Editing Grand National (section)

==History==

===Founding and early Nationals (1829–1850)===
[[Image:Becher's Brook, 1890.jpg|right|frame|1890 engraving of horses jumping the famous [[Becher's Brook]] fence in the Grand National.]]
{{ external media
| float  = right
| width  = 250px
| video1 = [http://www.britishpathe.com/video/the-aintree-story/ A television item on the history of the Grand National, broadcast in 1969] (British Pathé)
}}

The Grand National was founded by William Lynn, a syndicate head and proprietor of the [[Waterloo Hotel]], on land he leased in [[Aintree]] from [[William Molyneux, 2nd Earl of Sefton]].<ref>[http://www.tbheritage.com/TurfHallmarks/racecharts/Steeplechase/GrandNationalEarly.html Grand National History] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412193356/http://www.tbheritage.com/TurfHallmarks/racecharts/Steeplechase/GrandNationalEarly.html |date=12 April 2010 }}. Tbheritage.com. Retrieved on 11 March 2011.</ref><ref>[http://www.grand-national-world.co.uk/gnw/the_race/history.html The history of the Grand National] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716140155/http://www.grand-national-world.co.uk/gnw/the_race/history.html |date=16 July 2011 }}. Grand-national-world.co.uk. Retrieved on 11 March 2011.</ref><ref name=aintreehistory>{{cite web |url=http://www.aintree.co.uk/pages/history-of-the-grand-national/ |title=History of the Grand National - The Worlds Greatest Jump Race |access-date=4 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202020717/http://www.aintree.co.uk/pages/history-of-the-grand-national/ |archive-date=2 February 2011 }}</ref> Lynn set out a course, built a grandstand, and Lord Sefton laid the foundation stone on 7 February 1829.<ref name=aintreehistory/> There is much debate regarding the first official Grand National; most leading published historians, including John Pinfold, now prefer the idea that the first running was in [[1836 Grand National|1836]] and was won by [[The Duke (racehorse)|The Duke]].<ref name=tbh>{{cite web |last=Mutlow |first=Mick |title=The Birth of The Grand National: The Real Story |publisher=Thoroughbred Heritage |date=15 June 2009 |url=http://www.tbheritage.com/TurfHallmarks/racecharts/Steeplechase/GrandNationalEarly.html |access-date=8 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412193356/http://www.tbheritage.com/TurfHallmarks/racecharts/Steeplechase/GrandNationalEarly.html |archive-date=12 April 2010 }}</ref> This same horse won again in [[1837 Grand National|1837]],<ref>{{cite web|title=From first to last – Race history|publisher=icLiverpool|date=17 June 2009|url=http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0560grandnational/0075news/tm_headline=from-first-to-last-race-history%26method=full%26objectid=11007877%26siteid=50061-name_page.html|access-date=8 April 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614134930/http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0560grandnational/0075news/tm_headline%3Dfrom-first-to-last-race-history%26method%3Dfull%26objectid%3D11007877%26siteid%3D50061-name_page.html|archive-date=14 June 2011}}</ref> while [[Sir William (horse)|Sir William]] was the winner in [[1838 Grand National|1838]].<ref name="the-grand-national.co.uk">[http://the-grand-national.co.uk/history/1836/ Grand National History 1839 – 1836] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221095749/http://the-grand-national.co.uk/history/1836/ |date=21 February 2011 }}. The-grand-national.co.uk. Retrieved on 11 March 2011.</ref> These races have long been disregarded because of the belief that they took place at [[Maghull]] and not Aintree. However, some historians have unearthed evidence in recent years that suggests those three races were run over the same course at Aintree and were regarded as having been Grand Nationals up until the mid-1860s.<ref name=tbh/> Contemporary newspaper reports place all the 1836–38 races at Aintree although the 1839 race is the first described as "national".<ref name="The Skittish Library">[http://www.skittishlibrary.co.uk/the-grand-national-anomaly-1836-1838/ The Grand National Anomaly 1836–1838] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402110240/http://skittishlibrary.co.uk/the-grand-national-anomaly-1836-1838/ |date=2 April 2015 }}. www.skittishlibrary.co.uk. 28 March 2015.</ref> However, calls for the Nationals of 1836–1838 to be restored to the record books have been unsuccessful. 

In 1838 and 1839 three significant events occurred to transform the race from a small local affair to a national event. Firstly, the Great St. Albans Chase, which had clashed with the steeplechase at Aintree, was not renewed after 1838,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sportinglandmarks.co.uk/?author=1&paged=2 |first=Ian |last=Volans |title=BBC SPOTY 2010 – the nominees |publisher=sportinglandmarks.co.uk |access-date=11 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110827190419/http://sportinglandmarks.co.uk/?author=1&paged=2 |archive-date=27 August 2011 }}</ref> leaving a major hole in the chasing calendar. Secondly, the railway, opened from Manchester to Liverpool in 1830, was linked to a line from London and Birmingham in 1839 enabling rail transport to the Liverpool area from large parts of the country for the first time. Finally, a committee was formed to better organise the event.<ref>[http://www.tbheritage.com/TurfHallmarks/Jumphiststeeple.html Steeplechasing Notes] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724100059/http://www.tbheritage.com/TurfHallmarks/Jumphiststeeple.html |date=24 July 2017 }}. Tbheritage.com. Retrieved on 11 March 2011.</ref> These factors led to a more highly publicised race in 1839 which attracted a larger field of top quality horses and riders, greater press coverage, and increased attendance on race day. Over time the first three runnings of the event were quickly forgotten to secure the [[1839 Grand National|1839 race]] its place in history as the first official Grand National. 

The 1839 race was won by rider [[Jem Mason]] on the aptly named, [[Lottery (horse)|Lottery]].<ref name="the-grand-national.co.uk" /><ref name="nostalgia">Haywood, Linda. (4 April 2008) [http://www.popular-nostalgia.com/a-big-long-history-of-the-grand-national-258/ A Big Long History of the Grand National] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006141420/http://www.popular-nostalgia.com/a-big-long-history-of-the-grand-national-258/ |date=6 October 2014 }}. Popular Nostalgia. Retrieved on 11 March 2011.</ref><ref name="grandnationalhistory">{{cite web|url=https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/the-grand-national/about-the-event/grand-national-event-history/|title=Event History|website=www.thejockeyclub.co.uk|accessdate=18 October 2023}}</ref> The Duke was ridden by [[Martin Becher]]. The fence [[Becher's Brook]] is named after him and is where he fell in the race.<ref name="History of Victorian Liverpool">[http://historyofliverpool.com/liverpool-victorian-society/ History of Victorian Liverpool] ''historyofliverpool.com''</ref>

By the 1840s, Lynn's ill-health blunted his enthusiasm for Aintree. Edward Topham, a respected handicapper and prominent member of Lynn's syndicate, began to exert greater influence over the National. He turned the chase into a handicap in [[1843 Grand National|1843]]<ref name=nostalgia/> after it had been a weight-for-age race for the first four years, and took over the land lease in 1848. One century later, the Topham family bought the course outright.<ref name=aintreehistory/>

Later in the century, the race was the setting of a thriller by the popular novelist [[Henry Hawley Smart]].<ref>''Cleverly Won. A Romance of the Grand National. A Novelette'' (London: F. V. White, 1887)</ref>

===War National Steeplechase (1916–1918)===
For three years during the [[World War I|First World War]], while Aintree Racecourse was taken over by the [[War Office]], an alternative race was run at [[Gatwick Racecourse]], a now disused course on land now occupied by [[Gatwick Airport]]. The first of these races, in 1916, was called the Racecourse Association Steeplechase, and in 1917 and 1918 the race was called the War National Steeplechase. The races at Gatwick are not always recognised as "Grand Nationals" and their results are often omitted from winners' lists.<ref>[http://the-grand-national.co.uk/history/1910/ Grand National History 1919 – 1910] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411084944/http://the-grand-national.co.uk/history/1910/ |date=11 April 2015 }}. The-grand-national.co.uk. Retrieved on 11 March 2011.</ref>

===Tipperary Tim (1928)===
On the day of the [[1928 Grand National]], before the race had begun, [[Tipperary Tim]]'s jockey [[Bill Dutton (trainer)|William Dutton]] heard a friend call out to him: "Billy boy, you'll only win if all the others fall down!"<ref name="independent.co.uk">{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing/the-most-memorable-grand-national-moments-1650378.html?action=Gallery&ino=2 | title=The most memorable Grand National moments | location=London | work=The Independent | date=8 April 2011 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925230609/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing/the-most-memorable-grand-national-moments-1650378.html?action=Gallery&ino=2 | archive-date=25 September 2015 }}</ref> These words turned out to be true, as 41 of the 42 starters fell during the race.<ref name="independent.co.uk"/> That year's National was run during misty weather conditions with the going very heavy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greyhoundderby.com/GN1928.htm|title=Grand National 1928|website=Greyhoundderby.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402093209/http://www.greyhoundderby.com/GN1928.htm|archive-date=2 April 2012|access-date=11 April 2011}}</ref> As the field approached the [[Canal Turn]] on the first circuit, [[Easter Hero]] fell, causing a pile-up from which only seven horses emerged with seated jockeys. By the penultimate fence, this number had reduced to three, with Great Span looking most likely to win ahead of [[Billy Barton]] and Tipperary Tim.  Great Span's saddle then slipped, leaving Billy Barton in the lead until he too then fell.  Although Billy Barton's jockey [[Tommy Cullinan]]<ref>[http://the-grand-national.co.uk/history/1930/the-grand-national.co.uk 1930] ''the-grand-national.co.uk''{{Dead link|date=March 2018}}</ref> managed to remount and complete the race, it was Tipperary Tim who came in first at outside odds of 100/1.  With only two riders completing the course, this remains a record for the lowest number of finishers.<ref>[http://the-grand-national.co.uk/history/1920/the-grand-national.co.uk 1920] ''the-grand-national.co.uk''{{Dead link|date=March 2018}}</ref>

===Second World War and the 1950s===
Although the Grand National was run as normal in 1940 and most other major horse races around the world were able to be held throughout [[World War II|the war]], the [[commandeering]] of Aintree Racecourse for defence use in 1941 meant no Grand National could be held from 1941 to 1945.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grandnationalrecords.co.uk/grand-national-chronicle.htm|title=Grand National Chronicle|website=Grandnationalrecords.co.uk|access-date=17 April 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110201933/http://www.grandnationalrecords.co.uk/grand-national-chronicle.htm|archive-date=10 November 2017}}</ref> It recommenced in 1946, when it was run on a Friday, and from 1947 was moved to a Saturday, at the urging of the [[Home Secretary]] [[James Chuter Ede]],<ref>Diary of James Chuter Ede (unpublished, held in the British Library), entry for 5 April 1952.</ref> who thought this would make it more accessible to working people.  It has normally been run on a Saturday ever since.

During the 1950s the Grand National was dominated by [[Vincent O'Brien]], who trained different winners of the race for three consecutive years between 1953 and 1955. Early Mist secured O'Brien's first victory in [[1953 Grand National|1953]]; Royal Tan won in [[1954 Grand National|1954]], and Quare Times completed the Irish trainer's hat-trick in [[1955 Grand National|1955]].<ref>[http://www.grand-national.me.uk/vincentobrien.php Vincent O'Brien ~ Grand National Winning Trainer] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203130226/http://www.grand-national.me.uk/vincentobrien.php |date=3 December 2010 }}. Grand-national.me.uk (9 April 1917). Retrieved on 11 March 2011.</ref>

{{Quote box
 |quote  = '''Oh, that's racing!'''
 |source = [[Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon|The Queen Mother]] on [[Devon Loch]]'s collapse moments from certain victory
 |width  = 25%
 |quoted = 1
 |align  = right
}}

The running of the [[1956 Grand National]] witnessed one of the chase's most bizarre incidents. [[Devon Loch]], owned by [[Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother]], had cleared the final fence in the leading position, five lengths clear of [[E.S.B. (horse)|E.S.B.]] {{convert|40|yd|spell=In}} from what seemed like certain victory, Devon Loch suddenly, and inexplicably, half-jumped into the air and collapsed in a belly-flop on the turf. Despite efforts by jockey [[Dick Francis]], Devon Loch was unable to complete the race, leaving E.S.B. to cross the finishing line first. Responding to the commiserations of E.S.B.’s owner, the Queen Mother famously commented: "Oh, that's racing!"<ref name="grandnational.org.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.grandnational.org.uk/history.php|title=Grand National History since 1839|website=Grandnational.org.uk|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104072019/http://www.grandnational.org.uk/history.php|archive-date=4 January 2017|access-date=10 July 2010}}</ref>

Had Devon Loch completed the race he might have set a new record for the fastest finishing time, which E.S.B. missed by only four-fifths of a second. Many explanations have been offered for Devon Loch's behaviour on the run-in, but the incident remains inexplicable.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/1956/mar/24/grandnational2005.grandnational | location=London | work=The Guardian | title=Devon Loch joins the great failures | date=1 April 2005 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104072258/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/1956/mar/24/grandnational2005.grandnational | archive-date=4 January 2017 }}</ref> The incident became part of the folklore of the event, and by extension British sporting culture. In modern language, the phrase "to do a Devon Loch" is often used to describe a last-minute failure to achieve an expected victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/search.php?q=devon+loch|title=Search Results for 'devon loch' - UsingEnglish.com|website=UsingEnglish.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302205336/http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/search.php?q=devon+loch|archive-date=2 March 2012|access-date=12 July 2010}}</ref>

===Foinavon (1967)===
{{Quote box
 |quote  = '''Rutherfords has been hampered, and so has Castle Falls; Rondetto has fallen, Princeful has fallen, Norther has fallen, Kirtle Lad has fallen, The Fossa has fallen, there's a right pile-up... And now, with all this mayhem, Foinavon has gone off on his own! He's about {{convert|50|,|100|yd|disp=sqbr}} in front of everything else!'''
 |source = Commentator [[Michael O'Hehir]] describes the chaotic scene at the 23rd fence in [[1967 Grand National|1967]]
 |width  = 30%
 |quoted = 1
 |align  = right
}}
In the [[1967 Grand National]], most of the field were hampered or dismounted in a mêlée at the 23rd fence, allowing a rank-outsider, [[Foinavon]], to become a surprise winner at odds of 100/1. A loose horse named Popham Down, who had unseated his rider at the first jump, suddenly veered across the leading group at the 23rd, causing them to either stop, refuse or unseat their riders. Racing journalist [[John Lawrence, 2nd Baron Oaksey|Lord Oaksey]] described the resulting pile-up by saying that Popham Down had "cut down the leaders like a row of thistles".<ref>[http://www.thegamehunter.co.uk/bettingblog/horseracing/foinavon1967grandnational/ Foinavon ~ The 1967 Grand National Winner] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407090210/http://www.thegamehunter.co.uk/bettingblog/horseracing/foinavon1967grandnational/ |date=7 April 2014 }}. Thegamehunter.co.uk (22 February 1999). Retrieved on 11 March 2011.</ref> Some horses even started running in the wrong direction, back the way they had come. Foinavon, whose owner had such little faith in him that he had travelled to Worcester that day instead,<ref>Wood, Greg. (3 April 2009) [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2009/apr/03/joy-of-six-grand-national The Joy of Six: great Grand National moments | Sport | guardian.co.uk] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229035301/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2009/apr/03/joy-of-six-grand-national |date=29 December 2016 }}. Guardian. Retrieved on 11 March 2011.</ref> had been lagging some {{convert|100|yd}} behind the leading pack, giving his jockey, [[John Buckingham (jockey)|John Buckingham]], time to steer his mount wide of the havoc and make a clean jump of the fence on the outside. Although 17 jockeys remounted and some made up considerable ground, particularly [[Josh Gifford]] on 15/2 favourite Honey End, none had time to catch Foinavon before he crossed the finishing line. The 7th/23rd fence was officially named the 'Foinavon fence' in 1984.<ref name="grandnational.org.uk"/><ref>[http://www.grand-national-world.co.uk/gnw/the_race/tales/foinavon.html Foinavon – Grand National Tales] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060827204156/http://www.grand-national-world.co.uk/gnw/the_race/tales/foinavon.html |date=27 August 2006 }}. Grand-national-world.co.uk. Retrieved on 11 March 2011.</ref>

===1970s and Red Rum===
The 1970s were mixed years for the Grand National. In 1973, eight years after Mrs. [[Mirabel Topham]] announced she was seeking a buyer, the racecourse was finally sold to property developer Bill Davies. Davies tripled the admission prices, and consequently, the attendance at the [[1975 Grand National|1975 race]], won by [[L'Escargot (horse)|L'Escargot]], was the smallest in living memory. It was after this that bookmaker [[Ladbrokes]] made an offer, signing an agreement with Davies allowing them to manage the Grand National.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aintree-grand-national.net/grand-national-history.php|title=Aintree Liverpool Grand National History|website=Aintree Grand National|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615001951/http://www.aintree-grand-national.net/grand-national-history.php|archive-date=15 June 2011|access-date=10 June 2011}}</ref>

{{Quote box
 |quote  = '''They're willing him home now! The 12-year-old Red Rum, being preceded only by loose horses, being chased by Churchtown Boy... They're coming to the elbow, just a furlong now between Red Rum and his third Grand National triumph! It's hats off and a tremendous reception, you've never heard one like it at Liverpool... Red Rum wins the National!'''
 |source = Commentator [[Peter O'Sullevan]] describes Red Rum's record third Grand National win in [[1977 Grand National|1977]]
 |width  = 30%
 |quoted = 1
 |align  = right
}}

During this period, [[Red Rum]] was breaking all records to become the most successful racehorse in Grand National history. Originally bought as a yearling in 1966 for 400 [[Guinea (British coin)|guineas]] (£420),<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web |url=http://www.aintree.co.uk/pages/history-of-the-grand-national-red-rum/ |title=Ginger McCain and Red Rum - History of The Grand National |access-date=18 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140803191351/http://www.aintree.co.uk/pages/history-of-the-grand-national-red-rum/ |archive-date=3 August 2014 }}</ref> he passed through various training yards before being bought for 6,000 guineas (£6,300) by [[Ginger McCain]] on behalf of Noel le Mare.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Two days after the purchase while trotting the horse on Southport beach, McCain noticed that Red Rum appeared lame.<ref>{{cite web|title=Grand National History since 1839 {{!}} GrandNational.Org.Uk|url=https://www.grandnational.org.uk/history.php|website=Grandnational.org.uk|access-date=12 April 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413043834/https://www.grandnational.org.uk/history.php|archive-date=13 April 2018}}</ref> The horse was suffering from [[pedal osteitis]], an inflammatory bone disorder.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.horseshoes.com/advice/pathology/dunivant2/pedalosteitis.htm |title=Ginger McCain and Red Rum - History of The Grand National |access-date=10 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930173757/http://www.horseshoes.com/advice/pathology/dunivant2/pedalosteitis.htm |archive-date=30 September 2011 }}</ref>  McCain had witnessed many lame carthorses reconditioned by being galloped in sea-water.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.funtrivia.com/en/subtopics/Red-Rum-Steeplechasing-Legend-257936.html |title=Red Rum: Steeplechasing Legend |access-date=10 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003165522/http://www.funtrivia.com/en/subtopics/Red-Rum-Steeplechasing-Legend-257936.html |archive-date=3 October 2012 }}</ref> He successfully used this treatment on his newly acquired racehorse.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Red Rum became, and remains as of 2018, the only horse to have won the Grand National three times, in [[1973 Grand National|1973]], [[1974 Grand National|1974]], and [[1977 Grand National|1977]]. He also finished second in the two intervening years, [[1975 Grand National|1975]] and [[1976 Grand National|1976]].<ref>[https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/aintree/about/history/ The Grand National History] Aintree Racecourse History, The Jockey Club on 13 September 2018</ref>

In 1973, he was in second place at the last fence, 15 lengths behind champion horse [[Crisp (horse)|Crisp]], who was carrying {{cvt|23|lb|lk=on}}. Red Rum made up the ground on the run-in and, two strides from the finishing post, he pipped the tiring Crisp to win by three-quarters of a length in what is arguably the most memorable Grand National of all time. Red Rum finished in 9 minutes 1.9 seconds, taking 18.3 seconds off the previous record for the National which had been set in [[1935 Grand National|1935]] by Reynoldstown.<ref name="grandnational.org.uk"/> His record was to stand for the next seventeen years.<ref name="grandnational.org.uk"/>

===Bob Champion's National (1981)===
{{Main|1981 Grand National}}
Two years before the [[1981 Grand National]], jockey [[Bob Champion]] had been diagnosed with testicular cancer and given only months to live by doctors. But by 1981 he had recovered and was passed fit to ride in the Grand National.  He rode [[Aldaniti]], a horse deprived in its youth and which had only recently recovered from chronic leg problems.<ref>[http://www.grand-national.me.uk/grandnationalvideos.php Grand National Videos ~ Watch The Greatest Nationals Online] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717163522/http://www.grand-national.me.uk/grandnationalvideos.php |date=17 July 2011 }}. Grand-national.me.uk. Retrieved on 11 March 2011.</ref> Despite a poor start, the pair went on to win {{frac|4|1|2}} lengths ahead of the much-fancied Spartan Missile, ridden by amateur jockey and 54-year-old grandfather John Thorne.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120804064340/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing/the-ten-best-grand-national-moments-1650378.html?action=Gallery&ino=8 1981 A day when the National seems scripted in the stars. Bob Champion, given]. Independent.co.uk (9 April 2010). Retrieved on 11 March 2011.</ref> Champion and Aldaniti were instantly propelled to celebrity status, and within two years, their story had been re-created in the film ''[[Champions (1983 film)|Champions]]'', starring [[John Hurt]].<ref>[http://bet-grand-national.com/aldaniti.html Aldaniti Grand National Legends | Aintree Grand National] {{webarchive|url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20110802141308/http://bet-grand-national.com/aldaniti.html |date=2 August 2011 }}. Bet-grand-national.com. Retrieved on 11 March 2011.</ref>

===Seagram's sponsorship (1984–1991)===
From 1984 to 1991, [[Seagram]] sponsored the Grand National. The Canadian distiller provided a solid foundation on which the race's revival could be built, firstly enabling the course to be bought from Davies and to be run and managed by the [[Jockey Club]]. It is said that Ivan Straker, Seagram's UK chairman, became interested in the potential opportunity after reading a passionate newspaper article written by journalist Lord Oaksey, who, in his riding days, had come within three-quarters of a length of winning the [[1963 Grand National|1963 National]].<ref name=aintreehistory/>  The last Seagram-sponsored Grand National was in 1991. Coincidentally, [[1991 Grand National|the race]] was won by a horse named Seagram. [[Martell (cognac)|Martell]], then a Seagram subsidiary, took over sponsorship of the Aintree meeting for an initial seven years from 1992, in a £4 million deal.<ref name=aintreehistory/>

===The race that never was (1993)===
{{Main|1993 Grand National}}
The result of the [[1993 Grand National]] was declared void after a series of incidents commentator [[Peter O'Sullevan]] later called "the greatest disaster in the history of the Grand National."

While under starter's orders, one jockey was tangled in the starting tape which had failed to rise correctly. A false start was declared, but due to a lack of communication between course officials, 30 of the 39 jockeys did not realise this and began the race.

Course officials tried to stop the runners by waving red flags, but many jockeys continued to race, believing that they were protesters (a group of whom had invaded the course earlier), while [[Peter Scudamore]] only stopped because he saw his trainer, [[Martin Pipe]], waving frantically at him.

Seven horses completed the course, meaning the result was void. The first past the post was Esha Ness (in the second-fastest time ever), ridden by John White, trained by [[Jenny Pitman]] and owned by Patrick Bancroft.<ref name="autogenerated1">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/april/3/newsid_4216000/4216143.stm BBC ON THIS DAY | 3 | 1993: Grand National ends in 'shambles'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307120231/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/april/3/newsid_4216000/4216143.stm |date=7 March 2008 }}. BBC News (3 April 1996). Retrieved on 11 March 2011.</ref><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/apr/03/esha-ness-1993-grand-national 3 April 1993: Esha Ness 'wins' the Grand National that never was | Sport] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104072032/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/apr/03/esha-ness-1993-grand-national |date=4 January 2017 }}. The Guardian. Retrieved on 11 March 2011.</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2jHwZ1JerY 1993 Grand National] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104072135/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2jHwZ1JerY |date=4 January 2017 }}. YouTube. Retrieved on 11 March 2011.</ref><ref>[http://grandnationalanorak.webs.com/theclassof93.htm Grand National Anorak |] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126081550/http://grandnationalanorak.webs.com/theclassof93.htm |date=26 November 2010 }}. Grandnationalanorak.webs.com. Retrieved on 11 March 2011.</ref>

===The Monday National (1997)===
{{Main|1997 Grand National}}
The [[1997 Grand National]] was postponed after two coded bomb threats were received from the [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]]. The course was secured by police who then evacuated jockeys, race personnel, and local residents along with 60,000 spectators. Cars and coaches were locked in the course grounds, leaving some 20,000 people without their vehicles over the weekend. With limited accommodation available in the city, local residents opened their doors and took in many of those stranded. This prompted tabloid headlines such as "''We'll fight them on the Becher's''", in reference to [[We shall fight on the beaches|Winston Churchill's war-time speech]].<ref name=bbcbomb>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/grand_national_2002/1795805.stm BBC Sport | Other Sports | Horse Racing | Grand National 2002 | Aintree grabs the headlines] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060324134135/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/grand_national_2002/1795805.stm |date=24 March 2006 }}. BBC News (28 March 2002). Retrieved on 11 March 2011.</ref> The race was run 48 hours later on the Monday, with the meeting organisers offering 20,000 tickets with free admission.<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/aintree-determined-to-rerun-1265450.html Aintree determined to rerun – Sport] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629152653/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/aintree-determined-to-rerun-1265450.html |date=29 June 2017 }}. The Independent (6 April 1997). Retrieved on 11 March 2011.</ref><ref>[https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19970406/2532501/bomb-scare-cancels-british-horse-race Business | Bomb Scare Cancels British Horse Race | Seattle Times Newspaper] . Community.seattletimes.nwsource.com (6 April 1997). Retrieved on 11 March 2011.</ref>

===Recent history (2004–present)===
[[File:Ballabriggs cropped.jpg|thumb|right|[[Ballabriggs]], the winner of the [[2011 Grand National]].]]
Red Rum's trainer [[Ginger McCain]] returned to the Grand National in [[2004 Grand National|2004]], 31 years after Red Rum's epic run-in defeat of Crisp to secure his first of three wins. McCain's [[Amberleigh House]] came home first, ridden by [[Graham Lee (jockey)|Graham Lee]], overtaking Clan Royal on the final straight. [[Hedgehunter]], who would go on to win in [[2005 Grand National|2005]], fell at the last while leading. McCain had equalled George Dockeray and [[Fred Rimell]]'s record feat of training four Grand National winners.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/3594651.stm BBC Sport | Other Sport | Horse Racing | Amberleigh wins National] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090404000801/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/3594651.stm |date=4 April 2009 }}. BBC News (3 April 2004). Retrieved on 11 March 2011.</ref>

In 2005 [[John Smith's Brewery|John Smith's]] took over from Martell as main sponsors of the Grand National and many of the other races at the three-day Aintree meeting for the first time.<ref name=aintreehistory/>  In 2006 John Smith's launched the [[John Smith's People's Race]] which gave ten members of the public the chance to ride in a flat race at Aintree on Grand National day.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Alan |title=Thousands in running for People's Race |newspaper=[[The Times]] |date=18 June 2009 |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/racing/article2733207.ece |access-date=8 April 2010| location=London}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In total, thirty members of the public took part in the event before it was discontinued in 2010.

In [[2009 Grand National|2009]], [[Mon Mome]] became the longest-priced winner of the National for 42 years when he defied outside odds of 100/1 to win by 12 lengths. The victory was also the first for trainer [[Venetia Williams]], the first female trainer to triumph since [[Jenny Pitman]] in [[1995 Grand National|1995]]. The race was also the first National ride for [[Liam Treadwell]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/7982075.stm BBC Sport – Horse Racing – Mon Mome seals shock National win] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090408012018/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/7982075.stm |date=8 April 2009 }}. BBC News (4 April 2009). Retrieved on 11 March 2011.</ref>

In [[2010 Grand National|2010]] the National became the first horse race to be televised in [[High-definition television|high-definition]] in the UK.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2010/03_march/29/grand.shtml Press Office – 2010 Grand National in HD – a first for UK horse racing] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100411005129/http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2010/03_march/29/grand.shtml |date=11 April 2010 }}. BBC (29 March 2010). Retrieved on 11 March 2011.</ref>

In August 2013 [[Crabbie's]] was announced as the new sponsor of the Grand National. The three-year deal between the alcoholic ginger beer producer and Aintree saw the race run for a record purse of £1 million in [[2014 Grand National|2014]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23852597 |title=Grand National to be sponsored by Crabbie's ginger beer |date=28 August 2013 |work=BBC News |access-date=15 November 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131123022737/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23852597 |archive-date=23 November 2013 }}</ref>

In March 2016 it was announced that [[Randox Health]] would take over from Crabbie's as official partners of the Grand National festival from [[2017 Grand National|2017]], for at least five years.
<ref>{{cite web |title=Cheltenham Festival: Morris keen to take on Thistlecrack again |url=http://horseexchangebettingtips.com/cheltenham-festival-morris-keen-to-take-on-thistlecrack-again/  |website=www./horseexchangebettingtips.com |access-date=5 August 2018 |date=8 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805083203/http://horseexchangebettingtips.com/cheltenham-festival-morris-keen-to-take-on-thistlecrack-again/ |archive-date=5 August 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The sponsorship award was controversial as Aintree's chairwoman, [[Rose Paterson]], was married to [[Owen Paterson]], a [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) who also earns a £50,000 annual fee as a consultant for Randox.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=21 April 2017 |title=Revolving doors |magazine=[[Private Eye]] |location=London |publisher=Pressdram Ltd <!--|access-date=7 May 2017-->}}</ref>

{{anchor|2020}}
The 2020 race was not run owing to the [[COVID-19 pandemic|coronavirus pandemic]]; in its place, a virtual race was produced using [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] technology and based on algorithms of the 40 horses most likely to have competed. The virtual race was won by Potters Corner, winner of the 2019 [[Welsh Grand National]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/horse-racing/52159819|work=[[BBC Sport]]|title=Virtual Grand National 2020: Potters Corner wins televised race|first=Frank|last=Keogh|date=4 April 2020|access-date=4 April 2020}}</ref> (Another computer-generated virtual race was made also, whose runners were many horses who had won the Grand National in past years, each shown with its performance as at its racing prime. Its winner was [[Red Rum]] by less than a length, having just passed [[Manifesto (horse)|Manifesto]].)

In December 2020 Randox Health announced they had extended their sponsorship for a further 5 years which will make them sponsors to 2026.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.randoxhealth.com/randox-extend-grand-national-festival-sponsorship-five-years/|work=[[Randox Health]]|title=Randox Extends Grand National Festival Sponsorship for a Further Five Years|date=22 December 2020|access-date=13 April 2021}}</ref>

In 2021, [[Rachael Blackmore]] became the first female jockey to win the race, on the horse [[Minella Times]].

In 2023, the race was disrupted by the [[Animal Rising]] protests, the first such disruptions since the cancellation of the [[1993 Grand National]] due to a series of false starts and the [[1997 Grand National]] due to the IRA bomb threat.