Irish Grand National

The Irish Grand National is a National Hunt steeplechase in Ireland which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Fairyhouse over a distance of about 3 miles and 5 furlongs (5,834 metres), and during its running there are twenty-four fences to be jumped. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year on Easter Monday.

This article is about the horse race. For the greyhound race, see Grand National (Irish greyhounds).
Irish Grand National
Grade A race
LocationFairyhouse
County Meath, Ireland
Inaugurated1870
Race typeSteeplechase
SponsorBoylesports
WebsiteFairyhouse
Race information
Distance3m 5f (5,834 metres)
SurfaceTurf
TrackRight-handed
QualificationFive-years-old and up
WeightHandicap
Purse€500,000 (2019)
1st: €270,000
Irish Grand National Chase
2022
Royal blue and white diabolo, check cap Maroon, white star and armlets, blue cap Yellow and black check, yellow sleeves, black star on cap
Lord Lariat Frontal Assault Gaillard Du Mesnil
Previous years
2021
Yellow, maroon braces, quartered cap Maroon, white star and armlet, maroon cap, white star Yellow, dark green epaulettes, white sleeves, dark green armlet, yellow cap, dark green star
Freewheelin Dylan Run Wild Fred Enjoy D'allen
2020-2011
2019
Pink, light green spots, pink sleeves and cap Red, black seams, black and red check sleeves, black cap, red star Red, white chevron, red and white halved sleeves, blue cap
Burrows Saint Isleofhopendreams Acapella Bourgeois
2018
Maroon, white star and armlets, red cap Red, black seams, black and red check sleeves, black cap, red star Yellow, maroon stars, yellow and emerald green hooped sleeves and cap
General Principle Isleofhopendreams Forever Gold
2017
White, emerald green star, striped sleeves, white cap, emerald green stars Mauve and white hoops, halved sleeves, mauve cap White and emerald green hoops, emerald green chevrons on sleeves, emerald green star on cap
Our Duke Bless The Wings Abolitionist
2016
Maroon, white star and armlet, royal blue cap Mauve and white hoops, halved sleeves, mauve cap Orange, purple cross sashes, quartered cap
Rogue Angel Bless The Wings Ballyadam Approach
2015
Maroon, white star, armlets and cap Maroon, white star and armlet, maroon cap, white star Emerald Green, yellow chevron and sleeves, purple cap
Thunder And Roses Rule The World Sizing Coal
2014
Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap White, gold hoop, black cap Royal blue and yellow stripes, quartered cap
Shutthefrontdoor Golden Wonder Saoirse Dun
2013
Royal blue and white chevrons, royal blue cap, white star Emerald green, yellow cross sashes, striped cap Maroon and white stripes, maroon cap, white hoop
Liberty Counsel Away We Go Home Farm
2012
Red and black halved, diabolo on sleeves, quartered cap Dark blue, emerald green seams, white cap Emerald green and orange hoops, white cap
Lion Na Bearnai Out Now Alfie Sherrin
2011
Blue, primrose striped sleeves and cap Emerald green, royal blue chevrons on sleeves, em green cap, royal blue star Emerald green and orange hoops, white cap
Organisedconfusion Western Charmer Sunnyhillboy
2010-2001
2010
Royal blue, yellow star, white sleeves, white cap, royal blue star Royal blue, red epaulettes, red slvs,royal blue spots,red cap,royal blue spots Orange, dark blue braces, halved sleeves, dark blue cap, orange spots
Bluesea Cracker Oscar Time Whatuthink
2009
ORANGE, Royal Blue quartered, Orange sleeves and Royal Blue hoop, Orange cap and Royal Blue quartered Yellow, emerald green seams, green cap Black, royal blue chevron and sleeves, black cap
Niche Market Church Island A New Story
2008
MAROON, white star and armlet, maroon cap, white star LIGHT BLUE, red stars, light blue sleeves, emerald green cap Pink, white hoop, Royal blue cap
Hear The Echo Royal County Star Notre Pere
2007
Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap Red and yellow diamonds, red sleeves, yellow stars, red cap MAROON and YELLOW STRIPES, yellow sleeves, yellow cap, emerald green spots
Butler's Cabin Nine De Sivola American Jennie
2006
Grey, Purple seams, quartered cap Yellow, Red diamond, Yellow cap, Black spots Black, royal blue chevron and sleeves
Point Barrow Oulart A New Story
2005
Emerald green, black sleeves, white cap PINK, royal blue triple diamond and diamonds on sleeves, white cap WHITE, cyclamen sash, cyclamen cap, white hoop
Numbersixvalverde Jack High Marcus Du Berlais
2004
Red and White diamonds, Royal Blue sleeves, Royal Blue cap, Red diamond WHITE, cyclamen sash, cyclamen cap, white hoop Yellow, red sleeves, blue cap, red star
Granit d'Estruval Marcus Du Berlais Golden Storm
2003
White, green chevrons, hooped cap Red, yellow cross sashes, yellow armlet, yellow star on cap ORANGE, dark blue braces, halved sleeves, orange cap, dark blue spots
Timbera Knock Knock Winning Dream
2002
PURPLE and MAUVE CHEVRONS, mauve cap Grey, maroon triple diamond and seams on sleeves, grey cap, maroon diamonds Royal blue and white chevrons, royal blue cap, white diamonds
The Bunny Boiler Give Over Northern Sound
2001
Red, white stripe, striped sleeves, checked cap Red, black stars and sleeves, green cap Claret, grey disc and armlets, quartered cap
Davids Lad Rathbawn Prince Sheltering
2000-1991
2000
WHITE,dark blue hoop,white sleeves,dark blue armlet,white cap,dark blue star BLACK and WHITE HOOPS, emerald green cap, white star EMERALD GREEN, white disc and sleeves, yellow and red striped cap
Commanche Court Foxchapel King Irish Light
1999
Black, white chevron and sleeves, green and blue striped cap Royal Blue, White Stars, Red cap Pink, purple sleeves wth pink spots, pink cap, purple spots
Glebe Lad Feathered Leader Manus The Man
1998
Red, yellow cross of lorraine and sleeves, green and yellow striped cap Emerald green, light blue seams, emGreen sleeves, emGreen cap,light blue star Royal blue, red chevrons, white sleeves, blue cap, red hoops
Bobbyjo Papillon Call It A Day
1997
Yellow, green star, striped sleeves, striped cap Yellow, brown sleeves and cap Macduff Tartan, White sleeves, Red cap
Mudahim Amble Speedy The Grey Monk
1996
Yellow and white stripes, yellow sleeves, white cap Emerald green, black sash, black and white hooped sleeves, black and white hooped cap Dark blue, white stripe and sleeves
Feathered Gale Jodami Cool Dawn
1995
Orange, white seams, grey sleeves, white stars, orange cap, white stars Blue, orange sleeves, purple and green striped cap Red, yellow seams and cap
Flashing Steel Rust Never Sleeps Feathered Gale
1994
Pink, black hoop and armlets, striped cap Green, red diamond, diamonds on sleeves and cap Maroon, light green sleeves, black cap, green star
Son Of War Nuaffe Ebony Jane
1993
Maroon, light green sleeves, black cap, green star Blue, orange sleeves, purple and green striped cap Black and Yellow check, Black sleeves, Yellow armlets and cap
Ebony Jane Rust Never Sleeps Zeta's Lad
1992
Pink, maroon diamonds, spots on sleeves, maroon cap White, dark green epaulets and star on cap Green, large orange spots, white cap
Vanton Over The Road River Tarquin
1991
Red, yellow diamond and sleeves, yellow diamonds on cap Pink, cherry hearts, pink cap Dark blue, yellow star and sleeves, yellow star on cap
Omerta Cahervillahow Cool Ground
1990-1988
1990
Dark blue, grey sleeves and cap Light blue, pink spots, pink cap, light blue spots White, orange disc and spots on sleeves, white cap, orange spots
Desert Orchid Barney Burnett Have A Barney
1989
Yellow, black hooped sleeves and sash, black cap Maroon and white hoops, maroon sleeves, yellow cap White, orange disc and spots on sleeves, white cap, orange spots
Maid Of Money Candy Well Have A Barney
1988
YELLOW, royal blue epaulettes, yellow cap, royal blue star Maroon, white cross-belts, blue and white hooped cap ROYAL BLUE and PRIMROSE STRIPES, white cap
Perris Valley Captain Batnac Feltrim Hill Lad
 

It is the Irish equivalent of the Grand National, and it is held during Fairyhouse's Easter Festival meeting.

History

The event was established in 1870, and the inaugural running was won by a horse called Sir Robert Peel. The race took place at its present venue, and the winner's prize money was 167 sovereigns. In the early part of its history it was often won by horses trained at the Curragh, and there were ten such winners by 1882. The Easter Monday fixture regularly attracted racegoers from Dublin, and it became known as the Dubs' Day Out.[1]

Several winners of the Irish Grand National have also won its English counterpart at Aintree, but none in the same year. The first to complete the double was Ascetic's Silver, the winner of the latter version in 1906. The feat has been achieved more recently by Rhyme 'n' Reason, Bobbyjo and Numbersixvalverde. The most successful horse in the event's history is Brown Lad, a three-time winner in the 1970s.

Since 1991, the distance of the race has been 3 miles and 5 furlongs; previously it had been 3 miles and 4 furlongs.

The Irish Grand National was sponsored by Irish Distillers under various titles for many years up to 2010. Ladbrokes sponsored the race from 2011 to 2013. In 2014, Boylesports took over as Irish Grand National sponsor and appointed the jockey Barry Geraghty as the first ever ambassador for the race, promoting the race through various channels, including social media.[2]

Records
Most successful horse (3 wins):
  • Brown Lad – 1975, 1976, 1978

Leading jockey (6 wins):

Leading trainer (10 wins):

  • Tom Dreaper – Prince Regent (1942), Shagreen (1949), Royal Approach (1954), Olympia (1960), Fortria (1961), Kerforo (1962), Last Link (1963), Arkle (1964), Splash (1965), Flyingbolt (1966)

A Unique Racing Record - Only Owner to complete the Derby and Grand National Double

  • William Brophy, Herbertstown House, Two-Mile-House, Naas, County Kildare. Farmer, Breeder and Owner
In 1880 William Brophy completed a unique double by owning the winner of both the Irish Derby with King of the Bees and the Irish Grand National with Controller. Also uniquely both winners were out of the same Dam Winged Bee.


Winners since 1946
Year
 Winner
 Age
 Weight
 Jockey
 Trainer
1946Golden View II1112-07Martin MolonyR O'Connell
1947Revelry711-05Dan MooreJ Doyle
1948Hamslar809-07E KennedyWillie O'Grady
1949Shagreen810-00E NewmanTom Dreaper
1950Dominick's Bar610-06Martin MolonyTim Hyde
1951Icy Calm810-03P DoyleWillie O'Grady
1952Alberoni910-01L StephensVincent O'Brien
1953Overshadow1310-04A PowerC Magnier
1954Royal Approach612-00Pat TaaffeTom Dreaper
1955Umm810-05Pat TaaffeG Wells
1956Air Prince1210-00T O'BrienJ McClintock
1957Kilballyown1009-10Willie RobinsonP Norris
1958Gold Legend809-07J LehaneJ Brogan
1959Zonda810-06Pat TaaffeMatt Geraghty
1960 Olympia 6 09-11 Toss Taaffe Tom Dreaper
1961 Fortria 9 09-12 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper
1962 Kerforo 8 10-03 Liam McLoughlin Tom Dreaper
1963 Last Link 7 09-09 Paddy Woods Tom Dreaper
1964 Arkle 7 12-00 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper
1965 Splash 7 10-13 Paddy Woods Tom Dreaper
1966 Flyingbolt 7 12-07 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper
1967 Vulpine 6 11-06 Matt Curran Paddy Mullins
1968 Herring Gull 6 11-06 John Crowley Paddy Mullins
1969 Sweet Dreams 8 09-10 Bobby Coonan Kevin Bell
1970 Garoupe 6 09-09 Cathal Finnegan Francis Flood
1971 Kings Sprite 9 09-13 Arthur Moore Georgie Wells
1972 Dim Wit 7 10-13 Matt Curran Paddy Mullins
1973 Tartan Ace 6 09-07 Jackie Cullen Tom Costello
1974 Colebridge 10 11-12 Eddie Wright Jim Dreaper
1975 Brown Lad 9 10-05 Tommy Carberry Jim Dreaper
1976 Brown Lad 10 12-02 Tommy Carberry Jim Dreaper
1977 Billycan 7 10-00 Mouse Morris Adrian Maxwell
1978 Brown Lad 12 12-02 Gerry Dowd Jim Dreaper
1979 Tied Cottage 11 10-12 Tony Robinson[lower-alpha 1] Dan Moore
1980 Daletta 7 11-04 John Harty Guy Williams
1981 Luska 7 09-09 T. V. Finn Paddy Mullins
1982 King Spruce 8 10-02 Gerry Newman Michael O'Brien
1983 Bit of a Skite 7 09-07 Tommy Ryan Edward O'Grady
1984 Bentom Boy 9 09-09 Ann Ferris[lower-alpha 1] Willie Rooney
1985 Rhyme 'n' Reason 6 10-06 Graham Bradley David Murray Smith
1986 Insure 8 09-07 Mickey Flynn Pat Hughes
1987 Brittany Boy 8 10-10 Tom Taaffe Kelvin Hitchmough
1988 Perris Valley 7 10-00 Brendan Sheridan Dermot Weld
1989 Maid of Money 7 11-06 Anthony Powell John Fowler
1990 Desert Orchid 11 12-00 Richard Dunwoody David Elsworth
1991 Omerta 11 10-09 Adrian Maguire Martin Pipe
1992 Vanton 8 10-11 Jason Titley Michael O'Brien
1993 Ebony Jane 8 10-07 Charlie Swan Francis Flood
1994 Son of War 7 10-10 Francis Woods Peter McCreery
1995 Flashing Steel 10 12-00 Jamie Osborne John Mulhern
1996 Feathered Gale 9 10-00 Francis Woods Arthur Moore
1997 Mudahim 11 10-03 Jason Titley Jenny Pitman
1998 Bobbyjo 8 11-03 Paul Carberry Tommy Carberry
1999 Glebe Lad 7 10-00 Tom Rudd Michael O'Brien
2000 Commanche Court 7 11-04 Ruby Walsh Ted Walsh
2001 Davids Lad 7 10-00 Timmy Murphy Tony Martin
2002 The Bunny Boiler 8 09-09 Ross Geraghty Noel Meade
2003 Timbera 9 10-12 Jim Culloty Dessie Hughes
2004 Granit d'Estruval 10 10-00 Brian Harding Ferdy Murphy
2005 Numbersixvalverde 9 10-01 Ruby Walsh Martin Brassil
2006 Point Barrow 8 10-08 Philip Carberry Pat Hughes
2007 Butler's Cabin 7 10-04 Tony McCoy Jonjo O'Neill
2008 Hear the Echo 7 10-00 Paddy Flood Mouse Morris
2009 Niche Market 8 10-05 Harry Skelton Bob Buckler
2010 Bluesea Cracker 8 10-04 Andrew McNamara James Motherway
2011 Organisedconfusion 6 09-13 Nina Carberry[lower-alpha 1] Arthur Moore
2012 Lion Na Bearnai 10 10-05 Andrew Thornton Thomas Gibney
2013 Liberty Counsel 10 09-05 Ben Dalton Dot Love
2014 Shutthefrontdoor 7 10-13 Barry Geraghty Jonjo O'Neill
2015 Thunder And Roses 7 10-06 Katie Walsh[lower-alpha 1] Sandra Hughes
2016 Rogue Angel 8 10-06 Ger Fox Mouse Morris
2017 Our Duke 7 11-04 Robbie Power Jessica Harrington
2018 General Principle 9 10-00 James Slevin Gordon Elliott
2019 Burrows Saint 6 10-08 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins
2020 no race [lower-alpha 2]
2021 Freewheelin Dylan 9 10-08 Ricky Doyle Dermot McLoughlin
2022 Lord Lariat 7 09-12 PJ O'Hanlon Dermot McLoughlin
2023 I Am Maximus 7 11-01 Paul Townend Willie Mullins
  1. amateur jockey
  2. The 2020 running was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland[3]

Earlier winners
  • 1870 – Sir Robert Peel
  • 1871 – The Doe
  • 1872 – Scots Grey
  • 1873 – Torrent
  • 1874 – Sailor
  • 1875 – Scots Grey
  • 1876 – Grand National
  • 1877 – Thiggin-Thue
  • 1878 – Juggler
  • 1879 – Jupiter Tonans
  • 1880 – Controller
  • 1881 – Antoinette
  • 1882 – Chantilly
  • 1883 – The Gift
  • 1884 – The Gift
  • 1885 – Billet Doux
  • 1886 – Castle Lucas
  • 1887 – Eglentine
  • 1888 – The Maroon
  • 1889 – The Citadel
  • 1890 – Greek Girl
  • 1891 – Old Tom
  • 1892 – Springfield Maid
  • 1893 – Thurles
  • 1894 – The Admiral
  • 1895 – Yellow Girl II
  • 1896 – Royston Crow
  • 1897 – Breemount's Pride
  • 1898 – Porridge
  • 1899 – Princess Hilda
  • 1900 – Mavis of Meath
  • 1901 – Tipperary Boy
  • 1902 – Patlander
  • 1903 – Kirko
  • 1904 – Ascetic's Silver
  • 1905 – Red Lad
  • 1906 – Brown Bess
  • 1907 – Sweet Cecil
  • 1908 – Lord Rivers
  • 1909 – Little Hack II
  • 1910 – Oniche
  • 1911 – Repeator II
  • 1912 – Small Polly
  • 1913 – Little Hack II
  • 1914 – Civil War
  • 1915 – Punch
  • 1916 – All Sorts
  • 1917 – Pay Only
  • 1918 – Ballyboggan
  • 1919 – no race
  • 1920 – Halston
  • 1921 – Bohernore
  • 1922 – Halston
  • 1923 – Be Careful
  • 1924 – Kilbarry
  • 1925 – Dog Fox
  • 1926 – Amberwave
  • 1927 – Jerpoint
  • 1928 – Don Sancho
  • 1929 – Alike
  • 1930 – Fanmond
  • 1931 – Impudent Barney
  • 1932 – Copper Court
  • 1933 – Red Park
  • 1934 – Poolgowran
  • 1935 – Rathfriland
  • 1936 – Alice Maythorn
  • 1937 – Pontet
  • 1938 – Clare County
  • 1939 – Shaun Peel
  • 1940 – Jack Chaucer
  • 1941 – no race
  • 1942 – Prince Regent
  • 1943 – Golden Jack
  • 1944 – Knight's Crest
  • 1945 – Heirdom

See also

References
  1. "The Dubs' Day Out". Carlow Nationalist. 7 April 2004. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 5 April 2010.
  2. O'Hehir, Tony. "Boylesports to sponsor Irish Grand National". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  3. Wood, Greg (28 August 2020). "Irish Grand National cancelled for 2020 amid uncertainty over spectators". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 August 2020.

Further reading

Peters, Stewart (2007). The Irish Grand National: The History of Ireland's Premier Steeplechase. Stroud: STADIA. p. 144. ISBN 978-0-7524-3691-3.

Hyland, Francis P M; Williams, Guy St John (1995). Jameson Irish Grand National: a history of Ireland's premier steeplechase. The Organisation. p. 263. ISBN 978-0-9526902-0-7.

The Sweeney guide to the Irish turf from 1501 to 2001 / by Tony & Annie Sweeney in association with Francis Hyland ; photographs by Caroline Norris ... [et al.].

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