Scottish Grand National

Scottish Grand National
Premier Handicap race
LocationAyr Racecourse
Ayrshire, Scotland
Inaugurated1867
Race typeChase
SponsorCoral
WebsiteAyr
Race information
Distance4m (6,538 metres)
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationFive-years-old and up
WeightHandicap
Purse£150,000 (2021)
1st: £84,405
Scottish Grand National
2024
Emerald green and white stripes, emerald green sleeves, white armlets, orange cap Yellow, dark blue seams, dark blue sleeves, yellow stars, dark blue cap, yellow star White, red chevron, white sleeves, red stars, white cap, red star
Macdermott Surrey Quest Git Maker
Previous years
2023
Dark blue, white stars, red sleeves, white cap, red star Black and pink diabolo, black sleeves, pink cap, black star Royal blue, yellow chevron and sleeves, yellow and white quartered cap
Kitty's Light Cooper's Cross Flash De Touzaine
2022
White, black cross belts, yellow sleeves and cap Dark blue, white stars, red sleeves, white cap, red star EMERALD GREEN and YELLOW (quartered), WHITE sleeves, EMERALD GREEN cap
Win My Wings Kitty's Light Major Dundee
2021
Royal blue, orange star, royal blue sleeves, white stars, royal blue cap, white star Royal blue, pink star, armlets and cap Royal blue, black epaulets, black halved sleeves, quartered cap
Mighty Thunder Dingo Dollar Mister Fogpatches
2020-2011
2019
Mauve, yellow star, armlets and star on cap Red and black (quartered), diamonds on sleeves Emerald Green and Yellow quartered, White sleeves, Emerald Green cap
Takingrisks Crosspark Cloth Cap
2018
Maroon and white diabolo, white sleeves, quartered cap Maroon and light blue diabolo, light blue sleeves, quartered cap Emerald green and yellow (quartered), white sleeves, emerald green cap
Joe Farrell Ballyoptic Vintage Clouds
2017
Emerald green and yellow (quartered), white sleeves and cap Red, black diamond, red sleeves, yellow diamonds, black cap, red diamonds Red, white star, red sleeves, black stars, white cap, red star
Vicente Cogry Benbens
2016
Royal blue, orange star, royal blue sleeves, orange stars, royal blue cap, orange stars Royal blue, pink hoop Black, yellow sash, white cap
Vicente Alvarado Seeyouatmidnight
2015
Royal blue, yellow hoop, dark blue sleeves, royal blue and yellow quartered cap Emerald green, yellow chevron and sleeves, red cap Red, white star, red sleeves, black stars, white cap, red star
Wayward Prince Goonyella Benbens
2014
Emerald green, yellow hoop, white sleeves, black cap Dark blue, white star, red sleeves, white stars, red cap, white star Red and black (quartered), red sleeves, black spots
Al Co Godsmejudge Trustan Times
2013
Dark blue, white star, red sleeves, white stars, red cap, white star Dark blue, white chevron, chevrons on sleeves, striped cap Orange, royal blue hoops and armlets
Godsmejudge Big Occasion Mister Marker
2012
Emerald green, yellow sash and star on cap White, black seams, mauve sleeves, black and yellow quartered cap Emerald green and yellow (quartered), white sleeves and cap
Merigo Auroras Encore King Fontaine
2011
WHITE, PURPLE hooped sleeves and cap Emerald green, yellow sash and star on cap Maroon, white hooped sleeves
Beshabar Merigo Always Right
2010–2001
2010
Emerald green, yellow sash and star on cap Emerald green, light blue cross belts, striped sleeves White, red chevron, emerald green and red striped sleeves, red cap
Merigo Gone To Lunch No Panic
2009
White, royal blue spots, white and royal blue striped cap Emerald green, light blue cross belts, striped sleeves Yellow, red chevrons, yellow cap
Hello Bud Gone To Lunch Out The Black
2008
light green and white check, white sleeves, hooped cap Emerald Green, Red star, White sleeves, Red stars, Red cap Dark Blue, Pink and Dark Blue hooped sleeves, Pink cap
Iris De Balme Halcon Genelardais Flintoff
2007
Emerald Green and White (quartered), White sleeves, Emerald Green armlets Red and yellow diamonds, red sleeves, yellow stars, red cap Maroon, yellow hoop, sleeves and cap
Hot Weld Nine De Sivola Parsons Legacy
2006
Royal Blue, Red chevrons, diabolo on sleeves, Red cap, Royal Blue star Dark green, white chevron, light green sleeves, dark green and white check cap Maroon and light blue (quartered), maroon sleeves
Run For Paddy Ladalko Royal Emperor
2005
Grey, Red Cross of Lorraine, checked sleeves, Red cap Red, white cross belts, hooped sleeves and star on cap Emerald green and royal blue quartered, em green sleeves, striped cap
Joes Edge Cornish Rebel Another Rum
2004
Orange, black spots on sleeves, white cap Maroon, Dark Green chevrons, Maroon sleeves and cap Royal blue, emerald green sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots
Grey Abbey Kerry Lads Maximize
2003
Red, white hoop, white sleeves, red spots, white cap, red spots Royal blue, emerald green sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots Maroon, grey disc and armlets, quartered cap
Ryalux Stormez Spendid
2002
Royal blue, emerald green sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots Red, white cross belts, hooped sleeves and star on cap Dark green and white diamonds, white sleeves
Take Control Shotgun Willy Gunther McBride
2001
Dark green, white seams, dark green sleeves, white cap, red star Mauve and pink check, white sleeves, pink cap Royal blue, dark blue chevrons on body, white cap
Gingembre Ad Hoc Supreme Glory
2000–1991
2000
Black, lilac cap Maroon, white sash, hooped sleeves, white cap Purple, yellow sash, hooped sleeves, yellow cap
Paris Pike Noble Lord Young Kenny
1999
Purple, yellow sash, hooped sleeves, yellow cap Pink and maroon quartered, maroon sleeves, quartered cap Light blue and maroon diamonds, maroon sleeves, and diamond on cap
Young Kenny Hollybank Buck Full of Oats
1998
Pink, purple cross belts, hooped sleeves, purple cap Royal blue, emerald green sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots Pink, black braces, halved sleeves and star on cap
Baronet Eudipe Belmont King
1997
Pink, black braces, halved sleeves and star on cap Black yellow stars, red sleeves, yellow stars on cap Pink, purple cross belts, hooped sleeves, purple cap
Belmont King Samlee Baronet
1996
Red and yellow (quartered), red sleeves, yellow spots, red cap, yellow spots White, black seams, yellow and white halved sleeves, yellow cap Black, red sleeves, quartered cap
Moorcroft Boy General Wolfe Arthur's Minstrel
1995
Yellow, royal blue sleeves, yellow cap, royal blue star Blue, white triple diamond, white sleeves, blue armlets, white diamond on cap Dark green, light green chevrons, red sleeves, white and red striped cap
Willsford Sweet Duke Lo Stregone
1994
Yellow, black sleeves, striped cap Royal blue, white striped sleeves White, black hollow box, halved sleeves, black cap
Earth Summit Bishop's Island Superior Finish
1993
Maroon, yellow epaulets, armlets and star on cap Maroon, white sash, hooped sleeves, white cap Royal blue, white star, white sleeves, red armlets, royal blue cap, white star
Run For Free Merry Master Mister Ed
1992
Red, emerald green star, hooped sleeves, red cap, emerald green star Yellow and black chevrons, yellow sleeves, hooped cap Pink, gordon tartan sleeves, green cap
Captain Dibble Dalkey Sound Off The Bru
1991
Yellow, royal blue stripe, armlets and cap Red, yellow diamond and sleeves, yellow diamonds on cap White, dark green epaulets and star on cap
Killone Abbey Omerta Over The Road
1990–1988
1990
Maroon, grey disc and armlets, quartered cap Maroon, beige triple diamond, diabolo on sleeves, hooped cap Red, white stripe, white sleeves, red armlets, white cap, red star
Four Trix Tartan Takeover Birling Jack
1989
Yellow, red star, armlets and star on cap Blue, white stars, white cap Maroon, grey disc and armlets, quartered cap
Roll-A-Joint Charter Hardware Four Trix
1988
Gold, Red sash, sleeves and cap with Gold hoop Green, red hoop, silver cap White, dark green epaulets and star on cap
Mighty Mark Cheeny's Brig Over The Road
 

The Scottish Grand National is a Premier Handicap National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Ayr, Scotland, over a distance of about 4 miles (3 miles 7 furlongs and 176 yards, or 6,397 metres) and during its running there are 27 fences to be jumped. It is a handicap race, and takes place each year in April. It is Scotland's equivalent of the Grand National, and is held during Ayr's two-day Scottish Grand National Festival meeting.

History

The race, then known as the "West of Scotland Grand National", was first run at a course near Houston, Renfrewshire in 1858.[1] It consisted of 32 jumps, mainly stone walls.[1]

In 1867, after objections by the leader of the Free Kirk in Houston,[1] the race moved to Bogside Racecourse, near Irvine. The inaugural winner at Bogside, The Elk, was owned by the Duke of Hamilton. During the early part of its history the race's distance was about 3 miles (4.8 km). It was later extended to 3+7⁄8 mi (6.2 km), and became known by its present title in 1880, when it was won by Peacock.[1]

Bogside Racecourse closed in 1965, and the Scottish Grand National was transferred to Ayr the following year. At this point the race was increased to its present length. Several winners of the Scottish Grand National have also won its English counterpart at Aintree. The first to complete the double was Music Hall, the winner of the 1922 Grand National. The feat has been achieved more recently by Little Polveir and Earth Summit, but the only horse to win both races in the same year was Red Rum in 1974.

In 2021, the race was moved to a Sunday due to the funeral of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, taking place on Saturday [2]

Prize money

The winning horse in 1867 won £100, increasing to £440 by 1906, £1030 in 1950, £5,436 in 1963 and £122,433 in 2019.[1]

Television coverage

The first television coverage of the Scottish National was in 1953 on the BBC. It was also shown the following year, but then wasn't screened again until 1969 on ITV and has been shown live ever since. Coverage moved to Channel 4 in 1986 and back to ITV in 2017.[1]

Records

Most successful horse (3 wins):

  • Couvrefeu II – 1911, 1912, 1913
  • Southern Hero – 1934, 1936, 1939
  • Queen's Taste – 1953, 1954, 1956

Leading jockey

  • All-time (4 wins)
  • At Ayr (3 wins)
    • Mark Dwyer – Androma (1984, 1985), Moorcroft Boy (1996)

Leading trainer

  • All-time (5 wins)
    • Neville Crump – Wot No Sun (1949), Merryman II (1959), Arcturus (1968), Salkeld (1980), Canton (1983)
    • Ken Oliver – Pappageno's Cottage (1963), The Spaniard (1970), Young Ash Leaf (1971), Fighting Fit (1979), Cockle Strand (1982)
  • At Ayr (4 wins)
    • Ken Oliver – The Spaniard (1970), Young Ash Leaf (1971), Fighting Fit (1979), Cockle Strand (1982)

Winners at Ayr

Year
 Winner
 Age
 Weight
 Jockey
 Trainer
1966 African Patrol 7 10-07 Johnny Leech Robert Fairbairn
1967 The Fossa 10 09-12 Andrew Turnell Fred Rimell
1968 Arcturus 7 10-04 Pat Buckley Neville Crump
1969 Playlord 8 12-00 Ron Barry Gordon W. Richards
1970 The Spaniard 8 10-00 Barry Brogan Ken Oliver
1971 Young Ash Leaf 7 10-02 Peter Ennis Ken Oliver
1972 Quick Reply 7 09-09 Maurice Barnes Harry Bell
1973 Esban 9 09-11 Jimmy Bourke Robert Clay
1974 Red Rum 9 11–13 Brian Fletcher Ginger McCain
1975 Barona 9 10-00 Paul Kelleway Roddy Armytage
1976 Barona 10 10-02 Paul Kelleway Roddy Armytage
1977 Sebastian V 9 10-02 Ridley Lamb Harry Bell
1978 King Con 9 09-13 Peter Craggs[a] Graham Renilson
1979 Fighting Fit 7 10–10 Colin Hawkins Ken Oliver
1980 Salkeld 8 10-00 Denis Atkins Neville Crump
1981 Astral Charmer 8 09-10 John Goulding Harry Bell
1982 Cockle Strand 9 09-11 David Dutton Ken Oliver
1983 Canton 9 10-02 Kevin Whyte Neville Crump
1984 Androma 7 10-00 Mark Dwyer Jimmy FitzGerald
1985 Androma 8 10-00 Mark Dwyer Jimmy FitzGerald
1986 Hardy Lad 9 10-00 Micky Hammond Jumbo Wilkinson
1987 Little Polveir 10 10-00 Peter Scudamore John Edwards
1988 Mighty Mark 9 10-05 Brian Storey Frank Walton
1989 Roll-a-Joint 11 10-00 Brendan Powell Chris Popham
1990 Four Trix 9 10-00 Derek Byrne Gordon W. Richards
1991 Killone Abbey 8 10-00 Chris Grant Arthur Stephenson
1992 Captain Dibble 7 11-00 Peter Scudamore Nigel Twiston-Davies
1993 Run for Free 9 11–10 Mark Perrett Martin Pipe
1994 Earth Summit 6 10-00 David Bridgwater Nigel Twiston-Davies
1995 Willsford 12 10–12 Rodney Farrant Jenny Pitman
1996 Moorcroft Boy 11 10-02 Mark Dwyer David Nicholson
1997 Belmont King 9 11–10 Tony McCoy Paul Nicholls
1998 Baronet 8 10-00 Adrian Maguire David Nicholson
1999 Young Kenny 8 11–10 Brendan Powell Peter Beaumont
2000 Paris Pike 8 11-00 Adrian Maguire Ferdy Murphy
2001 Gingembre 7 11-02 Andrew Thornton Lavinia Taylor
2002 Take Control 8 10-06 Ruby Walsh Martin Pipe
2003 Ryalux 10 10-05 Richard McGrath Andy Crook
2004 Grey Abbey 10 11–12 Graham Lee Howard Johnson
2005 Joes Edge 8 09-11 Keith Mercer Ferdy Murphy
2006 Run for Paddy 10 10-02 Carl Llewellyn Carl Llewellyn
2007 Hot Weld 8 09-09 P. J. McDonald Ferdy Murphy
2008 Iris de Balme 8 09-07 Charlie Huxley[a] Sean Curran
2009 Hello Bud 11 10-09 Paddy Brennan Nigel Twiston-Davies
2010 Merigo 9 10-00 Timmy Murphy Andrew Parker
2011 Beshabar 9 10-04 Richard Johnson Tim Vaughan
2012 Merigo 11 10-02 Timmy Murphy Andrew Parker
2013 Godsmejudge 7 11-03 Wayne Hutchinson Alan King
2014 Al Co 9 10-02 Jamie Moore Peter Bowen
2015 Wayward Prince 11 10-07 Robbie Dunne Hilary Parrott
2016 Vicente 7 11-03 Sam Twiston-Davies Paul Nicholls
2017 Vicente 8 11–10 Sam Twiston-Davies Paul Nicholls
2018 Joe Farrell 9 10-06 Adam Wedge Rebecca Curtis
2019 Takingrisks 10 10-01 Sean Quinlan Nicky Richards
no race 2020 [b]
2021 Mighty Thunder 8 11-01 Tom Scudamore Lucinda Russell
2022 Win My Wings 9 10-12 Rob James Christian Williams
2023 Kitty's Light 7 11-00 Jack Tudor Christian Williams
2024 Macdermott 6 10-07 Danny Mullins Willie Mullins
  1. ^ a b amateur jockey
  2. ^ The 2020 running was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom[3]

Winners at Bogside

Year
 Winner
 Age
 Weight
 Jockey
 Trainer
1947 Rowland Roy 8 11-02 Mr R Black Fulke Walwyn
1948 Magnetic Fin 9 10-05 Lionel Vick W Hall
1949 Wot No Sun 7 11-05 A Thompson Neville Crump
1950 Sanvina 10 12-02 Ken Oliver J Wight
1951 Court Painter 11 9-07 F Carroll C Bewicke
1952 Flagrant Mac 8 11–12 J Power Bobby Renton
1953 Queen's Taste 7 10-02 T Robson[a] H Clarkson
1954 Queen's Taste 8 10-09 G Slack H Clarkson
1955 Bar Point 8 10-02 D Ancil Bobby Renton
1956 Queen's Taste 10 11-00 R Curran H Clarkson
1957 Bremontier 10 10–12 A Rossio P Taylor
1958 Game Field 8 11–10 J Boddy J Fawcus
1959 Merryman II 8 10–12 Gerry Scott Neville Crump
1960 Fincham 8 10-00 M Batchelor J White
1961 Kinmont Wullie 7 10-07 C Stobbs Arthur Stephenson
1962 Sham Fight 10 10–10 T Robson T Robson
1963 Pappageno's Cottage 8 10-09 Tim Brookshaw Ken Oliver
1964 Popham Down 7 10–00 Johnny Haine Fulke Walwyn
1965 Brasher 9 10-05 Jimmy FitzGerald T Robson
  1. ^ amateur jockey

Earlier winners

  • 1867 – The Elk
  • 1868 – Greenland
  • 1869 – Huntsman
  • 1870 – Snowstorm
  • 1871 – Keystone
  • 1872 – Cinna
  • 1873 – Hybla
  • 1874 – Ouragon II
  • 1875 – Solicitor
  • 1876 – Earl Marshal
  • 1877 – Solicitor
  • 1878 – no race
  • 1879 – Militant
  • 1880 – Peacock
  • 1881 – Bellman
  • 1882 – Gunboat
  • 1883 – Kerclaw
  • 1884 – The Peer
  • 1885 – Wild Meadow
  • 1886 – Crossbow
  • 1887 – Orcadian
  • 1888 – Ireland
  • 1889 – Deloraine
  • 1890 – no race
  • 1891 – see note below[a]
  • 1892 – Lizzie
  • 1893 – Lady Ellen II
  • 1894 – Leybourne
  • 1895 – Nepcote
  • 1896 – Cadlaw Cairn
  • 1897 – Modest Friar
  • 1898 – Trade Mark
  • 1899 – Tyrolean
  • 1900 – Dorothy Vane
  • 1901 – Big Busbie
  • 1902 – Canter Home
  • 1903 – Chit Chat
  • 1904 – Innismacsaint
  • 1905 – Theodocian
  • 1906 – Creolin
  • 1907 – Barney III
  • 1908 – Atrato
  • 1909 – Mount Prospect's Fortune
  • 1910 – The Duffrey
  • 1911 – Couvrefeu II
  • 1912 – Couvrefeu II
  • 1913 – Couvrefeu II
  • 1914 – Scrabee
  • 1915 – Templedowney
  • 1916 – no race
  • 1917 – no race
  • 1918 – no race
  • 1919 – The Turk
  • 1920 – Music Hall
  • 1921 – no race
  • 1922 – Sergeant Murphy
  • 1923 – Harrismith
  • 1924 – Royal Chancellor
  • 1925 – Gerald L.
  • 1926 – Estuna
  • 1927 – Estuna
  • 1928 – Ardeen
  • 1929 – Donzelon
  • 1930 – Drintyre
  • 1931 – Annandale
  • 1932 – Clydesdale
  • 1933 – Libourg
  • 1934 – Southern Hero
  • 1935 – Kellsboro' Jack
  • 1936 – Southern Hero
  • 1937 – Right'un
  • 1938 – Young Mischief
  • 1939 – Southern Hero
  • 1940–46 – no race
  1. ^ There were only two runners in 1891 – neither could clear the second fence and there was no winner

See also

Sources

  • Ladbrokes Pocket Companion 1990/91. Aesculus Press. 1990. p. 71. ISBN 1-871093-21-X.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Scottish Grand National Facts". Ayr Racecourse. 16 April 2011. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
  2. ^ "Scottish Grand National moved to Sunday as mark of respect to Duke of Edinburgh". Racing Post. 11 April 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  3. ^ "Coronavirus: Horse racing in Great Britain suspended until end of April". BBC Sport. 17 March 2020.