A Famous Former Champion

Originally known as the Grand Liverpool Steeplechase, the Grand National has used its current title since 1847 and is widely considered to be the world’s greatest horse racing event. It takes the form of a steeplechase, which is a race that involves jumping over fences. In a typical race, horses jump approximately thirty fences across four miles.

Arguably the most famous horse to have ever competed at the Grand National was Red Rum. Red Rum enjoyed huge success during the 1970’s, coming in first place on three occasions, and second place on two others. No other horse has managed to match this achievement in the decades since, and given reputation of the race to be ‘the ultimate test of a horse’s courage’, it is no surprise that Red Rum’s reputation lives on. He died in 1995 aged thirty, and has been buried by the winning post at Aintree ever since.