A look at the most famous horses in the Grand National’s history

It wouldn’t be at all unrealistic to say that The Grand National race brings the whole of the United Kingdom and Ireland to a standstill. Indeed, this National Hunt horse race held annually at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool has a long and illustrious history that dates back to 1839 when it first took place.

Today, this famous race has a special place in the hearts of punters up and down the UK and across the sea in Ireland, and incredibly, draws in millions who aren’t necessarily seasoned horse racing enthusiasts when it comes around. This is down to the excitement of trying to pick a winner based on a jockey’s riding color or, indeed, the name of a horse that punters think will serve as their lucky charm. In short, the Grand National betting odds are highly sought after during this famous festival as people from all walks of life try and channel their inner psychic to pick a winner.

As touched on and as far as Grand National racegoers are concerned, this is normally a spontaneous decision based on punters taking a liking to a certain name of one of the running horses. Horse racing is, after all, famed for the creative names given to horses and there are no shortages of inspiring titles at the Grand National as the class of 2022 runners will prove with Fiddlerontheroof, Run Wild Fred, and Freewheelin Dylan among many others all competing for the famous prize.

But the quirkiness of the names aside, which are the most celebrated horses to run at the Grand National?
Red Rum
There are no two ways about it. Red Rum is by far the most successful horse in Grand National history after winning the event on three different occasions. Indeed, Red Rum incredibly went all the way in 1973, 1974, and 1977 and also finished as runner-up in 1975 and 1976. Needless to say, this champion Thoroughbred steeplechaser became the most famous and loved horse in the UK and Ireland and has remained so ever since.
Tiger Roll
Yes, no horse has managed to capture the public imagination like Red Rum did until Tiger Roll came along and won the Grand National in back-to-back years in 2018 and then again in 2019. This Irish Thoroughbred racehorse instantly became adored by millions and everyone held their breath to see if he could become the first horse to ever win a hat-trick of Grand Nationals.

Only, fate would intervene and stop Tiger Roll from being able to achieve the feat after the 2020 Grand National was canceled. Still, that hasn’t stopped this remarkable horse from going down in Grand National folklore history.
Don’t Push It
Don’t Push It may have only won one Grand National but this English Thoroughbred made all the headlines in 2010 with legendary jockey, Sir AP McCoy. Indeed, McCoy was yet to win the Grand National in 14 previous attempts, despite winning virtually everything else a jockey could win around the world. That was to change in 2010 when Don’t Push It won by five lengths ahead of Black Apalachi to end McCoy’s Grand National hoodoo.