Grand National
Updated: Wikipedia source
The Grand National is a National Hunt horse race held annually at Aintree Racecourse in Aintree, Merseyside, England. First run in 1839, it is a handicap steeplechase over an official distance of about 4 miles 2+1⁄2 furlongs (4 miles 550 yards; 7 kilometres), with horses jumping 30 fences over two laps. It is the most valuable jump race in Europe, with a prize fund of £1 million in 2017. An event that is prominent in British culture, the race is popular amongst many people who do not normally watch or bet on horse racing at other times of the year. The course over which the race is run features much larger fences than those found on conventional National Hunt tracks. Many of these fences, particularly Becher's Brook, The Chair and the Canal Turn, have become famous in their own right and, combined with the distance of the event, create what has been called "the ultimate test of horse and rider". The Grand National has been broadcast live on free-to-air terrestrial television in the United Kingdom since 1960. From then, until 2012, it was broadcast by the BBC. Channel 4 broadcast the event between 2013 and 2016: UK broadcasting rights were transferred to ITV from 2017. An estimated 500 to 600 million people watch the Grand National in over 140 countries. The race has also been broadcast on radio since 1927; BBC Radio held exclusive rights until 2013. Talksport acquired radio commentary rights in 2014: Both the BBC and Talksport currently broadcast the race in full. The Grand National had suffered three major disruptions in post-war history. The 1993 Grand National was not held due to a series of false starts, the postponement of the 1997 Grand National to a Monday because of an IRA bomb threat, and the 2023 Grand National being delayed due to Animal Rising protesters. The most recent running of the race, in 2025, was won by Patrick Mullins riding Nick Rockett. Since 2017, the race and accompanying festival have been sponsored by Randox.