Scottish Grand National
Encyclopedia
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 (6,538 metres) and 27 fences. It is a handicap race, and takes place each year in April.
It is Scotland's equivalent of the Grand National
, and is held during Ayr's two-day Scottish Grand National Festival meeting.
. The inaugural winner, The Elk, was owned by the Duke of Hamilton
. The race was initially called the "West of Scotland Grand National", and during the early part of its history its distance was about three miles. It was later extended to 3⅞ miles, and became known by its present title in 1881.
Bogside Racecourse closed in 1965, and the Scottish Grand National was transferred to Ayr the following year. At this point the race was increased to its present length. Several winners of the Scottish Grand National have also won its English counterpart at Aintree
. The first to complete the double was Music Hall, the winner of the 1922 Grand National
. The feat has been achieved more recently by Little Polveir
and Earth Summit
, but the only horse to win both races in the same year was Red Rum
in 1974.
Most successful horse (3 wins):
----
Leading jockey
to have won since 1966 (3 wins):
----
Leading trainer
to have won since 1966 (5 wins):
National Hunt racing
National Hunt racing is the official name given to the sport of horse racing in the United Kingdom, France and Ireland in which the horses are required to jump over obstacles called hurdles or fences...
steeplechase
Steeplechase
Steeplechase may refer to:* Steeplechase, an event in horse racing* SteepleChase, a Danish jazz label* Steeplechase , a 1975 arcade game released by Atari...
in Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
which is open to horses
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
aged five years or older. It is run at 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...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, over a distance of approximately 4 miles and 110 yards (6,538 metres) and 27 fences. It is a handicap race, and takes place each year in April.
It is Scotland's equivalent of the 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...
, and is held during Ayr's two-day Scottish Grand National Festival meeting.
History
The race was first run in 1867 at Bogside Racecourse, near IrvineIrvine, North Ayrshire
Irvine is a new town on the coast of the Firth of Clyde in North Ayrshire, Scotland. According to 2007 population estimates, the town is home to 39,527 inhabitants, making it the biggest settlement in North Ayrshire....
. The inaugural winner, The Elk, was owned by the Duke of Hamilton
William Douglas-Hamilton, 12th Duke of Hamilton
William Alexander Louis Stephen Douglas-Hamilton, 12th Duke of Hamilton, 9th Duke of Brandon, 2nd Duke of Châtellerault KT was a Scottish nobleman.-Biography:...
. The race was initially called the "West of Scotland Grand National", and during the early part of its history its distance was about three miles. It was later extended to 3⅞ miles, and became known by its present title in 1881.
Bogside Racecourse closed in 1965, and the Scottish Grand National was transferred to Ayr the following year. At this point the race was increased to its present length. Several winners of the Scottish Grand National have also won its English counterpart at Aintree
Aintree Racecourse
Aintree Racecourse is a racecourse in Aintree, Merseyside, England.It was served by Aintree Racecourse railway station until the station closed in the 1960s....
. The first to complete the double was Music Hall, the winner of the 1922 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...
. The feat has been achieved more recently by Little Polveir
Little Polveir
Little Polveir was a race horse. He won the 1989 Grand National steeplechase ridden by Jimmy Frost, beating West Tip by seven lengths...
and Earth Summit
Earth Summit (horse)
Earth Summit was foaled in 1988, a son of Celtic Cone who was a winning stayer on the flat and over hurdles. Celtic Cone loved soft ground, as did all of his progeny...
, but the only horse to win both races in the same year was Red Rum
Red Rum
Red Rum was a champion Thoroughbred racehorse who achieved an unmatched historic treble when he won the Grand National in 1973, 1974 and 1977, and also came second in the two intervening years...
in 1974.
Records
Most successful horse (3 wins):
- Couvrefeu II – 1911, 1912, 1913
- Southern Hero – 1934, 1936, 1939
- Queen's Taste – 1953, 1954, 1956
----
Leading jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
to have won since 1966 (3 wins):
- Mark Dwyer – Androma (1984, 1985), Moorcroft Boy (1996)
----
Leading trainer
Horse trainer
In horse racing, a trainer prepares a horse for races, with responsibility for exercising it, getting it race-ready and determining which races it should enter...
to have won since 1966 (5 wins):
- Neville Crump – Wot No Sun (1949), Merryman II (1959), Arcturus (1968), Salkeld (1980), Canton (1983)
- Ken Oliver – Pappageno's Cottage (1963), The Spaniard (1970), Young Ash Leaf (1971), Fighting Fit (1979), Cockle Strand (1982)
Winners at Ayr
- Weights given in stones and poundPound (mass)The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
s; Amateur jockeys indicated by "Mr".Year Winner Age Weight Jockey Trainer 1966 African Patrol 7 10-07 Johnny Leech Robert Fairbairn 1967 The Fossa 10 09-12 Andrew Turnell Fred Rimell 1968 Arcturus 7 10-04 Pat Buckley Neville Crump 1969 Playlord 8 12-00 Ron Barry Ron BarryRon Barry was a professional, British, jump jockey with a career spanning 1960 to 1980s.He won the Bet365 Gold Cup three times in 1971, 1973, and 1974. In 1969, he won the Scottish Grand National, the Massey Ferguson Gold Cup, and the Mackeson Gold Cup...Gordon W. Richards Gordon W. RichardsThis article is about the racehorse trainer. For the jockey, see Gordon Richards----Gordon W. Richards was a British racehorse trainer specialising mainly in National Hunt racing...1970 The Spaniard The SpaniardThe Spaniard was a Thoroughbred gelding racehorse best known for winning the 1970 Scottish Grand National. Out of the mare Perle d'Espagne, he was sired by Sayajirao whose wins included the Irish Derby and St. Leger Stakes,...8 10-00 Barry Brogan Ken Oliver 1971 Young Ash Leaf 7 10-02 Peter Ennis Ken Oliver 1972 Quick Reply 7 09-09 Maurice Barnes Harry Bell 1973 Esban 9 09-11 Jimmy Bourke Robert Clay 1974 Red Rum Red RumRed Rum was a champion Thoroughbred racehorse who achieved an unmatched historic treble when he won the Grand National in 1973, 1974 and 1977, and also came second in the two intervening years...9 11-13 Brian Fletcher Brian FletcherBrian Fletcher is an English Jockey notable for riding the horse Red Rum to win the Grand National in 1973 and 1974 and for second place in 1975. He first won the Grand National at the age of 19, in 1968 riding Red Alligator. He retired in 1976 with head injury...Ginger McCain Ginger McCainDonald "Ginger" McCain was an English National Hunt trainer, perhaps best known for training the legendary horse Red Rum. A successful trainer who won many races, he trained Red Rum on Crosby beach near Liverpool...1975 Barona 9 10-00 Paul Kelleway Roddy Armytage 1976 Barona 10 10-02 Paul Kelleway Roddy Armytage 1977 Sebastian V 9 10-02 Ridley Lamb Harry Bell 1978 King Con 9 09-13 Mr Peter Craggs Graham Renilson 1979 Fighting Fit 7 10-10 Colin Hawkins Ken Oliver 1980 Salkeld 8 10-00 Denis Atkins Neville Crump 1981 Astral Charmer 8 09-10 John Goulding Harry Bell 1982 Cockle Strand 9 09-11 David Dutton Ken Oliver 1983 Canton 9 10-02 Kevin Whyte Neville Crump 1984 Androma 7 10-00 Mark Dwyer Jimmy FitzGerald 1985 Androma 8 10-00 Mark Dwyer Jimmy FitzGerald 1986 Hardy Lad 9 10-00 Micky Hammond Jumbo Wilkinson 1987 Little Polveir Little PolveirLittle Polveir was a race horse. He won the 1989 Grand National steeplechase ridden by Jimmy Frost, beating West Tip by seven lengths...10 10-00 Peter Scudamore Peter ScudamorePeter Scudamore , known universally as 'Scu', is a former jockey and trainer in National Hunt racing. He was an eight-time Champion Jockey , riding 1,678 winners in his career...John Edwards 1988 Mighty Mark 9 10-05 Brian Storey Frank Walton 1989 Roll-a-Joint 11 10-00 Brendan Powell Chris Popham 1990 Four Trix 9 10-00 Derek Byrne Gordon W. Richards Gordon W. RichardsThis article is about the racehorse trainer. For the jockey, see Gordon Richards----Gordon W. Richards was a British racehorse trainer specialising mainly in National Hunt racing...1991 Killone Abbey 8 10-00 Chris Grant Arthur Stephenson 1992 Captain Dibble 7 11-00 Peter Scudamore Peter ScudamorePeter Scudamore , known universally as 'Scu', is a former jockey and trainer in National Hunt racing. He was an eight-time Champion Jockey , riding 1,678 winners in his career...Nigel Twiston-Davies Nigel Twiston-DaviesNigel Twiston-Davies is a British racehorse trainer specialising in National Hunt racing. He is based at stables at Naunton, Gloucestershire....1993 Run for Free 9 11-10 Mark Perrett Martin Pipe Martin PipeMartin Pipe was a racehorse trainer until his retirement in April 2006.The son of a West-Country bookmaker, Pipe was an amateur jockey before turning his attention to training in 1974 at Nicholashayne, Devon, near Wellington, England....1994 Earth Summit Earth Summit (horse)Earth Summit was foaled in 1988, a son of Celtic Cone who was a winning stayer on the flat and over hurdles. Celtic Cone loved soft ground, as did all of his progeny...6 10-00 David Bridgwater Nigel Twiston-Davies Nigel Twiston-DaviesNigel Twiston-Davies is a British racehorse trainer specialising in National Hunt racing. He is based at stables at Naunton, Gloucestershire....1995 Willsford WillsfordWillsford was the oldest horse to win the Scottish Grand National and also won the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter in 1990.He was owned by Arnold Kaplan, Robert Johnson and David Johnson and trained by Jenny Pitman....12 10-12 Rodney Farrant Jenny Pitman Jenny PitmanJenny 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...1996 Moorcroft Boy 11 10-02 Mark Dwyer David Nicholson David Nicholson (horse racing)David Nicholson was a British National Hunt jockey and trainer. He was British jump racing Champion Trainer in the 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons....1997 Belmont King 9 11-10 Tony McCoy Tony McCoyAnthony Peter McCoy OBE , commonly known as A. P. McCoy or Tony McCoy, is a Northern Irish horse racing jockey....Paul Nicholls Paul Nicholls (horse racing)Paul Nicholls is a British National Hunt horse trainer with stables at Ditcheat, Somerset. A relatively successful jump jockey, Nicholls has become the leading National Hunt trainer of his generation, finishing the 2007-2008 season with 155 winners and a record £4 million in prize money...1998 Baronet 8 10-00 Adrian Maguire Adrian MaguireAdrian Maguire, born 29 April 1971 in Kilmessan, County Meath, Ireland, is a racehorse trainer and former jockey.Maguire began his career in Irish pony racing at the age of nine, in which he rode more than 200 winners. In 1990 he rode his first winner under rules, at Sligo, before his first victory...David Nicholson David Nicholson (horse racing)David Nicholson was a British National Hunt jockey and trainer. He was British jump racing Champion Trainer in the 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons....1999 Young Kenny 8 11-10 Brendan Powell Peter Beaumont Peter Beaumont (racehorse trainer)Peter Beaumont is a British racehorse trainer. He retired in 2010 after a 24-year career- References :...2000 Paris Pike 8 11-00 Adrian Maguire Adrian MaguireAdrian Maguire, born 29 April 1971 in Kilmessan, County Meath, Ireland, is a racehorse trainer and former jockey.Maguire began his career in Irish pony racing at the age of nine, in which he rode more than 200 winners. In 1990 he rode his first winner under rules, at Sligo, before his first victory...Ferdy Murphy 2001 Gingembre 7 11-02 Andrew Thornton Andrew ThorntonAndrew Thornton is a National Hunt jockey. He was born on October 28, 1972 in Cleveland and schooled at Barnard Castle School in County Durham. He rides mainly for Caroline Bailey,Seamus Mullins,Henrietta Knight,Ben Pollock and Richard Rowe.as well as for many other trainers. He is not related to...Lavinia Taylor 2002 Take Control 8 10-06 Ruby Walsh Ruby WalshRuby Walsh is the reigning Irish National Hunt champion jockey. He is the second child, and eldest son, of former champion amateur jockey Ted Walsh and his wife Helen.-Success:...Martin Pipe Martin PipeMartin Pipe was a racehorse trainer until his retirement in April 2006.The son of a West-Country bookmaker, Pipe was an amateur jockey before turning his attention to training in 1974 at Nicholashayne, Devon, near Wellington, England....2003 Ryalux 10 10-05 Richard McGrath Andy Crook 2004 Grey Abbey 10 11-12 Graham Lee Graham Lee (jockey)Graham Lee is a successful Irish National Hunt jockey in Great Britain and Ireland. Prior to May 2006, he was the main stable jockey for Howard Johnson, but was replaced by Paddy Brennan, allegedly after a disagreement over his return from an injury. Lee became the main stable jockey and deputy...Howard Johnson 2005 Joes Edge 8 09-11 Keith Mercer Ferdy Murphy 2006 Run for Paddy 10 10-02 Carl Llewellyn Carl Llewellyn 2007 Hot Weld 8 09-09 P. J. McDonald Ferdy Murphy 2008 Iris de Balme 8 09-07 Mr Charlie Huxley Sean Curran 2009 Hello Bud 11 10-09 Paddy Brennan Paddy Brennan (jockey)Paddy Brennan, is an Irish jockey who rode the winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2010.A native of Ardrahan, County Galway, Brennan was a keen GAA player with dreams of becoming a county hurler. He only became involved in horseracing after a neighbour noticed his talent with hunt horses...Nigel Twiston-Davies Nigel Twiston-DaviesNigel Twiston-Davies is a British racehorse trainer specialising in National Hunt racing. He is based at stables at Naunton, Gloucestershire....2010 Merigo 9 10-00 Timmy Murphy Timmy MurphyTimothy James Murphy , commonly known as Timmy Murphy, is a National Hunt jockey who overcame difficult personal problems to win the 2008 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree Racecourse on the horse Comply or Die. He recorded his 1,000th winner at Taunton on 21 January 2010.- References :...Andrew Parker 2011 Beshabar 9 10-04 Richard Johnson Richard Johnson (jockey)Richard Johnson is an English National Hunt jockey.-Background:Johnson comes from a racing family with his father being an amateur jockey and his mother, Sue Johnson, a successful trainer.-Jockey career:...Tim Vaughan
Winners at Bogside
* There were only two runners in 1891 – neither could clear the second fence and there was no winner.External links
- pedigreequery.com – Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase – Ayr.
- racenewsonline.co.uk – Racenews Archive (April 12, 2002).
- tbheritage.com – Scottish Grand National.