The post-war years put Aintree to the test. Despite the renovations and new audiences, the course experienced economic hard times, putting the future of its premier race into doubt. In 1965, Tophams announced that they were selling the property to a developer. Cries of doom went up in the years following, as fans and critics [...]
- Posted in 06. Horse Racing
Between 1941 and 1945, Aintree was closed once again to be used for military purposes, but this time no replacement track was assigned. Between Bogskar’s win in 1940 and the victory of Lovely Cottage in 1946, the Grand National was suspended for five years. The course was converted for use as a base for U.S. [...]
- Posted in 06. Horse Racing
Moifaa’s Grand National win in 1904 was remarkable in a number of ways. The horse came all the way from New Zealand, but supposedly nearly died when the ship carrying him was struck by a violent storm in the Irish Sea outside Liverpool. As the vessel began to sink, Moifaa could not be loaded into [...]
- Posted in 06. Horse Racing
During the 19th century, The Grand National established its pedigree as the world’s greatest steeplechase, drawing the best horses, the top riders, and the biggest crowds ever seen in the sport. Aintree’s annual event became the scene of high drama and a focal point of national attention. Legends were born that live on even today. [...]
- Posted in 06. Horse Racing
Often referred to as the world’s greatest jump race, England’s annual Grand National Steeplechase is a true test of both horse and jockey. It covers one of the longest distances in closed-circuit horse racing—two laps of a two-and-a-quarter-mile, left-handed turf course marked by 16 challenging fences and travelled by 40 fierce competitors. Hosted at the [...]
- Posted in 06. Horse Racing