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20 unusual facts about Grand National


Darren Owen

Following a decision by the BBC to add a fourth commentator to their Grand National team, Owen joined Jim McGrath, Ian Bartlett and Tony O'Hehir for the 2004 running of the Aintree spectacular - taking the field from Valentine's Brook to the Melling Road.

Following this breakthrough, he began commentating on horse racing for BBC Radio Wales, starting with the 1989 Welsh National won by Bonanza Boy.

David Ogilvy, 12th Earl of Airlie

Lord Airlie owned many racehorses, most notably the steeplechaser, Master Robert, which won the 1924 Grand National in the Earl's colours.

Earl Poulett

The sixth earl was heavily involved in steeplechasing as a racehorse owner whose cerise and blue colours were most famed for being carried to victory twice in the Grand National in 1868 and 1871 by The Lamb.

Fascinator

They are particularly popular at premium horse-racing events, such as the Grand National, Kentucky Derby and the Melbourne Cup.

Jenny Pitman

With Richard's second place prize from the 1969 Grand National, the Pitmans were able to commission a bungalow on the premises to escape the poor condition caravan.

Johnny Broome

In 1848 Broome accepted an offer to compete in the Grand National steeplechase at Aintree.

Monkey Swallows the Universe

The band also released a single from the album, Little Polveir, a song named after a racehorse which was an unlikely winner of the British Grand National.

Moore Hall, County Mayo

His brother, Arthur Augustus, was killed after a fall from the horse Mickey Free during the 1845 Aintree Grand National.

Nat Cohen

His blue colours with white diamond, hooped sleeves and amber cap were carried to victory by Kilmore in the 1962 Grand National.

Neil Channing

He has retained a keen interest in betting, and can often be spotted at big events such as the Grand National and the Cheltenham Festival.

Nick Luck

He has hosted all major events for the channel including the Derby, Grand National and Cheltenham Festival.

Nigel Twiston-Davies

He has trained over 1000 winners under National Hunt rules including two winners of the Grand National with Earth Summit in 1998 and Bindaree in 2002, and the winner of the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup with Imperial Commander.

Thomas Kennedy Laidlaw

He bred Aboyeur, winner of the 1913 Derby, and Gregalach and Grakle, winners of the Grand National in 1929 and 1931 respectively, although he did not own any of them at the time of their wins.

Three Strangers

Since money will make their dreams come true, the three go in on a sweepstakes ticket for the Grand National horse race together and agree that they will not sell the ticket if it is chosen, but will hold onto it until the race is run.

Tim Flock

At the end of the 1952 NASCAR season, Tim Flock had 106 more points than Herb Thomas, earning Flock his first Grand National Championship title, despite flipping in the final race at West Palm Beach.

Toby Balding

He finally retired on the final day of the 2004 Flat season and is one of the few men to have trained the winner of the Grand National, the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Champion Hurdle.

Tracy Piggott

Her great-grandfather Ernest Piggott won the Grand National as a jockey three times, in 1912, 1918 and 1919, while her grandfather Keith Piggott won the Grand National as a trainer in 1963.

William Peel

Captain William Peel, A Victorian steeplechase rider who competed several times in the Grand National

Woodbrook House

The gate and railing at the road were erected after one of the Kirkwoods' horses, also named Woodbrook, won the Grand National in 1881, ridden by Mr Tommy Beasley and trained by Henry Linde.


Alexandre Sap

In 1997 he started his own independent record company Recall Group signing many Artists including The Servant, Jehro, Thomas Dydahl, Grand National, Mylo, Robots in Disguise, Fires Of Rome and Dan Black.

Bindaree

Bindaree is a racehorse who was the winner of the 2002 Grand National when ridden by Jim Culloty and the 2003 Welsh Grand National when partnered by Carl Llewellyn.

Clive Tyldesley

Throughout his time he also commentated on other events such as Rugby League, the Grand National and even the Pope John Paul II's visit to Liverpool.

Desert Orchid

His part-owner Richard Burridge has stated that it was for this reason that Desert Orchid would have struggled in the Grand National: connections felt he could do himself serious injury at the ninety-degree Canal Turn especially on the second circuit (ref. Richard Burridge: The Grey Horse: The True Story of Desert Orchid).

Fabien Moreau

In 2005 he joined independent record company Recall Group signing many Artists including The Servant, Jehro, Thomas Dydahl, Grand National, Mylo, Robots in Disguise, Fires Of Rome and Dan Black.

H. Ryan Price

In 1962, he earned the most important win of his career when Kilmore won the Grand National at Aintree Racecourse.

Henry Beresford, 3rd Marquess of Waterford

Lord Waterford was a keen horseman and in 1840 he entered two horses in the Grand National Steeplechase, regarded today as the most famous race over jumps in the world.

Hugh Molyneux, 7th Earl of Sefton

He was a descendant of William Philip Molyneux, 2nd Earl of Sefton, who founded the Waterloo Cup and the Grand National.

Racewood

They are also sometimes brought in to horse expeditions and shows such as the Grand National, Horse Of The Year Show and the Badminton Horse Trials.

Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk

Impressed by this display of performance, Indianapolis, Indiana's Dick Passwater, a USAC and NASCAR Grand National driver in the 1950s and 1960s, purchased the R3-powered car from Granatelli following the Bonneville runs.

Vicarstown

William Dunne (1843-1915) Ballymanus House owner/breeder of two Irish Derby Winners Soulouque 1879, King of the Bees 1880 and one Grand National Winner 1867 Cortolvin.