THE 2013 JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL THURSDAY APRIL 4 - SATURDAY APRIL 6 MEDIA GUIDE 2 EVENT 2013 2 Course Map 3 Welcome 4 Title Sponsor CONTENTS 5 Aintree Legends 6 Grand Opening Day & Ladies’ Day 7 Partners & News 8 Racing Programme & Channel 4 GETTING IN TOUCH 9 Media 10 Welfare & Safety 12 Race Conditions Racecourse Officials John Baker / Regional Director North West WINNERS 01942 402609 [email protected] 14 Roll Of Honour 2012-1839 17 Reports & Results Andrew Tulloch / Regional Head of Racing NW and Clerk of the Course 0151 523 2600 / 07831 315 104 [email protected] BACKGROUND Karan White / Hospitality and Sales Manager 0151 522 2911 23 Weights & Prize Money [email protected] 24 Betting & Gambles 25 Greys, Mares & Age 26 Runners & Finishers 27 Jockeys Media Team 28 Female Riders 30 Amateur Riders Nigel Payne / Press Officer 31 The 2012 Winning Jockey 07768 025265 32 Record Of Selected Riders [email protected] 35 Retired Jockeys’ Records 36 Greatest Trainers Genna Lenden / Marketing & New Media Executive 37 Trainers 0151 522 2969 39 Irish-Trainers Winners [email protected] 40 Overseas Interest @AintreeGenna 41 The 2012 Winning Trainer 43 Record Of Selected Trainers James Rennard / Marketing & Communications Executive 47 The 2012 Winning Owner 0151 522 2906 48 Record Of Owners [email protected] John Smith’s HISTORY 49 Grand National Timeline Nigel Pollard / Head of External Communications 56 Past Results 07785 531 756 66 Getting To Aintree [email protected] The 2013 John Smith’s Grand National media guide was compiled by Racenews - Aintree Racecourse 020 7704 0326 / www.racenews.co.uk Ormskirk Road, Aintree, Liverpool, L9 5AS The guide was edited by Mark Popham with T: 0151 523 2600 F: 0151 522 2920 help from Ben Cox, John Corbett, Jordan [email protected] McBride and Edward Prosser. Thanks go @AintreeInsider to everyone who contributed. Every effort was made to produce accurate information but please accept our apologies if there are any mistakes. The guide was designed by One Bird Design (onebirddesign.com). The majority of the photographs were taken by John Grossick, who is retained by Aintree Racecourse. 2 FENCE 16 THE WATER JUMP FENCE 15 THE CHAIR FENCE 9 & 25 VALENTINE’S 2ft 6in fence; 12ft 6in spread Open Ditch - 5ft 2in fence; 11ft spread 5ft fence; 5f 6in on landing side Situated in front of the stands, the Water One of only two fences to be jumped only Regarded as the lesser of the two brook Jump is the only fence on the Grand National once, alongside the Water Jump, the Chair fences on the Grand National course and not course to be less than 4ft 6in high and has is the biggest fence on the National course at as tricky as Becher’s, Valentine’s still requires water after it. Very few horses have fallen here 5ft 2in, with a ditch before. The obstacle was a good jump from a horse, especially as it and the fence is perceived by jockeys as the named after a chair which was situated next is situated after the Canal Turn. The fence easiest obstacle to negotiate, but four horses to the fence, from where a judge used to see is named after Valentine, who attempted came down in 1968 including the previous if any horses had been beaten by a distance. to pull himself up at the obstacle in 1840, year’s winner Foinavon. Waterlogging meant only to pirouette over the fence and brook that the fence had to be omitted for the first before going on to finish third behind Jerry and only time in 1955. and Arthur. COURSE MAP The Most Famous Grand National Fences FENCE 6 & 22 BECHER’S BROOK FENCE 7 & 23 FOINAVON FENCE 8 & 24 CANAL TURN 4ft 10in fence; 4ft 6in Fence 5ft Fence up to 5ft 8in on landing side This is the joint-smallest standard Grand Visually one of the most impressive sights in The most famous fence in the world, National fence. Foinavon became part of the Grand National, the 90-degree turn after Becher’s Brook is named after Captain Martin Aintree folklore in 1967 when the riderless the Canal Turn can cause jockeys a host of Becher, the rider who came off Conrad into Popham Down veered across the whole field problems, especially if there are loose horses. the brook in the first Grand National of 1839. approaching it on the second circuit, bringing Situated where the racecourse meets the He is meant to have remarked later that down or halting virtually all the remaining Leeds-Liverpool canal, the obstacle has been water should not be ingested without brandy runners from the 44 starters. Jockey John the downfall of plenty, most notably in 2001 or whisky depending on whose account Buckingham was able to steer backmarker when the riderless Paddy’s Return forced 10 you read. The famous drop (the difference Foinavon around the pile-up and jump the horses out of the race. in height between the level of the ground fence. The pair went on to record a 100/1 on take-off and landing sides) was reduced surprise, winning by 15 lengths. after the 2011 John Smith’s Grand National to between 10in (inner) and 6in (outer). Nine horses fell, refused or were brought down on the first circuit in 2004, while 17-time ß All fences over the Grand National course can be bypassed, as indicated on the course champion jump jockey Tony McCoy, who map. Bypassing also provides a valuable run-out space for loose horses and discourages won the John Smith’s Grand National for the them from jumping further fences when loose. This is further complemented by catching pens first time in 2010, was six lengths clear on the for loose horses at the fourth fence and the Canal Turn. If a fence is to be bypassed, course staff well-fancied Clan Royal in 2005, when carried will place markers in the fence which is to be omitted. Bypassing of fences is a very important out by two loose horses before Becher’s on welfare measure which allows veterinary and medical personnel to make a diagnosis or treatment the second circuit. in safety and further protects participants still running in the race. 3 EVENT 2013 WELCOMEThe John Smith’s Grand National is unique - the Millions and millions of people in Britain bet on the John Smith’s Grand National each race of dreams; the stuff of legend. No wonder it year, making the race easily the biggest single turnover event, and the most anticipated. receives more attention than any other race. Regular punters and the annually curious can take a financial interest in one of Britain’s 9,000 Since the inaugural running in 1839, when nearly 10 minutes of breathtaking action and off-course betting shops, over the telephone, Lottery etched his name on the roll of honour, often afterwards. through the internet, interactively or at Aintree victory in the Grand National has been the Racecourse. pinnacle of ambition for owners, trainers and Betting slips or thoughts, carefully clutched or jockeys worldwide. pondered on, are not to be celebrated until the Bookmakers estimate that some £500 million result has been officially announced. is wagered in Britain on the day, with the John Hollywood actors, moguls, pop stars, Smith’s Grand National accounting for the bulk comedians, coiffeurs, celebrities of all hues, Many are the reversals of fortune in the 465 of that. sporting heroes, politicians, aristocrats, yards between the last fence and the winning business people of every variety, Kings, Queens post, with replays avidly studied to determine and Princes have all tried for success; just a what happened where to each of the runners fortunate few have succeeded. and riders. The three-day John Smith’s Grand National meeting offers fantastic racing It is the most famous chase in the world and Devon Loch’s inexplicable collapse in the on Thursday (April 4) - Grand Opening one of the biggest tests for racehorse and rider 1956 Grand National, a mere 50 yards from Day, Friday (April 5) - Ladies’ Day and around two circuits of the Grand National course victory, serves as a constant reminder that the Saturday (April 6) - Grand National Day. - with 30 fences to be jumped as four miles, race is often won and lost in the final run from The prize fund for the 2013 John Smith’s three furlongs and about 110 yards are covered. the ‘elbow’. Grand National, the 166th running, will be £975,000, the same record figure first There are numerous famous landmarks which Once-a-year punters come out in force on John reached last year. are an integral part of Grand National folklore; Smith’s Grand National day, studying the list of The winner receives £547,267, with £205,822 Becher’s Brook, the Canal Turn, Valentine’s and runners to locate their selection from the office/ going to the second, £102,862 (third), the Chair are fences known around the globe. shop sweepstake, or placing their wager on a £51,382 (fourth), £25,837 (fifth), the sixth horse with a name they like or one linked to a £12,870 (sixth), £6,630 (seventh), £3,510 Familiar phrases of commentators such as topical event - Party Politics was a popular (eighth), £1,950 (ninth) and £975 (10th). “crossing the Melling Road” are built into choice when he won the great race in 1992, Aintree and Grand National partner John people’s subconscious, while there is the with the nation on the brink of a general election.