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 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 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 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 1975 Grand National was the 129th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 5 April 1975. The race was won by 13/2 second-favourite L'Escargot, ridden by Tommy Carberry, in a time of nine minutes and 31.1 seconds and by a distance of 15 lengths over 7/2 favourite Red Rum, who was thus denied a third consecutive win.
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 1964 Grand National was the 118th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 21 March 1964. Thirty-three horses ran and the race was won narrowly by American-owned 12-year-old Team Spirit, at odds of 18/1. He was ridden by jockey Willie Robinson and trained by Fulke Walwyn.
The 1959 Grand National was the 113th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, on 21 March 1959.
The 1952 Grand National was the 106th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 5 April 1952.
The 1946 Grand National was the 100th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 5 April 1946. It was the first true Aintree Grand National since 1940 due to World War II. It was the last Grand National to take place on a Friday, which had been the traditional day for the race since 1876.
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 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 1927 Grand National was the 86th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 25 March 1927.
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 1924 Grand National was the 83rd renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 28 March 1924.
The 1923 Grand National was the 82nd renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool on 23 March 1923.
The 1921 Grand National was the 80th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 18 March 1921.
The 1855 Grand National was the 17th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 7 March 1855.
Highlights of the 1931 Grand National (British Pathé)
