The Grand National's Most Unforgettable Oddities
Thirty-four magnificent thoroughbreds will assemble at the legendary Aintree Racecourse today as the thrilling, unpredictable, and often chaotic Grand National returns to captivate audiences. This historic steeplechase, first run in 1839, is celebrated worldwide for its dramatic four-mile course featuring thirty formidable fences. Beyond the expected highs and lows of competitive racing, the Grand National has also delivered some truly bizarre and inexplicable moments throughout its storied history. As the event takes center stage once again, we revisit seven of the weirdest incidents ever witnessed at this iconic race.
The Mysterious Collapse of a Royal Contender
In the 1956 Grand National, Devon Loch, owned by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, was galloping powerfully down the final straight with a commanding lead. The horse had already secured two victories that season and appeared destined for glory. Just forty yards from the finish line, directly in front of the royal box, something utterly inexplicable occurred. Devon Loch suddenly leaped into the air before crumpling to the ground without tripping or hitting any obstacle. This allowed the runner-up, ESB, to seize victory. The Queen Mother famously remarked, 'Oh that's racing!', but the cause remains unexplained to this day. Experts have speculated about everything from muscle cramps to a potential heart attack, yet the truth behind this spectacular collapse remains one of racing's greatest mysteries.
The Farcical Pile-Up That Created an Underdog Legend
The 1967 Grand National proceeded normally until reaching the twenty-third fence, where chaos erupted. A loose horse triggered a massive pile-up that eliminated most of the leading contenders. Meanwhile, Foinavon, ridden by jockey John Buckingham and carrying outsider odds of 100/1, was trailing at the back of the pack. Buckingham skillfully navigated through the mayhem, finding a narrow gap that propelled his horse to an improbable victory. This remarkable underdog story led to the fence being permanently renamed the Foinavon Fence in honor of that unforgettable moment.
The Race That Never Officially Happened
With £75 million in bets placed and 300 million television viewers watching globally, the 1993 Grand National descended into what BBC commentator Peter O'Sullevan called 'the greatest disaster in the history of the Grand National.' Animal rights protestors initially invaded the course at the first fence, causing disruption. Later, during the start, several riders became entangled in the starting tape, prompting a false start declaration. On the second attempt, the tape wrapped around jockey Richard Dunwoody's neck, yet thirty of the thirty-five riders set off unaware of the recall. Officials frantically waved for them to stop, and while most complied, a small group continued racing. Esha Ness crossed the finish line first, but the race was declared null and void and never re-run, forcing bookmakers to refund £15 million in stakes.
An Unexpected Streaking Incident
The 2011 Grand National featured a record prize purse of £950,000, making it the highest-valued National Hunt race in the United Kingdom. However, the event gained additional notoriety when two friends, Gemma Porter and Louise Van-Marle, decided to strip naked in front of the Aintree crowd. They dodged stewards and made their way onto the course before being apprehended. Both received £80 fines for their antics, which did not prevent Irish horse Ballabriggs from ultimately winning the race.
The Literal Two-Horse Race
Brutal conditions during the 1928 Grand National created one of the most unusual finishes in racing history. Heavy mist and a waterlogged course caused all but one rider to fall from their horse during the event. Amateur jockey William Dutton guided Tipperary Tim to victory, followed by Billy Barton with remounted jockey Tommy Cullinan. No other horse completed the race, setting the record for the fewest finishers in Grand National history. A similar scenario occurred in 2001, where only two riders finished without incident and just two more completed after remounting.
A Bomb Threat That Forced Evacuation
The 1997 Grand National was postponed due to a serious security threat. A caller contacted nearby Aintree University Hospital claiming a bomb had been planted within the racecourse. Minutes later, a similar call using alleged IRA codewords was made to the police control room in Bootle. Authorities took no chances, ordering a full evacuation that sent the Aintree crowd onto the racecourse itself. This unprecedented security measure forced the Saturday race to be rescheduled for the following Monday.
The Jockey Allergic to Horses
In a recent Grand National, jockey Sean Bowen rode the 20-1 shot Three Card Brag while harboring a peculiar secret: he is allergic to horses. Bowen revealed to BBC Sport Wales, 'I still am [allergic to horses] now a little bit, it's a bit of a weird one. If Dad would come in from clipping and there'd be horse hair everywhere, I'd be itching for days. Even now, sometimes if I spend all morning round horses, I'd be sneezing for the rest of the day.' Despite this unusual handicap, Bowen delivered a respectable performance, finishing in eleventh place.
