The 5 Best Ever Grand National Horse Races

The 5 Best Ever Grand National Horse Races

The United Kingdom's Grand National horse race is arguably the world's most famous horse races. So many Grand Nationals have been deemed classic races. In this article we examine the five most memorable races.

1928 Tipperary Tim

It could be simply folklore, but it is said that before the 1928 race, a friend of William Dutton (the winning jockey) shouted out, "Billy boy, you'll only win if all the others fall down!" By the end of the race, an incredible 40 out of the 42 runners had fallen and Dutton guided Tipperary Tim to a famous 100/1 victory. This 1928 record of only two finishers is still in place today.

1967 Foinavon

The 1967 contest brought back memories of Tipperary Tim's incredible victory in 1928. At the 23rd fence of the Aintree course, Popham Down (whose jockey had been unseated at the 1st fence) veered across the front of the horses and caused a major melee, taking out the majority of the leaders. About 100 yards back, Foinavon's jockey John Buckingham watched the scene and was able to avoid the melee and guide his horse home for a stunning 100/1 win.

1975 L'Escargot

The 1975 race was sadly remembered for its politics rather than the race itself. Property developer Bill Davies had bought the racecourse from the Topham family and proceeded to triple the admission prices. The result was the lowest ever attendance. L'Escargot took the honours but his win was shrouded in rumour that the Grand National could be over. Thankfully, it wasn't!

1977 Red Rum

Following up wins in 1973 and 1974, Red Rum ensured he became the most famous ever Grand National horse by winning the title for the third time in 1977.

1993 Void

The 1993 race shall forever be known as the race that never was. Following one false start, the race was re-started, only for the starting tape to become tangled around jockey Richard Dunwoody. Another false start was called, but 30 of the 39 riders set off around the track, unaware of the decision due to a fault with the false start flag. The race continued as gradually more riders realised, but seven horses completed the entire course. The "winner" was Esha Ness, a 50/1 shot who finished the course in the second fastest time ever an unfortunate honour for the Irish horse and his jockey John White. The Jockey Club declared the race void and announced there would be no re-run. Bookies were forced to return 75m in stakes.

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