The Irish Grand National horse race is a National Hunt steeplechase held at the Fairyhouse Racecourse in Ratoath, County Meath, in the Republic of Ireland. This annual race is held every Easter Monday during the Fairyhouse Easter Festival. As the biggest steeplechase and one of the most prestigious races in Europe, the Irish Grand National attracts some of the best quality racehorses in the region. This handicap race is only open to horses at least five years of age.
The Fairyhouse Racecourse
The famous Fairyhouse Racecourse has hosted the Irish Grand National throughout the race’s entire long history. This course is a grueling 3 miles and 5 furlongs long and the horses must jump 23 difficult fences by the time they cross the finish line. Because the Fairyhouse Racecourse is so challenging, European trainers like to test their horses out on this course. Horses that perform well at Fairyhouse typically have the stamina needed to excel at other European racecourses.
Brief History of the Irish Grand National Horse Race
The Irish Grand National was established way back in 1870. A horse named Sir Robert Peel won the very first race. Because it is held on Easter Monday, the event attracts many racing fans from Dublin, which earned this race the nickname of “The Dub’s Day Out.” The Irish Distillers sponsored this race under various names for much of the race’s history, but Ladbrokes took over the sponsorship in 2010.
Legends of the Irish Grand National
The horse named Brown Lad is the Irish Grand National’s most successful racehorse, winning three times in 1975, 1976 and 1978. Pat Taaffee is currently the event’s most successful jockey, winning the race six times on six different horses from 1954 to 1966. The most successful trainer during the history of the Irish Grand National is named Tom Dreaper. Mr. Dreaper trained ten winning horses from 1943 to 1966.
Several of the Irish Grand National winners went on to win the Grand National race held at the Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, but no horse has won both races in the same year. The first horse to complete the double was named Ascetic’s Silver, who achieved this feat in the early 1900s. More recent double winners include the horses named Bobbyjo, Numbersixvalverde and Rhyme ‘n’ Reason.
The Irish Grand National’s Top Jockey Family
The Carberry family has had several family members perform successfully as jockeys in the Irish Grand National horse race. Tommy Carberry began the family tradition when he was a jockey in the 1960s and 1970s. He was the overall champion Irish jockey twice before retiring in 1982 to train racehorses.
Tommy’s son, Paul Carberry, also won the champion title twice. Paul took the Irish Grand National in 1998 on Bobbyjo, a horse that his father trained. Tommy’s son Paul has also won this prestigious race, jockeying to victory in 2006. The most recent Carberry to win the Irish Grand National is Tommy’s daughter, Nina Carberry, who won the race in 2011 on Organisedconfusion, a horse trained by her uncle, Arthur Moore.
Having been a trainer and driver of racehorses; having witnessed 1000’s of races over the course of the past 30 years, anything can occur before the race starts. With this knowledge, here are some tips that may assist you in making a good bet, while using your brains instead of your gut reaction.
Although ante-post racing has been a huge market with betters or punters, you should be very careful when placing your bet before race day. Here is my thought on this subject. I never bet on a horse before the horses warm up or parade. I want to see if the horse I am betting on is sound e.g. healthy, not lame on the track. Thoroughbred horse racing is completely different from standardbred horse racing.
Thoroughbreds parade for approximately 10 minutes before the race. Watch for traits indicating lameness. Your horse should not exhibit any limping or favoritism to one leg. White foam, or sweat, observed on the horse’s neck is indicative of nervousness or the horse being “washed out.” Washed out is a term used for a horse that may not race well due to excessive nervousness. A positive indicator that you have a good horse to bet on occurs when the horse “empties out,” another term for “pooping” before the race. I find this to be an advantage, as the horse is relaxed and free of excessive bulk, thereby permitting him to run more quickly.
Harness horse racing is different, as you are able to watch the contenders warm up. Typically the horses are warmed up 60 minutes before the actual race time. This is a perfect time to watch your horse travel around the track. You can see if they are limping or sore. If you observe any incongruence in their running pattern do not bet on them.
An aspect to look for in both thoroughbreds and standardbreds, when determining your winning horse is, “equipment changes.” This alteration in equipment can change the way the horse runs that day. For example, if you see a horse go from blinkers to no blinkers, that horse may be prone to the distraction of his competitors and may try to outrun a horse when they see a competitor coming up, on the outside or inside of the track. There are so many variations of changes of equipment. The track must list equipment changes week to week. Make sure, if you are a serious better, that you check for changes and evaluate how this may alter the outcome of the race.
The last variance I would like to cover is track condition. Imagine you bet on a great horse that cannot lose, in your mind. On race day it rains and the track is muddy. This horse does not like the mud. Those betters who have followed the conditions as it pertains to their winning horse know about this disadvantage and pass on the horse. If you placed the bet days earlier, without this knowledge, you may have bet on a great horse that cannot triumph in mud. This great horse loses and you lose your money. You could have prevented this by not making your early bet. On the other hand, your identified winner may be a horse that loves the mud and under such conditions, may be your winner. You have no way of knowing this if you have not vetted your horse, checked the conditions, examined for equipment changes, and personally seen him parade or warm up.
As you can see, I never bet ante-post for these reasons. A common adage which I frequently refer to is, “You can beat a race, but you cannot beat the races.” However, that has never stopped me from taking the time to exert my knowledge and pick my winner! Horse racing especially races like the Grand National are exciting events that combines skill, talent, and of course - Luck!
David Pipe has made no secret of the fact that he is preparing the talented dual purpose performer Junior for a crack at the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree in April having missed the cut last term, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed that there has been support for the eight-year-old across the board with most firms having laid their 25/1 and some now offering just 16/1 about Junior winning this season’s renewal of the great race, writes Elliot Slater.
The Middleham Park Racing-owned Singspiel gelding has been a tremendous servant to connections and last summer proved himself a particularly useful sort on the level when making every post a winning one to give his owners a day to remember when landing the Ascot Stakes by five-lengths from Elyaadi. He went on to finish an excellent second to Ghimaar on the Goodwood Stakes before reverting back to the winter game with a solid effort in running third to the smart Midnight Chase in the Grade 3 Morson Group Handicap Chase at Cheltenham 12 months ago. People looking for Grand National free bets can’t rule him out.
Second on New Year’s Day in a well contested Cheltenham handicap hurdle, Junior wasn’t seen again until reappearing at the Cheltenham Festival where he put up a stunning performance in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase to run his rivals ragged over the extended three miles, scoring by a memorable 24-length from course specialist Faasel. Spoken of straight after that win as a potential Grand National winner three weeks later, there was much disappointment for ante-post backers when Pipe’s horse missed the cut but now off a much higher rating he is all but guaranteed a run.
The market support for him suggests that Junior is in very good shape at home and it would not surprise if he was campaigned over hurdles until February to protect his current rating ahead of the publication of the Grand National weights in the middle of that month.
For some people April may seem months away but for others it is just right around the corner. That is right. It is time to get ready for the Grand National Championship. This horse race is a most exciting time for horse lovers and race fans both. There are three days of fun and exciting things to do. From women and children to the racers themselves there is something for everyone. It holds appeal too many people and now is the time to purchase your tickets for the anticipated three day event in April.
The first Grand National Championship was held in 1839. It was one by a horse named Lottery. It is now a three day event starting with Liverpool Day on April 12, Ladies Day on April 13, and Grand National Day on April 14. These three days are full of music, fashion, racing, and fun. The race itself is the highest quality of jump racing in the UK. Forty horses will line up and jump 30 fences in four and a half miles. This is a test of the toughest horses and jockeys in the world. You will find many people betting on their horses each year, whether they study the horses and jockeys and their abilities or whether they just pick names and place bets. It is a great tradition and race to watch and will leave you wanting more.
Liverpool Day is in its third year and provides entertainment off the track for this wonderful event. There are concerts held on this day, parades, and sporting legends have also been known to make an appearance. This year on April 12, 2012, Liverpool Day is supposed to be bigger and better than ever.
For the ladies of the races, Ladies Day will be held on April 13. This second day of the three day entertainment package is going to be more stylish than ever. A flourish of fashion shows, make up samplings and giveaways, and grab bag giveaways are going to make up the best Ladies Day ever held. There will be splashes of color in the Red Rum Garden that will be sure to spice up the excitement.
Last, but certainly not least, there is Grand National Day. It only happens once a year and only lasts approximately fifteen minutes. It is that fifteen minutes that will leave you coming back year after year. If you are simply watching the race on television with millions of other people, or if you are one of the lucky ones that can actually be at the Aintree Racecourse in person, it is an experience you are not likely to forget.
So, everyone mark your calendars. April is not too far away. The three day event is quickly approaching and it is time to prepare. The festivities, the entertainment, and the racing are definitely not something that you want to miss. Tickets for this festive three days went on sale in August. It will be a rush of fun and flash for these memorable few days. It is not something that you are going to want to miss.
Jockey A.P. (Tony) McCoy is undoubtedly the most successful and greatest jump-jockey in the history hunt racing. A.P. McCoy has snatched a record of 16 successive jump jockey titles. He has ridden more than 3,000 winners since 1992 and well on his way to breaching the 4,000 mark. It was in 2002 when he finally broke the record for most number of winners in a single season of 269 held by Sir Gordon Richard by riding a record of 289 winners during the 2002 season.
AP set a new milestone in his stellar career as a jump-jockey after he ruled the Grand National on Don’t Push It at Aintree in April 2010. What made this victory even sweeter for AP is the fact that it was one of the few remaining titles that have eluded him and the win came only after 13 failed attempts. Indeed, his triumphal ride at Aintree is the last remaining piece of his personal racing puzzle after having won in the Cheltenham Cup, Champion Chase, Champion Hurdle and King George VI Chase.
Anthony Peter McCoy was born on the 4th of May 1974 in County Antrim, Ireland. He snatched is first ever winner in March 1992 in Ireland at the age of 17. Known for his grit and iron will, A.P. McCoy dedication to the sports is legendary. During his maiden season, he was able to log a record 74 winners and snatched the conditional jockey’s title, and in the following season (1995/96), AP was declared champion jockey. AP McCoy reached the 1000-winner mark with the fastest time and won titles in virtually all big races.
Since his triumph in the 1996 edition of the Grand Annual Chase, AP has strung up 13 successful rides and among his notable wins was in 1997, where he won the Smurfit Champion Hurdle and the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup on Make a Stand. He again set a new record of sorts when he was named Personality of the Year in 2010 by BBC Sports, the first jockey that ever won the award.
Having a 1.78 meter frame, A.P. McCoy diet regimen is as newsworthy as his triumphal rides. In order to maintain his low weight, AP would literally starve himself to 63.5 kg, although his natural weight is pegged at 73 kg. He would go through excruciating and strength sapping routine of going on a run, having a bath and getting out of the routine totally exhausted. He has been through more than 680 falls throughout his storied career and he has come out of some of these bone-crashing incidents with fractures in the lower and middle vertebrae, ribs, cheekbones, shoulder blades, a leg, an ankle and a wrist.
The two day William Hill Winter Festival is scheduled to take place At Kempton Park Racecourse on Boxing Day 26th December and Tuesday 27th December 2011 . The racecourse, which is situated on the outskirts of London, will host the festive two day sporting extravaganza featuring some top class Jump racing. After the excesses of the Christmas celebrations it’s a perfect way for family and friends to watch some thrilling outdoor action. The event which attracts thousands of racing fans to the racecourse near Sunbury-on-Thames, is one of the highlights of the Jump racing season. Seasoned racegoers and newcomers alike will thoroughly enjoy the amazing atmosphere and the chance to make the most of the Christmas Bank Holidays.
First time visitors to Kempton Park should not miss the memorial to one of the best loved race horses of all time, the legendary, Desert Orchid. A life sized statue of him, stands by the side of the Parade Ring, where his ashes are interred and the Desert Orchid Steeple Chase memorial race is now an annual feature of the William Hill Winter Festival. Amy Stark, the racecourses managing director said, “The William Hill Winter Festival at Kempton Park is as much a part of Christmas as turkey, mulled wine and mince pies. Fans of the sport love Boxing Day at Kempton Park and especially the William Hill George V1 Chase, the showpiece race made so famous by the exploits of racehorse legends Desert Orchid and Kauto Star”. The feature race on Boxing Day, the William Hill King George V1 Chase, with prize money of £180,000, it is one of the most valuable races of the Jump racing season. The William Hill Desert Orchid Chase, in memory of the great grey who won so many races at the course, is the highlight of the second day. In January 2011 at the rescheduled King George V1 Steeplechase, Long Run, put in a stunning performance to win ahead of Riverside Theatre and Kempton Park legend, Kauto Star. Long Run should be back to defend his title this year but will face some stiff competition.
Race goers already familiar with Kempton Park will see a great improvement in the facilities in the ground floor of the Main Grandstand. The area has had a makeover during the summer months and now boasts a brand new Costa Coffee shop. Visitors are well catered for with the ‘Kings of Kempton’ bars, the Italian Trattoria and plenty of relaxed seating areas which should ensure a more comfortable experience than ever before. If you’re a jump racing fan, or just like the idea of a breath of fresh air and some sporting excitement after the Christmas festivities, Kempton Park will provide a memorable days entertainment. As the Winter Festival is so popular, pre-booking is advised, plenty of good value packages are available from the racecourse. Kempton Park Racecourse has teamed up with online Eclipse Magazine, [who focus on the social side of racing], to give two lucky readers a PAIR of Paddock admission tickets to the William Hill Winter Festival. A pair of tickets for both days, are up for grabs, with a simple entry form available at www.eclipsemagazine.co.uk
Cork Racecourse Mallow, has recently announced it’s affiliation to national charity, Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland [AADI]. The charity was founded in 2010 and has since placed three trained assistance dogs and six companion dogs with families who have children living with autism. Achieving independence and safety for children suffering from the condition is a priority and the dogs can provide invaluable help for these children. Helping the children improve their interaction and socialisation skills, they are a source of unconditional love and affection and often give their owners the confidence to go out in public. Training service manager, Nuala Geraghty has been working with three more dogs which will be ready to go to homes in Cork, Kildare and Louth very shortly.
Mary Kelly, the Sales and Marketing Manager at Cork Racecourse Mallow, is excited and eager to be working with AADI. ”From the word go, we have built a very strong working relationship with the charity. We wanted to put the racecourse’s ongoing support for the work done by the AADI on a more formal footing by making AADI the course’s official charity which is a national first. We are also working on some exciting projects before the end of the year. It really is an exciting time for Cork Racecourse and AADI”. Brenda Clancy who is the director of fundraising at AADI, is thrilled to have the charity which came into being in 2010, recognised by such a prominent organisation as Cork Racecourse. Nuala Geraghty said, ‚ ” as a charity, AADI does not receive any Government funding, therefore all fundraising activities are vital to the ongoing work of the charity and having seen the difference an assistance dog can make to the daily lives of families dealing with autism, I can genuinely say that every cent can help us to continue making that difference.” Cork Racecourse holds 18 meetings annually with an attendance of over 38,000 and the charity hope to raise their profile within this equestrian setting.
Dan Joe Fitzgerald, the Mayor of Mallow, was full of praise for Cork Racecourse saying , “It’s brilliant to see that despite these tough economic times that a well established organisation such as Cork Racecourse Mallow has chosen to affiliate itself with such a worthy cause. In these economic times, it is essential that businesses of all levels and from all sectors work together and this new venture between the racecourse and AADI is a prime example‚” I’ts hoped by raising the charity’s profile nationwide, they will be able to provide more ‘best friends’, to children who need them.
More information is available at www,corkracecourse.ie and www.aadi.ie.
You’ll often find the professional punters at the Parade Ring just before the race. But what are these guys looking for? Well, simply they are looking for clues to how a horse will perform in the race.
You don’t need to be a horse whisperer to tell when a horse is in good condition. Just look for tell tale signs that can save you wasting money on ‘no hopers’.
So what are the signs that can have you backing a winner?
Firstly you’ll need to get down to the parade ring about 20 minutes before the race is due to go off.
The horses will come into the ring and parade for a couple of minutes. This is your chance to give them a quick once over.
Look at the horses coat, this will give you the best information on the general condition of the horse. A dull coat is not a good sign, look for coats that have a good shine on them. Also some trainers will keep the horse covered during the parade - are they trying to hide something?
Is the horse calm and alert? Horses that are unhappy may well have their heads down or be very agitated. You want a horse to be calm but alert.
Go with your gut feelings, if you get a good feeling watching one particular horse then go with your gut and get a few quid on it.
Unbelievably it is now thirty years since Bob Champion won the Grand National on Aldaniti. In 1979 Bob was riding high in his career as a jockey, when he was given the news that he had cancer in two parts of his body and possibly only a few months to live.
