The Grand National is a National Hunt horse race held annually at Aintree Racecourse in 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, October (Sunday), November and December.
The 1837 Grand Liverpool Steeplechase was the second of three unofficial annual precursors of a Handicap Steeple-chase, later to become known as the Grand National Steeplechase horse race which took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool on 4 March 1837 and attracted a field of four runners. This race did not carry the prestige of the future Grand Nationals and its status as an official Grand National was revoked some time between 1862 and 1873.
The 1996 Grand National was the 149th official renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase that took place at Aintree on 30 March 1996. It was the first national to run since 3 time winner Red Rum was buried at the winning post following his death the previous October.
The 1989 Grand National was the 143rd renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 8 April 1989.
The 1986 Grand National was the 140th running of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 5 April 1986.
The 1984 Grand National was the 138th official renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 31 March 1984.
The 1882 Grand National was the 44th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 24 March 1882.
The 1978 Grand National was the 132nd renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 1 April 1978. In a close finish between the leading five horses, the winner was Lucius, by about half a length.
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 1966 Grand National was the 120th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 26 March 1966.
The 1938 Grand National was the 97th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 25 March 1938.
The 1937 Grand National was the 96th running of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 19 March 1937. The estimated crowd of 300,000 is believed by the Aintree executive to be a record for the race, though only those who watched from the racecourse proper were charged admission.
The 1934 Grand National was the 93rd renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 23 March 1934.
The 1931 Grand National was the 90th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 27 March 1931.
The 1930 Grand National was the 89th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 29 March 1930.
The 1929 Grand National was the 88th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 22 March 1929.
The 1925 Grand National was the 84th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 27 March 1925.
The 1870 Grand National was the 32nd renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 9 March 1870. This was the fifth and final time George Stevens rode the winner in the Grand National.
The 1851 Grand National was, at the time, the 14th renewal of a handicap steeplechase horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 26 February 1851. However, this was later retrospectively recorded as the 13th official running by the Steeplechase Calendar of 1864 when the race of 1838 was disregarded as official.
Lord Airlie 
Silent highlights of the 1924 Grand National (British Pathé)
