William Lynn is the guy accountable for bringing racing to the town of Aintree. Lynn was the proprietor of the Waterloo Lodge, and started racing on the land which he rented from the Earl of Sefton. The main stand started being built in 1829 and after 5 months the first appointment for Flat races was held. They didn’t start hurdle steeple chase racing until 1836, when the original Liverpool Grand Steeplechase was held at Aintree on February 29th. This contest was recognised by some as being the earliest ever English Grand National and was won by The Duke, ridden by Captain Martin Becher. However, the more acknowledged Liverpool Grand Steeplechase of 1839 is identified as the original, and was won by Lottery, ridden by Jem Mason. The event of 1839 was a four miler, across country, and the rule was that ‘no rider to open a gate or ride through a gateway, or more than 100 yards along any street, trail or driftway’.

The racecourse was given over to the MOD in 1915, and after the 1940 National it was again used by the military. Steeple chase racing resumed in 1946 and in 1949 the racecourse was bought by Messrs Topham Ltd; who had rented the place for approximately a century; from the Earl of Sefton for 275,000. Mirabel Topham, an inventive soul, went on to create the Mildmay course and a automobile circuit which held the European Grand Prix and five English Grand Prix.

Bill Davies bought the racecourse in 1973 for 3 million and in 1975 Ladbrokes saved the English Grand National, which was in jeopardy of vanishing, by running and administering it for seven years at a yearly payment of 250,000. In 1983 the racecourse was deemed secure when the Jockey Club bought it.

Aintree is now more fit for purpose with transport links greatly enhanced. In the beginning it could only be reached by rail, but now it is reached by car, coach or air. There is a 6 acre enclosed space for landing by copter or the John Lennon airfield 20 minutes drive away, meaning that those both home and abroad can share in the festivities. Meaning guests to Aintree have a improved experience. Meaning everyone enjoys the English Grand National festival even more.

A lot of the Nationals appeal lies in the challenging conditions of the race. With such a hard race course the chances of a fav doing well are remote! This just makes it more fun for those who watch from the stands. Over the last seventy years only 11 favourites have managed won the National. Recently the fences have been reduced in size to protect the runners and jockeys from getting injured but, despite this, it is still one of the most open races in the UK.

Sea The Stars Finishes On High

Following Sea The Stars’ captivating victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp, it has been questioned whether he is the greatest Flat racehorse ever to have existed. The horse bred from Cape Cross and mare Urban Sea has provided horseracing with one of the greatest horses to ever grace the turf. So it has come as a bit of a shock to hear that he is going to be retired. Some, although well able to admit his brilliance refuse to believe that he is one of the three greatest racehorses of all time. Joe Mercer, a former champion jockey who rode Brigadier Gerard in the early 1970s, is one voice of skepticism. He fears that we are in danger of being swept up in the momentary hype, but he remembers horses such as Galileo who won the King George in 2001. Back then everyone thought that Galileo was the best horse that had ever been seen – and as Mercer affirms: you can’t have a best horse you’ve ever seen every other year! He points out that the horse he rode, Brigadier Gerard won thirteen Group Ones, whereas Sea The Stars has only won six.

Others though have been less hesitant to vilify Sea The Stars. Pat Eddery who rode Dancing Brave to victory in the Prix de l’Arc in 1986 has said that Sea The Stars is ‘up there with the best’, and laughed at the suggestion that he might resent the current champion being regarded by many as a better horse than the one he rode.