American Grand National Steeplechase
Encyclopedia
The American Grand National was a United States
steeplechase
horse race for Thoroughbred
s sanctioned by the National Steeplechase Association
. It is now known as the Breeders' Cup Grand National Steeplechase
.
It was first held in 1899 at Morris Park in New York
covering a distance 2½ miles. From 1905 to 1958 it was run at Belmont Park
over a distance of 2½ miles except for 1957 and 1958 when it was expanded to 3⅛ miles. From 1959 to 1987 it was run at various courses, including the Saratoga Race Course
in Saratoga Springs, New York
(1971), Fair Hill, Maryland
(1972–78), Charlottesville, Virginia
(1979–87) over varying distances (1960, 1962, 1968 at 3⅛ miles and from 1979 to 1987 at 2¼ miles).
The U.S. Hall of Fame
racehorse Battleship
, a son of Man o' War
, won the American Grand National in 1934 and the English Grand National
in 1938.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
steeplechase
Steeplechase (horse racing)
The steeplechase is a form of horse racing and derives its name from early races in which orientation of the course was by reference to a church steeple, jumping fences and ditches and generally traversing the many intervening obstacles in the countryside...
horse race for Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
s sanctioned by the National Steeplechase Association
National Steeplechase Association
The National Steeplechase Association is the official sanctioning body of American steeplechase horse racing.The National Steeplechase Association was founded on February 15, 1895 by August Belmont, Jr., the first president of The Jockey Club and chairman of the New York State Racing Commission,...
. It is now known as the Breeders' Cup Grand National Steeplechase
Breeders' Cup Grand National Steeplechase
The Breeders' Cup Grand National Steeplechase is an American Grade I NSA sanctioned steeplechase race run each fall over the rolling hills of Moorland Farms in Far Hills, New Jersey. Set over a 2⅝ mile course during the one day Far Hills Races, it has 14 national fences, and a purse of $300,000...
.
It was first held in 1899 at Morris Park in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
covering a distance 2½ miles. From 1905 to 1958 it was run at Belmont Park
Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in Elmont in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, on Long Island adjoining New York City. It first opened on May 4, 1905...
over a distance of 2½ miles except for 1957 and 1958 when it was expanded to 3⅛ miles. From 1959 to 1987 it was run at various courses, including the Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. It opened on August 3, 1863, and is the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the United States. It is typically open for racing from late July through early September.-History:John...
in Saratoga Springs, New York
Saratoga Springs, New York
Saratoga Springs, also known as simply Saratoga, is a city in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 26,586 at the 2010 census. The name reflects the presence of mineral springs in the area. While the word "Saratoga" is known to be a corruption of a Native American name, ...
(1971), Fair Hill, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
(1972–78), Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
(1979–87) over varying distances (1960, 1962, 1968 at 3⅛ miles and from 1979 to 1987 at 2¼ miles).
The U.S. Hall of Fame
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York, to honor the achievements of American thoroughbred race horses, jockeys, and trainers...
racehorse Battleship
Battleship (horse)
Battleship was an American Thoroughbred Racehorse who was the only horse in history to win both the American Grand National and the English Grand National steeplechase races.-Breeding:...
, a son of Man o' War
Man O' War (horse)
Man o' War, is considered one of the greatest Thoroughbred racehorses of all time. During his career just after World War I, he won 20 of 21 races and $249,465 in purses....
, won the American Grand National in 1934 and the English Grand National
Grand National
The Grand National is a world-famous National Hunt horse race which is held annually at Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England. It is a handicap chase run over a distance of four miles and 856 yards , with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits of Aintree's National Course...
in 1938.
External links
- National Sporting Library list of American Grand National winners