As the Grand National is about to get underway at Aintree Racecourse, it's fair to say the race has seen its fair share of big and dramatic moments over time.
The first Grand National was run in 1839 - but today it sees millions watch from across the globe. The Grand National three day festival this year begins tomorrow, April 13.
The second day of the festival on Friday is traditionally known as Ladies Day, when racegoers can let their hair down and the boldest fashions are on display. And the Saturday culminates with the Grand National race itself, the Liverpool ECHO previously reported.
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There have been more than a handful of incidents over the years, some which have tested not only those competing, but those watching from the stands. As we gear up for this year's Grand National, the ECHO has taken a brief look back at some big and dramatic moments at Aintree - from some more on the lighters side to others that will forever remain part of the event's history.
This list isn't intended to be comprehensive, we've included a number of the biggest and dramatic moments at the Grand National through the years. But if you feel there is something we should have included, let us know in the comments section below.
Red Rum being a three-time winner
This year marks 50 years since Red Rum recorded the first of three victories in Grand National history, earning his place in the record books forever. To this day, he remains the only horse to have won three Grand Nationals - taking home the title in 1973, 1974 and 1977.
What makes Red Rum's story even more remarkable is he achieved all this after overcoming the bone disease Pedal Osteitis in his hoof - something which should have rendered him unraceable. It was Southport car dealer Ginger McCain who spotted Red Rum and bought him, famously training the horse on the sands at Southport beach.
Following his retirement in 1978, Red Rum died on October 18, 1995, aged 30. He is buried at the winning post of the Aintree Racecourse.
Aldaniti wins with jockey Bob Champion
In 1981, the Grand National was won by a horse and rider whose stories were both so unbelievable - they made a film about it. It was a tale of victory for courage and determination against adversity.
Successful jockey Bob Champion had been told just two years earlier he only had months to live after being diagnosed with cancer. Aldaniti, the horse he rode, had almost retired because of a leg injury, but against the odds they crossed the line to victory.
Bob Champion's life story inspired the 1983 film Champions, starring John Hurt. Bob Champion made a full recovery and, with the help of Aldaniti who died in 1997 aged 27, they raised millions of pounds for cancer research.
The 'darkest day in the race's history'
Often called the darkest day in the history of the Grand National, in 1993 there was chaos on the track after a series of false starts. After a second false start, 30 out of the 39 jockeys began the race despite the false start being called.
Esha Ness, ridden by John White, crossed the finishing line first only to discover the race had been declared void. The debacle prompted racing commentator Sir Peter O’Sullevan (correct spelling) described it as "the greatest disaster in the history of the Grand National."
It was the first and so far only time that the steeplechase was declared void. The Jockey Club decided not to re-run the race, and as a result it has often been called "the race that never was". Bookmakers were also forced to refund an estimated £75 million in bets.
The many faces of celebrities at Aintree
Aintree is one of the most glamorous and exciting events of the year. So it's no wonder many high profile celebrities have graced the stands for the Grand National festival in the past.
Over the years, arguably some of biggest moments for racegoers have also been spotting a few famous faces. From royalty to local celebrities, Aintree is always guaranteed to attract people in the public eye.
The Grand National has welcomed everyone from Coleen Rooney, Alex Gerrard and Rebecca Ferguson to Cilla Black, Gok Wan, Paddy McGuiness, Peter Kay, John Major, Johnny Vegas, King Charless and Princess Diana, Princess Anne, Kenny Dalglish and more. In more recent years, we've seen the likes of Paddy the Baddy and Conor McGregor too.
Grand National postponed due to coded IRA bomb threat
On April 5, 1997, phone calls to Aintree University Hospital in Fazakerley, and then a police station in Bootle, prompted emergency services to evacuate 60,000 people who had descended on Aintree Racecourse for the Grand National. Using recognised code words used by the Irish Republican Army (IRA), it was warned a device had been planted inside the racecourse, less than an hour before the big race was to start. This was one of several IRA bomb scares in the run up to the 1997 General Election.
Following the chaos, 20,000 travelling racegoers were left stranded. They were put up in hotels and emergency accommodation while also receiving offers of a roof over their heads from kind-hearted Liverpudlians.
Bomb squads carried out two controlled explosions on suspect packages at the course but neither were later discovered to have contained any threat. Following the abandonment of the race, the Grand National took place two days later on Monday, 7, 1997, in front of a crowd of 20,000 who saw Lord Gyllene gallop home to a 25-length victory.
Fashion moments
In more recent decades, the Grand National has seen guests dress to impress. But fashion moments aren't just about the women.
There was a lot of fuss over Borini's pink trousers in 2015. A standout memory amongst a number of fashion moments, the then Liverpool FC striker arrived for Grand Opening Day at Aintree in an outfit which got Twitter talking.
Borini and fiancee Erin O'Neill were among thousands of racegoers making their way to Aintree for the traditional curtain-raiser to the festival.
Are you attending this year's Grand National? Let us know in the comments section below.
The 'finishing line stunt'
One of the more out there moments in Aintree's history, back in 2016, pranksters at Aintree Racecourse created a human pyramid to promote a bookmaker as the Grand National entered its final moments, before being asked to leave.
At the time, three people climbed onto each other's shoulders, supported by others on the ground, before unfurling a banner with the logo of Paddy Pow Catalan troop Castellers De Vilafranca were employed by Paddy Power to build the tower, which took four minutes.
A spokesman said: "The Grand National is notoriously difficult to predict and we thought we’d spring a surprise of our own off the track with our latest stunt. "As all the short skirts and fake tan will tell you, it’s all about standing out on Grand National day, and we believe that our 30ft stack of Catalans will raise a few smiles and eyebrows amongst racing fans and casual punters alike."
Aintree as a virtual simulation
In events that couldn't have been predicted by anyone, the 2020 Grand National was run as a virtual simulation due to the coronavirus pandemic. With all racing suspended, the race was run digitally, with 40 runners who would have been most likely to take part at Aintree.
The virtual race was televised by ITV, using CGI technology and special algorithms to produce the most accurate result possible. The animated race included virtual ambulances following the runners and riders around the course, and shots of the excited crowd.
The race was won by 18-1 Potters Corner with Walk In The Mill second, Any Second Now third and superstar 2018 and 2019 Tiger Roll coming in fourth.
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Rachael Blackmore's historic win
This moment was one for the history books. The final day of the Grand National 2021 saw history made, as Rachael Blackmore became the first female rider to win the Grand National.
Despite there being no crowds, the world was watching at home, as Minella Times was first to pass the racing post. Few people in sport, let alone the world of horse racing, could have had such glass ceiling-shattering three weeks as the then 31-year-old jockey.
To begin with, she became the first-ever female top jockey at the Cheltenham Festival – delivering a scintillating six winners and swatting away all rivals before her. Having had barely any time to breathe since, she achieved what no other woman could in 172 years of Grand National running before her.
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