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THE GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE
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The Grand National is run every year in late March or early April at Aintree race-course near Liverpool and is without equal in the steeplechasing World. The appeal of the race is not just the thirty daunting fences, the stamina sapping distance or the mamoth number of runners but more the fact that every year it throws up an amazing story.
Aintree was built as a race-course in 1827 by Mr William Lynn, a local hotelier to host flat race meetings and proved instantly popular. Lynn's main agenda may have been to compete with a local business rival who had set up a course at nearby Maghull. By the 1830s Lynn had turned his attentions to hosting a steeplechase meet on the course. A friend of his, Captain Martin Becher was one of the top steeplechase jockeys of the day and often told Lynn of the steeplechases at St Albans and Leamington.
In 1836 Lynn organised his first chase meeting. Controversy reigns over this and the next two races of 1837 & 1838. For over 100 years it has been accepted that these races could not have been run at Aintree and were instead run at nearby Maghull but in recent years a modern crop of historians, keen to put right years of errors about the race, have proved beyond doubt that these were Aintree Nationals. The proof is there in any newspaper library for anyone who chooses to read the reports of the day. Having read these reports myself and their descriptions of the course there is no doubt that they describe Aintree. Sadly, for the moment, Aintree, and one notable historian in particular, refuse to accept the overwhelming evidence laid before them. It is only a matter of time before Aintree once again accepts those first three races as true Nationals.
The pages below list every winner of the race to date and those underlined can be clicked for more detailed information. The work done on these races are not the efforts of one person alone but come from hundreds of hours of many historians trawling through hundreds of old newspapers. Everyone who has got involved with these pages are listed at the bottom of the page. My personal thanks go to all of them for their efforts and mostly for letting me put the results of their hard work and research on these pages.
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1992 PARTY POLITICS
1993 NO RACE-VOID
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1996 ROUGH QUEST
1997 LORD GYLLENE
1998 EARTH SUMMIT
1999 BOBBY JO
2008 COMPLY OR DIE
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Do you consider yourself to be a historian on the National? I am always keen to hear from people with an interest in the history of the race. By all means get in touch. EMAIL
Those who have played a part in the creation of this year by year history are
Steve Porter-year by year newspaper history and compiler. Is researching background information on the connections of each winner and racing colours. Specialises however in the F A cup section of this site.
Mick Mutlow-provided year-by-year accounts. Has extensive knowledge of the early course and is researching a detailed "where they fell guide" Has extensive Grand National information and has been an invaluable source for correcting or confirming details on each race.
John Pinfold-is already a published Aintree author in his own right. His book "Gallant Sport" is a must read for anyone with an interest in the social history of Aintree and the race. Has provided excellent information regarding early jockies and owners colours.
Bob Smith-Has been trawling through old newspapers since 1970 and has all but completed a project in finding the age of every horse that has competed in the National. Has also tracked down the vast majority of trainers whose names had previously been left out of the roll of honour. Is perhaps the most knowledgable, and thankfully approachable historian of the race around at present. Once owned a stake in an entry in 1976 but might not want to be reminded that it fell at the first fence, still got further than any of the rest of those listed here have ever got though.
Derek Gay-Has provided a huge portion of the names of those who rode in each race, as listed on the relevant pages and in doing so has also managed to correct many long standing errors regarding wrongly listed riders or errors in cases where there were two riders with the same surname.
Chas Hammond-Has conducted extensive work on the pre war jockeys and has published a book "JUMP JOCKEYS 1830-1950" This book can be obtained from TCR, 12 Rudd Street, Hoylake, Wirral, Merseyside, CH47 2EA. Chas has supplied details on the winning jockeys pre 1954.
Alan Johnson-Has acted as a researcher on the race in conjunction with official historian Reg Green, to date Mr Green has not corresponded with the site however. Alan has an extensive footage collection of 20th Century Nationals and can also claim credit for finding the grave of the first winning jockey, Martin Becher.
Many thanks also to people who have e-mailed with an interest in one particular National, especially the descendants of jockey, trainers and owners who have provided background information on these people. Also the many village historians who have dug out local history connected with National winners in their area. They are too many to mention but no less a part in the compilation of this section of the site.
Steve Porter June 2003
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