Aintree Racecourse is a racecourse in Aintree, Merseyside, England, near Liverpool. The racecourse is the venue for the Grand National steeplechase, which takes place annually in April over three days. Aintree also holds meetings in May, October (Sunday), November and December (both Saturdays).
The Aintree Racecourse had suffered three major disruptions in post-war history, starting with the 1993 Grand National due to a series of false starts and no winner was announced, followed by the 1997 Grand National, postponed to Monday because of an IRA bomb threat and the 2023 Grand National was delayed due to Animal Rights protesters.
History of the course
Horse racing was popular in Liverpool from at least Tudor times, In the 18th century Nicholas Blundell organised races on the sands at Crosby.
In 1829, William Lynn, the owner of the Waterloo Hotel in Ranelagh Street, Liverpool, approached the Second Earl of Sefton, William Philip Molyneux, whose nickname was 'Lord Dashalong', about leasing land to organise flat racing.
Lord Sefton liked racing, so he agreed. He laid the foundation stone on 7 February 1829, and placed a container of sovereigns inside the footings. Lynn built a grandstand in time for the first meeting at Aintree racecourse on 7 July 1829, designed by John Foster Jr. The opening race was the Croxteth Stakes over 1 mile 2 furlongs, and was won by Mufti.
By 1839 the aristocracy was taking an interest: Lords Derby, Eglinton, Wilton, Sefton and Lord George Bentinck backed a national racing event at Aintree. The race was named the 'Grand Liverpool Steeplechase' and advertised as being "four miles across country" – though starting and finishing on the established racecourse. There were 29 obstacles, including a stone wall five feet high, and about a mile from the stands a "strong paling, next a rough, high jagged hedge, and lastly a brook about six feet wide." As the runners approached that obstacle, Captain Becher led the field on Conrad, who hit the obstacle hard causing Becher to fall into the brook. As he came out of the brook, Becher is reputed to have said that "water is no damned use without brandy!" Lottery, ridden by Jem Mason, won at 9/1, followed by Seventy-Four and Paulina, both 12/1. The 6/1 favourite, The Nun, failed to finish. There were seventeen runners. That first 'National' attracted a crowd of about 50,000.
In the following years the race became very popular, though William Lynn's health suffered and his interest in racing lessened. Another member of the syndicate, Edward William Topham, who was also a racing handicapper, took over as the leading influence at Aintree. In 1843 he turned the 'National' from a weight-for-age race into a handicap. The race officially became the 'Grand National' in 1847; the following year Topham took on the lease of the course from Lord Sefton.
During the Second World War there was one race won by BOGSCAR in 1940 at Aintree as the course had been requisitioned for use as a storage depot with hundreds of servicemen from the USA being stationed there. The course opened again on 4 April 1946 for the Spring Meeting, with the Grand National being run on the Friday, the second day of the three-day meeting. It was first run on Saturday in 1947.
In 1949 Messrs. Tophams bought the racecourse outright from Lord Sefton after leasing the course for 100 years. To celebrate this purchase, the Topham Trophy, a handicap steeplechase over 2 miles 6 furlongs of the Grand National course was introduced as the main race on the first day of the National meeting.
Most of Aintree's old stands were demolished in 1985, leaving just the County Stand, which is grade II listed. A temporary stand, the Aintree Stand, was erected. The County Stand was renovated and extended in 1988. Three years later the temporary stands were replaced by a permanent one, opened by and named after the Queen Mother.
The course opened in December 1953 with a two-day Yuletide meeting. The benefit of the Mildmay course was that it enabled Aintree for the first time to stage all National Hunt cards. Previously it could hold only flat programmes or mixed meetings of flat and jumps races. The course, a left-handed oval, was a little over 1 mile 2 furlongs round, with eight fences, two of which were used in the Grand National: fence number 13 and 29 in the Grand National, which was the second of the four plain fences in the home straight on the Mildmay Course, and the water jump. There were three fences along the back straight: an open ditch, a plain fence and another open ditch. Races were run over two distances: 2 miles 80 yards, and 3 miles 1 furlong 130 yards. The course was regarded as sharp.
The course was not popular with most trainers, and the races on the Mildmay course attracted small fields. The Mildmay course was used only once at the Grand National meeting, for the Mildmay 'Chase, a race over 2 miles 80 yards for novices, on the second day of the meeting.
In 1975 Bill Davies replaced the spruce fences of the Mildmay course with standard birch fences. The running rails for this course remained in place until 1987.
The Grand National
The Grand National race was run for many years over 4 miles 856 yards (4 miles 3 furlongs 196 yards), then 4 miles 4 furlongs. In 2013 the start was moved 110 yards to keep the horses away from the noise of the crowd before the start. The record for the most victories in the Grand National is held by Red Rum, who won three times in the 1970s, in addition to coming second twice.
Disruptions at the Aintree Racecourse
There were several disruptions at Aintree Racecourse starting with the 1993 Grand National and it was not held because of a series of false starts. The 1997 Grand National was postponed to Monday because of an IRA bomb threat which led the evacuation of 60,000 people and the 2023 Grand National was disrupted by the Animal Rising protesters.
Aintree Racecourse fatalities
The UK animal rights campaign group, Animal Aid, has been monitoring fatalities at racecourses since 2007, and in that time has recorded 75 deaths at Aintree. 51 of these deaths occurred during the April Aintree Festival, 12 of which happened during the Grand National race itself. The horses who died were:
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Year
!Name of Horse
!Cause of Death or Reason for Euthanasia
|-
| align="right" |2026
|Get On George (IRE)
|Broke Leg - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2026
|Gold Dancer (FR)
|Broke Back - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2025
|Lady Motivator (FR)
|Broke Right Hind Leg - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2025
|Celebre dAllen (FR)
|Collapsed - Contracted Fatal Race Related Pleuropneumonia-
|-
| align="right" |2025
|Willy De Houelle (FR)
|Fell - Broke Neck - Dead
|-
| align="right" |2024
|Havana Party
|Pulled Up Early In Race - Reported As Dead
|-
| align="right" |2024
|Sammys Guarantee
|Fell - Dead
|-
| align="right" |2024
|Giovinco (IRE)
|Fell - Injured - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2024
|Pikar (FR)
|Fell - Broke Neck - Dead
|-
| align="right" |2023
|Tellitasitis
|Injured Near-Hind Leg - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2023
|Its Unbelievable
|Broke Down On Bend - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2023
|Hill Sixteen
|Fell - Broke Neck - Dead
|-
| align="right" |2023
|Dark Raven (IRE)
|Fell - Broke Hind Legs - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2023
|Hullnback
|Died From Infection Caused By Racing Injury
|-
| align="right" |2023
|Envoye Special (FR)
|Fell Running Loose - Injured - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2022
|If The Cap Fits (IRE)
|Fell - Injured - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2022
|Eclair Surf (FR)
|Fell - Died From Head Injuries
|-
| align="right" |2022
|Discorama (FR)
|Pulled Up - Injured Pelvis - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2022
|Elle Est Belle
|Collapsed During Race - Dead
|-
| align="right" |2022
|Solwara One (IRE)
|Pulled Up - Injured - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2021
|Bombs Away (IRE)
|Struck Into - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2021
|Justatenner
|Pulled Up - Fatally Injured
|-
| align="right" |2021
|The Long Mile
|Broke Near-Hind Leg - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2021
|Houx Gris (FR)
|Fell - Ran Loose - Fatally Injured
|-
| align="right" |2020
|Looks Like Murt (IRE)
|Broke Hind Leg - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2019
|Its Jennifer (FR)
|Fell- Broke Foreleg Cannon - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2019
|Up For Review (IRE)
|Brought Down - Broke Neck - Dead
|-
| align="right" |2019
|Forest des Aigles (FR)
|Broke Foreleg Before Jumping Fence - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2019
|Crucial Role
|Fell - Injured - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2018
|Positively Dylan
|Fell - Fatally Injured
|-
| align="right" |2018
|Jump For Dough (IRE)
|Hit Hurdle - Broke Foreleg - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2018
|Lilbitluso (IRE)
|Fell - Injured - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2016
|Kings Palace (IRE)
|Pulled Up - Lame - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2016
|Minella Reception (IRE)
|Fell - Dead
|-
| align="right" |2016
|Gullinbursti (IRE)
|Fell - Broke Neck - Dead
|-
| align="right" |2016
|Arzal (FR)
|Injured - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2016
|Clonbanan Lad (IRE)
|Pulled Up - Collapsed - Fatally Injured
|-
| align="right" |2016
|Marasonnien (FR)
|Pulled Up - Collapsed - Fatally Injured
|-
| align="right" |2015
|Benefit Cut (IRE)
|Fell - Fatally Injured
|-
| align="right" |2015
|Rajdhani Express
|Broke Down - Fatally Injured
|-
| align="right" |2015
|Seedling
|Fell - Broke Neck - Dead
|-
| align="right" |2015
|Balder Succes (FR)
|Fell - Injured Shoulder - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2014
|Balbriggan (IRE)
|Broke Down - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2014
|Timesremembered (IRE)
|Fell - Injured - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2013
|Plein Pouvoir (FR)
|Fell - Injured - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2013
|Little Josh (IRE)
|Fell - Broke Shoulder - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2013
|Battlefront (IRE)
|Collapsed and Fatally Injured
|-
| align="right" |2012
|Four Fiddlers (IRE)
|Broke Down Injured - Euthanased
|-
| align="right" |2012
|Massimo (FR)
|Broke Leg on Course before start - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2012
|Pirates Gold (IRE)
|Pulled Up - Broke Knee - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2012
|Synchronised (IRE)
|Fell - Broke Leg Running Loose - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2012
|According To Pete
|Brought Down - Broke Leg - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2012
|Gottany OS
|Broke Down injured - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2011
|Dooneys Gate (IRE)
|Broke Back - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2011
|Ornais (FR)
|Broke Neck
|-
| align="right" |2011
|Bible Lord (IRE)
|Fell - Injured Spine - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2011
|Leos Lucky Star (USA)
|Fell - Fatally Injured
|-
| align="right" |2011
|Inventor (IRE)
|Fell - Injured Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2010
|Private Be
|Collapsed and Died After Race
|-
| align="right" |2010
|Schindlers Hunt (IRE)
|Broke Foreleg - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2010
|Plaisir D Estruval (FR)
|Fell - Broke Neck
|-
| align="right" |2010
|Baba O Curragh (FR)
|Knee Injury - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2010
|Prudent Honour (IRE)
|Fell - Broke Neck
|-
| align="right" |2010
|Pagan Starprincess
|Head Injury
|-
| align="right" |2009
|Stellino (GER)
|Pulled Up Injured - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2009
|Hear The Echo (IRE)
|Collapsed & Died
|-
| align="right" |2009
|Lilla Sophia
|Broke Leg Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2009
|Moscow Catch (IRE)
|Broke Neck
|-
| align="right" |2009
|Exotic Dancer (FR)
|Heart Attack
|-
| align="right" |2009
|Mel In Blue (FR)
|Broke Neck
|-
| align="right" |2008
|Genghis (IRE)
|Fell - Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2008
|McKelvey (IRE)
|Fell-Fatal Injury Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2008
|In The High Grass (IRE)
|Fell-Dead
|-
| align="right" |2008
|Time To Sell (IRE)
|Fell-Dead
|-
| align="right" |2007
|Graphic Approach (IRE)
|Fell-pneumonia/race injury
|-
| align="right" |2007
|Lord Rodney (IRE)
|Brought down-Fatal Injuries Destroyed
|-
| align="right" |2007
|Into The Shadows
|Pulled up-Dead
|}
Notable races
{| class = "sortable" | border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size:90%"
|- bgcolor="#77dd77" align="center"
! style="width:70px" |Month
! style="width:90px" |Meeting
! style="width:80px" |DOW
! Race Name
! style="width:60px" |Type
! style="width:70px" | Grade
! style="width:80px" |Distance
! style="width:50px" |Age/Sex
|-
| rowspan="18" style="text-align:center" |
| rowspan="18" style="text-align:center" |Grand National
| rowspan="7" style="text-align:center" |Thursday
| Manifesto Novices' Chase
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 1
| style="text-align:center" |
| style="text-align:center" |5yo +
|-
| Anniversary 4-Y-O Novices' Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 1
| style="text-align:center" |
| style="text-align:center" |4yo only
|-
| Aintree Bowl
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 1
| style="text-align:center" |
| style="text-align:center" |5yo +
|-
| Aintree Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 1
| style="text-align:center" |
| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
|-
| Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" | Hunter
| style="text-align:center" |
| style="text-align:center" |6yo +
|-
| Red Rum Handicap Chase
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" | Premier Hcap
| style="text-align:center" |
| style="text-align:center" |5yo +
|-
| Nickel Coin Mares' Std Open NH Flat
| style="text-align:center" |NH Flat
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 2
| style="text-align:center" |
| style="text-align:center" |4-6yo
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center" |Friday
| Top Novices' Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 1
| style="text-align:center" |
| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
|-
| Mildmay Novices' Chase
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 1
| style="text-align:center" |
| style="text-align:center" |5yo +
|-
| Melling Chase
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 1
| style="text-align:center" |
| style="text-align:center" |5yo +
|-
| Topham Chase
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" | Premier Hcap
| style="text-align:center" |
| style="text-align:center" |5yo +
|-
| Sefton Novices' Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 1
| style="text-align:center" |
| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
|-
| Champion Standard Open NH Flat Race
| style="text-align:center" |N H Flat
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 2
| style="text-align:center" |
| style="text-align:center" |4-6yo
|-
| rowspan="5" style="text-align:center" |Saturday
| Bridle Road Handicap Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" | Premier Hcap
| style="text-align:center" |
| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
|-
| Mersey Novices' Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 1
| style="text-align:center" |
| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
|-
| Maghull Novices' Chase
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 1
| style="text-align:center" |
| style="text-align:center" |5yo +
|-
| Liverpool Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 1
| style="text-align:center" |
| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
|-
| Grand National
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" | Premier Hcap
| style="text-align:center" |
| style="text-align:center" |7yo +
|-
| style="text-align:center" |
| style="text-align:center" |October Meeting
| style="text-align:center" |Sunday
| Old Roan Chase
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 2
| style="text-align:center" |
| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
|-
| style="text-align:center" |
| style="text-align:center" |November Meeting
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
| Grand Sefton Steeplechase
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" | Handicap
| style="text-align:center" |
| style="text-align:center" |6yo +
|-
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center" |
| style="text-align:center" |December Meeting
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
| Becher Chase
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" | Premier Hcap
| style="text-align:center" |
| style="text-align:center" |6yo +
|-
| style="text-align:center" |Boxing Day
| style="text-align:center" |Boxing Day
| Formby Novices' Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 1
| style="text-align:center" |
| style="text-align:center" |3yo +
|}
Popular culture
Aintree racecourse features in Jump! a novel by Jilly Cooper.
Other events
Motor racing
thumb|250px|The 3 mile Aintree motor racing circuit
Aintree has also been used as a venue for motor racing. The British Grand Prix was staged there on five occasions, in 1955, 1957, 1959, 1961 and 1962. In addition to the Grand Prix, the circuit also held 11 non-championship Formula 1 races, known as the Aintree 200, first won by Stirling Moss in 1954 with the last winner being Jack Brabham, in April 1964.
The only driver to have competed in both horse and motor races at Aintree is Alfonso de Portago, who rode in the Grand National in 1950 and 1952 as well as driving a Ferrari 750 Monza in the Daily Telegraph International Meeting in October 1955. He was set to compete at the 1957 British Grand Prix at Aintree, but he was killed in the Mille Miglia in May of that year.
thumb|right|The Princess Royal Stand
Music
- Michael Jackson concluded the European leg of his 1987–1989 Bad World Tour at the venue on 11 September 1988, to 125,000 people. Also Jackson planned to perform here in 1992 during his Dangerous World Tour, but these plans were cancelled.
- P!nk performed at the venue during her I'm Not Dead Tour on 16 July 2007.
- Kaiser Chiefs and the Chemical Brothers performed in concert at Aintree Pavilion as part of Liverpool Music Week 2007.
Transport links
Aintree racecourse was served by two railway stations: Aintree Racecourse railway station, which opened in about 1890, and Aintree Sefton Arms, which opened in 1849. The racecourse station was last used on Grand National day, 25 March 1961, and closed a year later. Aintree Sefton Arms became Aintree in 1968 and remains open.
References
External links
<!-- Per WP:ELMINOFFICIAL, choose one official website only -->
- Official site of Aintree Racecourse
- Aintree – Description and Image Gallery
- Satellite picture by Google Maps