William Lynn is the chap accountable for bringing steeple chase racing to the community of Aintree. Lynn was the landowner of the Waterloo Inn, and created steeple chase racing on the land which he leased from the Earl of Sefton. The main stand started being constructed in 1829 and after five months the first assembly for Flat races was held. They didn’t start hurdle horse racing until 1836, when the first Liverpool Grand Steeplechase was held at Aintree on February 29th. This steeplechase was recognised by some as being the first ever Aintree Grand National and was won by The Duke, ridden by Captain Martin Becher. However, the more documented Liverpool Steeplechase of 1839 is celebrated as the first, and was won by Lottery, ridden by Jem Mason. The competition of 1839 was a four miler, across country, and the decree was that ‘no rider to open a gate or ride through a opening, or more than 100 yards along any road, footpath or driftway’.

The track was handed over to the War Office in 1915, and after the 1940 National it was again taken over by the army. Horse racing resumed in 1946 and in 1949 the track was purchased by Messrs Topham Ltd; who had leased the property for practically a century; from the Earl of Sefton for 275,000. Mirabel Topham, an innovative soul, went on to create the Mildmay course and a racing car circuit which held the Euro Grand Prix and five British Grand Prix.

Bill Davies purchased the track in 1973 for 3 million and in 1975 Ladbrokes saved the Aintree Grand National, which was in threat of disappearing, by managing and administering it for 7 years at a yearly rent of 250,000. In 1983 the track was deemed safe and sound when the Jockey Club purchased it.

Aintree is now more suitable for purpose with transport links vastly improved. In the start it had been accessed by rail and paddleboat, but now it is reached by car, coach or air. There is a 6 acre field for landing by helicopter or the John Lennon airstrip 20 minutes drive away, merriment. Meaning visitors to Aintree have a superior experience. Meaning everyone enjoys the Aintree Grand National festival even more.

A lot of the Nationals appeal lies in the complicatedness of the race. With such a hard track the chances of a fav doing well are remote! This just makes it more fun for those who watch from the stands. In the last 100 years only eleven favourites have managed won the National. Recently the jumps have been reduced in size to stop the horses and riders from getting injured but, it remains one of the most exciting races in steeple chasing.

Sea The Stars Goes To Stud

Following Sea The Stars’ captivating victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp, it has been questioned whether he is the greatest Flat racehorse ever to have existed. The horse bred from Cape Cross and mare Urban Sea has provided horseracing with one of the greatest horses to ever grace the turf. So it has come as a bit of a shock to hear that he is going to be retired. Some, although well able to admit his brilliance refuse to believe that he is one of the three greatest racehorses of all time. Joe Mercer, a former champion jockey who rode Brigadier Gerard in the early 1970s, is one voice of skepticism. He fears that we are in danger of being swept up in the momentary hype, but he remembers horses such as Galileo who won the King George in 2001. Back then everyone thought that Galileo was the best horse that had ever been seen – and as Mercer affirms: you can’t have a best horse you’ve ever seen every other year! He points out that the horse he rode, Brigadier Gerard won thirteen Group Ones, whereas Sea The Stars has only won six.

Others though have been less hesitant to vilify Sea The Stars. Pat Eddery who rode Dancing Brave to victory in the Prix de l’Arc in 1986 has said that Sea The Stars is ‘up there with the best’, and laughed at the suggestion that he might resent the current champion being regarded by many as a better horse than the one he rode.