintree also holds meetings in May and June, October (Sunday), November and December.
The 1997 Grand National was the 150th official running of the Grand National steeplechase held at Aintree near Liverpool. The race was scheduled to be run on Saturday 5 April 1997, but was postponed by two days to Monday 7 April after a Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) bomb threat forced the evacuation of the course.
Ernest Piggott (1878–1967) was a leading British jump racing jockey, whose family has become one of the leading dynasties in British horseracing. He was three times Champion Jockey and three times Grand National winner. His son, (Ernest) Keith Piggott (1904–1993), was also a leading jump jockey and National-winning trainer, while his grandson was the 11-times British flat racing Champion Jockey, Lester Piggott.
The 1910 Grand National was the 72nd official annual running of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 18 March 1910.
The 1911 Grand National was the 73rd official annual renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 24 March 1911.
The 1980 Grand National was the 134th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 29 March 1980. The race, which carried the title, the World's greatest steeplechase, was won by Ben Nevis, ridden by the American amateur rider Charlie Fenwick. Only 4 horses finished the race out of 30 starters.
The 1979 Grand National was the 133rd renewal of the Grand National horse race, which took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 31 March 1979.
The 1976 Grand National was the 130th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 3 April 1976. The race was won by Rag Trade, who was the fourth winner trained by Fred Rimell and the second winner owned by Pierre Raymond Bessone. Red Rum finished second for the second year in a row. Rimell's fourth winner gave him the outright record for training most National winners which he had previously shared with six other trainers. His record was equalled by Ginger McCain in 2004.
The 1974 Grand National was the 128th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 30 March 1974. The race is famous for the second of Red Rum's three Grand National wins. L'Escargot finished second.
The 1972 Grand National was the 126th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 8 April 1972.
The winner was Well To Do, whose price went down from 33–1 to 14-1 the day before. Former winner Gay Trip was second, and there was a dead-heat for third place.
The 1971 Grand National was the 125th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 3 April 1971.
The 1969 Grand National was the 123rd renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 29 March 1969. Twelve-year-old Highland Wedding, running in his third Grand National, was the winner by 12 lengths. He was ridden by jockey Eddie Harty Sr. for trainer Toby Balding. The favourite was Red Alligator who fell at the 19th fence.
The 1963 Grand National was the 117th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 30 March 1963.
The 1939 Grand National was the 98th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 24 March 1939.
The 1926 Grand National was the 85th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 26 March 1926.
The 1919 Grand National was the 78th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 28 March 1919.
The 1913 Grand National was the 75th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, in 1913.
The 1893 Grand National was the 55th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 24 March 1893.
The 1862 Grand National was the 24th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 12 March 1862.
