The Grand National is a world-famous National Hunt horse race held annually at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England usually during the first week of April. It is the most valuable jump race in Europe, with a prize fund of £1 million in 2019. The race is run over a distance of 4 miles 514 yards (6.907 km), and consists of two laps of the Aintree race course, with the 28 fences of the Grand National course being jumped twice.
History of the Grand National
The Grand National has a long and storied history. It was first run in 1839, and since then it has been held every year with the exception of World War I (1916-1918) and World War II (1941-1945). The event has had many famous winners, including Red Rum (1973, 1974, 1977) and Aldaniti (1981), and its popularity continues to grow.
Are There Grey Horses in the Grand National?
Yes, there are grey horses that compete in the Grand National. Grey horses (also known as roans) have a coat color that is a mixture of black and white hairs, and they can range from a light shade to a dark shade of grey. In the Grand National, grey horses are just as likely to win as any other color of horse.
Success of Grey Horses in the Grand National
Grey horses have had great success in the Grand National. The most notable grey horse to win the Grand National was Red Rum, who won the race three times in the 1970s. Other notable grey horses to have won the race include Aldaniti in 1981, Little Polveir in 1989, and Neptune Collonges in 2012.
Grey Horses in the Last Decade
In the last decade, grey horses have continued to have success in the Grand National. The most recent grey to win the race was Many Clouds in 2015. Other notable grey horses to have competed in the Grand National in the last decade include Mon Mome in 2009, Cappa Bleu in 2011, and Double Shuffle in 2018.
What Are The Odds of a Grey Horse Winning The Grand National?
The odds of a grey horse winning the Grand National are no different to the odds of any other color of horse winning. Grey horses have been successful in the past, and there are no signs that this will change in the future. As with any horse race, the outcome is not guaranteed, and all horses have an equal chance of winning on any given day.
Notable Grey Horses in the Grand National
Red Rum
Red Rum is one of the most famous horses to ever compete in the Grand National. He won the race three times in 1973, 1974, and 1977, and is the only horse to have ever achieved this feat. Red Rum is widely considered to be one of the greatest horses of all time, and his legacy still lives on today.
Aldaniti
Aldaniti was a grey horse that won the Grand National in 1981. He was ridden by jockey Bob Champion, who was diagnosed with cancer shortly before the race. Against all odds, Aldaniti and Champion went on to win the race, and their story captured the hearts of the British public.
Neptune Collonges
Neptune Collonges was a grey horse that won the Grand National in 2012. He was ridden by jockey Daryl Jacob, and his victory was the first for trainer Paul Nicholls since 2001. Neptune Collonges also became the first grey horse to win the Grand National since Red Rum in 1977.
Grey Horses in Other Major Horse Races
Grey horses are not only successful in the Grand National; they have also had success in other major horse races. In the 2019 Cheltenham Gold Cup, the grey horse Al Boum Photo won the race for the second year in a row. Grey horses have also had success in the Grand Prix de Paris, the Irish Grand National, and the King George VI Chase.
Conclusion
Grey horses have had great success in the Grand National, with the most notable being Red Rum in the 1970s and Aldaniti in 1981. In the last decade, grey horses have continued to have success in the race, with Many Clouds winning in 2015. The odds of a grey horse winning the Grand National are no different to any other color of horse, and grey horses have been successful in other major horse races too.