The top 10 Grand National facts

When was the first Grand National? How long is the race course? Which 100-1 outsiders won? Who was the fastest horse? We reveal all this and more...

By Dave Lancaster |

17:34 04 April 2014

The world's biggest horse racing event is famed for its thrilling races and jockeys and their horses that spectacularly defy the betting odds to bring millions of viewers gripping entertainment.

 

2014's favourite to win big from Aintree's record £1m prize fund was Teaforthree with betting odds of 9-1, but history has proven that outsiders should never be overlooked. 

 

But what are the top 10 Grand National facts? Saddle up and check out our pick of the Aintree event's most jaw-dropping stats, history and trivia: 

 

 

1) The first Grand National was held way back in 1839 It was won by Lottery, a horse that came in at 5-1.

 

2) The course is a long one: four miles, three furlongs and 110 yards with the horses and jockeys jumping 30 fences. 

 

3) The Chair is the tallest (and broadest) fence to jump with a staggering height of 5ft 2in. Plastic frames were introduced in 2013 in a bid to improve safety.

 

4) In terms of attendance, the annual Aintree event attracts 154,000 race-goers over its three day weekend. Around half (77,000) watch the Grand National event itself. But that's nothing compared to the television viewing figures: Nine million watch the Grand National on British television and another 600 million tune in around the world!

 

5) As of 2014, the highest amount of runners is 40. The peak amount was 66 in 1929 making for a very crowded track indeed. 

 

6) A quick trot: The average speed is 30mph and the fastest time around the track was back in 1990 with Mr Frisk’s 8 mins, 47.8 seconds record.

 

7) Red Rum won a record three times in 1973, 1974 and 1977. His legacy is so entwined with the Grand National that the horse was buried at the winning post.

 

8) How many 100-1 outsiders have won the Grand National? In chronological order these are the five that defied the odds: Mon Mome in 2009, Foinavon in 1967, Caughoo in 1947, Gregalach in 1929 and Tipperary Tim in 1928.

 

9) The first female jockey was Charlotte Brew on Barony Fort in 1977. Since then women have become an increasing force in the Grand National as one in three punters are female. In 2012, Katie Walsh (her brother is Grand National winner Ruby Walsh) achieved the best placing by a woman to date coming in 3rd position while riding Seabass.

 

10) Let's talk age: The oldest-winning horse was Peter Simple way back in 1853. He was 15. In terms of jockeys, the Bruce Hobbs (17) was the youngest to win. Hobbs rode Battleship in 1938. The oldest jockey was (then) 48-year-old Dick Saunders - he won in 1982.