Irish Grand National
| Grade A race | |
| Location |
Fairyhouse Co. Meath, Ireland |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1870 |
| Race type | Steeplechase |
| Sponsor | Boylesports |
| Website | Fairyhouse |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 3m 5f (5,834 metres) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Right-handed |
| Qualification | Five-years-old and up |
| Weight | Handicap |
| Purse |
€275,000 (2016) 1st: €152,000 |
| 2016 | ||
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| Rogue Angel | Bless The Wings | Ballyadam Approach |
| Previous years | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | ||
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| Thunder And Roses | Rule The World | Sizing Coal |
| 2014 | ||
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| Shutthefrontdoor | Golden Wonder | Saoirse Dun |
| 2013 | ||
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| Liberty Counsel | Away We Go | Home Farm |
| 2012 | ||
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| Lion Na Bearnai | Out Now | Alfie Sherrin |
| 2011 | ||
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| Organisedconfusion | Western Charmer | Sunnyhillboy |
| 2010-2001 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | ||
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| Bluesea Cracker | Oscar Time | Whatuthink |
| 2009 | ||
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| Niche Market | Church Island | A New Story |
| 2008 | ||
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| Hear The Echo | Royal County Star | Notre Pere |
| 2007 | ||
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| Butler's Cabin | Nine De Sivola | American Jennie |
| 2006 | ||
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| Point Barrow | Oulart | A New Story |
| 2005 | ||
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| Numbersixvalverde | Jack High | Marcus Du Berlais |
| 2004 | ||
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| Granit d'Estruval | Marcus Du Berlais | Golden Storm |
| 2003 | ||
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| Timbera | Knock Knock | Winning Dream |
| 2002 | ||
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| The Bunny Boiler | Give Over | Northern Sound |
| 2001 | ||
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| Davids Lad | Rathbawn Prince | Sheltering |
| 2000-1991 | ||
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| 2000 | ||
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| Commanche Court | Foxchapel King | Irish Light |
| 1999 | ||
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| Glebe Lad | Feathered Leader | Manus The Man |
| 1998 | ||
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| Bobbyjo | Papillon | Call It A Day |
| 1997 | ||
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| Mudahim | Amble Speedy | The Grey Monk |
| 1996 | ||
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| Feathered Gale | Jodami | Cool Dawn |
| 1995 | ||
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| Flashing Steel | Rust Never Sleeps | Feathered Gale |
| 1994 | ||
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| Son Of War | Nuaffe | Ebony Jane |
| 1993 | ||
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| Ebony Jane | Rust Never Sleeps | Zeta's Lad |
| 1992 | ||
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| Vanton | Over The Road | River Tarquin |
| 1991 | ||
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| Omerta | Cahervillahow | Cool Ground |
| 1990-1988 | ||
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| 1990 | ||
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| Desert Orchid | Barney Burnett | Have A Barney |
| 1989 | ||
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| Maid Of Money | Candy Well | Have A Barney |
| 1988 | ||
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| Perris Valley | Captain Batnac | Feltrim Hill Lad |
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.
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):
- Pat Taaffe – Royal Approach (1954), Umm (1955), Zonda (1959), Fortria (1961), Arkle (1964), Flyingbolt (1966)
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, Co. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | Golden View II | 11 | 12-07 | Martin Molony | R O'Connell |
| 1947 | Revelry | 7 | 11-05 | Dan Moore | J Doyle |
| 1948 | Hamslar | 8 | 09-07 | E Kennedy | Willie O'Grady |
| 1949 | Shagreen | 8 | 10-00 | E Newman | Tom Dreaper |
| 1950 | Dominick's Bar | 6 | 10-06 | Martin Molony | Tim Hyde |
| 1951 | Icy Calm | 8 | 10-03 | P Doyle | Willie O'Grady |
| 1952 | Alberoni | 9 | 10-01 | L Stephens | Vincent O'Brien |
| 1953 | Overshadow | 13 | 10-04 | A Power | C Magnier |
| 1954 | Royal Approach | 6 | 12-00 | Pat Taaffe | Tom Dreaper |
| 1955 | Umm | 8 | 10-05 | Pat Taaffe | G Wells |
| 1956 | Air Prince | 12 | 10-00 | T O'Brien | J McClintock |
| 1957 | Kilballyown | 10 | 09-10 | Willie Robinson | P Norris |
| 1958 | Gold Legend | 8 | 09-07 | J Lehane | J Brogan |
| 1959 | Zonda | 8 | 10-06 | Pat Taaffe | Matt 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 | 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 | Mrs Ann Ferris | 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 | Miss Nina Carberry | 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 | Ms Katie Walsh | Sandra Hughes |
| 2016 | Rogue Angel | 8 | 10-06 | Ger Fox | Mouse Morris |
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
- ↑ "The Dubs' Day Out". Carlow Nationalist. April 7, 2004. Retrieved 2010-04-05.
- ↑ O'Hehir, Tony. "Boylesports to sponsor Irish Grand National". racingpost.com. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
- pedigreequery.com – Irish Grand National – Fairyhouse.
- tbheritage.com – Irish Grand National winners.
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.].