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.
Red Rum was an Irish champion Thoroughbred steeplechaser. He achieved an unmatched historic treble when he won the Grand National in 1973, 1974 and 1977, and also came second in the two intervening years, 1975 and 1976. The Grand National is a notoriously difficult race that has been described as "the ultimate test of a horse’s courage". He was also renowned for his jumping ability, having not fallen in 100 races.
Donald "Ginger" McCain was an English horse trainer who led the champion steeplechaser Red Rum to three Grand National victories in the 1970s. A former national serviceman in the Royal Air Force as a motorcycle dispatch rider, he was also a member of the RAF scrambling team.
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 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 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 1962 Grand National was the 116th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 31 March 1962.
The 1961 Grand National was the 115th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 25 March 1961.
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 1957 Grand National was the 111th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 29 March 1957.
The 1955 Grand National was the 109th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 26 March 1955.
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 1951 Grand National was the 105th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 7 April 1951.
The 1950 Grand National was the 104th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 25 March 1950.
The 1949 Grand National was the 103rd renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 26 March 1949.
The 1948 Grand National was the 102nd renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 20 March 1948.
The 1947 Grand National was the 101st renewal of the renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 29 March 1947.
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.
Highlights of the 1940 Grand National (British Pathé)