Royal Athlete
Encyclopedia
Royal Athlete was a British-bred racehorse, whose most famous victory was the 1995 Grand National
at Aintree
when ridden by 24-year-old Irishman, Jason Titley at the generous odds of 40/1.
The horse had been among the favourites for the National two years earlier but fell in a race, which was later declared void due to an unrecalled false start. In 1995 his trainer Jenny Pitman
tried to talk the owners, Gary and Libby Johnson out of running him at Aintree, confessing to the BBC's Des Lynam
in a post race interview that she thought they were "Mad bringing him here 'cause he could win the Scottish National
(scheduled to be run two weeks later) doing triple toeloops." As it was, Royal Athlete was not sent to Ayr
for that race and was retired shortly after his victory.
Royal Athlete returned to Aintree for the next seven years to take part in the parade of champions before passing away in May 2003 at the age of 20.
1995 Grand National
The 1995 Grand National was the 148th official renewal of the famous Grand National steeplechase that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 8 April 1995....
at Aintree
Aintree
Aintree is a village and civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, Merseyside. It lies between Walton and Maghull on the A59 road, about north of Liverpool city centre, in North West England....
when ridden by 24-year-old Irishman, Jason Titley at the generous odds of 40/1.
The horse had been among the favourites for the National two years earlier but fell in a race, which was later declared void due to an unrecalled false start. In 1995 his trainer Jenny Pitman
Jenny Pitman
Jenny Pitman is a former British racehorse trainer and author. She became the first woman to train a Grand National winner, when Corbiere won the race in 1983. She went on to win a second Grand National with Royal Athlete in 1995...
tried to talk the owners, Gary and Libby Johnson out of running him at Aintree, confessing to the BBC's Des Lynam
Des Lynam
Desmond Michael "Des" Lynam, OBE is an Irish television and radio presenter based in the UK.He has hosted television coverage of high profile events for many years...
in a post race interview that she thought they were "Mad bringing him here 'cause he could win the Scottish National
Scottish Grand National
The Scottish Grand National is a Grade 3 National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Ayr, Scotland, over a distance of approximately 4 miles and 110 yards and 27 fences...
(scheduled to be run two weeks later) doing triple toeloops." As it was, Royal Athlete was not sent to Ayr
Ayr Racecourse
Ayr Racecourse at Whitletts Road, Ayr, Scotland, was opened on 1907. The track is a left-handed, oval track, thirteen furlongs in circumference, with a straight run-in of half a mile. There are courses for flat and for National Hunt racing...
for that race and was retired shortly after his victory.
Royal Athlete returned to Aintree for the next seven years to take part in the parade of champions before passing away in May 2003 at the age of 20.