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'I said it won't be life changing, but it was

Horse & Hound

April 13, 2023

Ahead of Saturday's Randox Grand National at Aintree, Jennifer Donald finds out what it means to win the world's greatest steeplechase

'I said it won't be life changing, but it was

FROM the aptly named Lottery’s success in the inaugural Grand National in 1839, to Red Rum’s remarkable hat-trick in the 1970s and Rachael Blackmore’s pioneering victory two years ago, the Grand National has produced nearly a double century of fairy-tale finishes.

As Rachael says: “This race captures the imagination of every young person with a pony, and to actually fulfil something like that is just unbelievable.”

The post-race television interviews and headline stories give a taste of what it means to win Aintree’s world-famous steeplechase – there have been outpourings of joy and heartfelt tributes, plenty of tears and even winning jockey Mick Fitzgerald’s famous quip to BBC presenter Des Lynam: “I’ve never enjoyed 12 minutes as much before in my life. After that, Des, even sex is an anticlimax.”

But when the champagne has run dry, the silverware has been proudly displayed and the media have gone home, what does it mean to win the Grand National? Is it life defining – or even life changing?

Scottish trainer Lucinda Russell – who has the favourite for this year’s race, Corach Rambler – won in 2017 with the popular One For Arthur, ridden by Derek Fox, and was overwhelmed by the exposure and attention that followed.

“I said it won’t be life changing to win the Grand National, but reflectively I can tell you it was life changing!” says Lucinda. “I think in many ways, and not only in our own self-confidence, but in the friends and relationships we’ve made since then and the honour in which we hold these horses.