Aintree Racecourse
Aintree Racecourse is a world famous horse racing venue which is located in Liverpool, England. The track gained recognition through its affiliation with the Grand National, a horse race which occurs once a year in April. Other events take place at the facility throughout the racing season.
During the 19th century, the Aintree facility was under the management of an Innkeeper named William Lynn. He organized a hare coursing competition in 1820, which was known as the “Waterloo Cup”. Some years later, he leased an area of Aintree land from Lord Sefton and with Lord Molyneux’s help was able to create a flat horse racing track and grandstand.
The first event to take place was the nine-furlong Croxteth Stakes. By 1835, William Lynn had arranged three meetings annually. The following year, he had hurdles installed to mark the beginning of the venues first jump competition, known as the Grand Liverpool Steeplechase. The first Grand National happened just a few years later.
The race was a weight-for-age competition over two circuits with 30 jumps throughout the course. The first winner was a horse called Lottery, ridden by Jem Mason. Conrad, ridden by Captain Martin Becher, had been the favourite to win but fell at the sixth fence, plunging his rider into the water. Subsequently, the hurdle was given the name “Becher’s Brook”.
Over the years, many of the hurdles have been given individual names. In 1967, the seventh obstacle was nicknamed “Foinavon Fence” in honour of the horse that conquered when all of the other horse’s failed to jump. In 1840, the ninth hurdle fence was named “St. Valentine’s Brook” in respect for a horse that famously twisted its body as it successfully jumped the fence. The Grand National has been using the same handicap format since 1943. Local handicapper Edward Topham obtained the lease for Aintree in 1948 and a year later he bought the whole property. Throughout history, there are many famous horses to have won the Grand National, including Manifesto. The bay gelding raced eight times between 1895 and 1904, winning twice. The much-loved horse Red Rum won the race three times during the 1970s.
Today the Grand National attracts the attention of approximately 600 million people worldwide.
Aintree also hosts other races throughout the year including the Family Fun Day and Old Roan Chase Day, which are held in October, and Becher Chase Day in December. The autumn race tickets give the public full access to the grandstands. Aintree boasts many top class facilities. The County Stand and Aldaniti Stand offer the best views as they are both situated near to the finishing post. The Queen Mother Stand has the prime position being close to the starting and finishing lines. Out of all of the enclosures, the Tattersall Enclosure is the biggest and now features a new Aintree Pavilion which offers betting facilities, including viewing screens, bars and music.
The Earl of Derby Stand was created in 2007, and has far reaching views of the whole track. The Princess Royal Stand and the Lord Sefton Stand are both situated between the Chair and the Water jump and provide good views of the course. Racecourse admission packages can be purchased to include restaurant dining, bar and waitress service, free car parking, Tote betting and a free race card.
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