The Grand National is a famous horse race held annually at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, England. It is the most prestigious race in the National Hunt racing calendar, and is one of the most prestigious events in British sport. It is also one of the toughest and most difficult races in the world, with a course that is over four and a half miles long and featuring thirty fences. It is a race that has seen many legendary horses and jockeys come and go, but it is also a race that has seen some unlikely winners too. One of the biggest shocks in the race’s history was when the 100/1 outsider Mon Mome, ridden by Liam Treadwell, won in 2009. But how many other 100/1 horses have won the Grand National?
The History of 100/1 Grand National Winners
The Grand National has been running since 1839, and in that time there have been some unlikely winners. The first 100/1 winner of the Grand National was a horse called The Lamb, ridden by Jem Mason in 1868. The Lamb was an unknown horse and Mason was an amateur jockey, but they managed to beat the odds and win the race. Since then there have been three other 100/1 winners of the Grand National: Tipperary Tim in 1928, Gregalach in 1929 and Mon Mome in 2009.
Tipperary Tim – 1928
Tipperary Tim was a nine-year-old bay gelding owned by Major Edmund Workman. He was trained by Fred Rees and ridden by John ‘Jack’ Anthony. Tipperary Tim had won races before, but he was not expected to win the Grand National. He was a 100/1 outsider and was not even the favourite for his own stable. Nonetheless, he managed to win the race by two lengths, becoming the second horse to win the Grand National at 100/1.
Gregalach – 1929
Gregalach was a seven-year-old bay gelding owned by Major R.H. Graham. He was trained by Frank Hartigan and ridden by jockey Pat Taaffe. Gregalach had previously won the Grand National Trial and had finished second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but he was still considered to be an outsider for the Grand National. Nonetheless, he managed to win the race and become the third horse to win the Grand National at 100/1.
Mon Mome – 2009
Mon Mome was a ten-year-old bay gelding owned by Vida Bingham. He was trained by Venetia Williams and ridden by jockey Liam Treadwell. Mon Mome had finished ninth in the previous year’s Grand National, but he was still a 100/1 outsider for the 2009 race. However, he managed to win the race and become the fourth horse to win the Grand National at 100/1.
Conclusion
The Grand National is a difficult and unpredictable race, and it is not uncommon for outsiders to win. In the history of the race, there have been four 100/1 winners: The Lamb in 1868, Tipperary Tim in 1928, Gregalach in 1929 and Mon Mome in 2009. All four of these horses were unlikely winners, but they managed to defy the odds and become legends of the Grand National.