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Aintree race course is one of the most legendary racecourses in the country and is sited on the A59 at Ormskirk Road, Aintree (Liverpool) in the northern outer edge of Liverpool, just six miles from the metropolitan centre. The race course occupies 250 acres and has two left-handed racing circuits. The first, the Mildmay Course is rectangular and opened in 1953. It is nearly one and a half miles in distance end to end, with sharp corners and steeplechase fences. The Grand National route isn’t as sharp as the Mildmay course but is much more difficult which is why it is known as one of the toughest races in the country - one which all horse owners would aim to acquire access to. The
Grand National course is far longer than the Mildmay at almost two and a quarter miles, and is entirely flat, with fences that have a drop on the landing side lower than the take-off side.

William Lynn is the gentleman responsible for bringing gee gees to the village of Aintree. Lynn was the landlord of the Waterloo Hotel, and began gee gees on the land which he rented from the Earl of Sefton. The grandstand started being constructed in 1829 and after 5 months the first gathering for Flat races was held. They didn’t start hurdle racing until 1836, when the original Liverpool Grand Steeplechase was held at Aintree on February 29th. This chase was claimed by some as being the original ever Grand National and was won by The Duke, ridden by Captain Martin Becher. However, the more recognizable Liverpool Steeplechase of 1839 is acknowledged as the original, and was won by Lottery, ridden by Jem Mason. The race of 1839 was a four miler, across country, and the regulation was that ‘no rider to open a gate or ride through a entryway, or more than 100 yards along any way, bridle path or driftway’.

The race course was used during the first world war by the Army, and after the 1940 National it was again requisitioned by the armed forces. Racing resumed in 1946 and in 1949 the race course was purchased by Messrs Topham Ltd; who had rented the land for about a 100 years; from the Earl of Sefton for 275,000. Mirabel Topham, an creative soul, went on to create the Mildmay course and a motor circuit which held the Euro Grand Prix and five United kingdom Grand Prix.

Bill Davies purchased the race course in 1973 for 3 million and in 1975 Ladbrokes saved the Grand National, which was in peril of fading, by supervision and administering it for seven years at a yearly charge of 250,000. In 1983 the race course was deemed safe when the Jockey Club purchased it.

Aintree is now more able for use with vehicle links highly enhanced. In the beginning it could only be reached by train, but now it is reached by car, coach or air. There is a six acre enclosure for landing by helicopter or the John Lennon airport 20 minutes drive away, celebrations. Meaning guests to Aintree have a improved experience. Meaning everyone enjoys the Grand National festival even more.

The Grand National 2010 is England’s most prestigious steeple chase festival in the world. Once a year about 40 runners get ready to tackle the famous Aintree course. The course is four and half miles long, made up of 30 massive fences, the National is prehaps the hardest test of horse and jockey in the world.

A lot of the Nationals appeal lies in the complicatedness of the race. With such a grueling course the chances of a fav doing well are remote! This just makes it more fun for those who watch on TV. In the last 100 years only eleven favourites have managed won the National. Recently the jumps have been made smaller to stop the horses and jockeys from getting injured but, it remains one of the most open races in the United Kingdom.

Sea The Stars Goes To Stud

Following Sea The Stars’ captivating victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp, it has been questioned whether he is the greatest Flat racehorse ever to have existed. The horse bred from Cape Cross and mare Urban Sea has provided horseracing with one of the greatest horses to ever grace the turf. So it has come as a bit of a shock to hear that he is going to be retired. Some, although well able to admit his brilliance refuse to believe that he is one of the three greatest racehorses of all time. Joe Mercer, a former champion jockey who rode Brigadier Gerard in the early 1970s, is one voice of skepticism. He fears that we are in danger of being swept up in the momentary hype, but he remembers horses such as Galileo who won the King George in 2001. Back then everyone thought that Galileo was the best horse that had ever been seen – and as Mercer affirms: you can’t have a best horse you’ve ever seen every other year! He points out that the horse he rode, Brigadier Gerard won thirteen Group Ones, whereas Sea The Stars has only won six.

Others though have been less hesitant to vilify Sea The Stars. Pat Eddery who rode Dancing Brave to victory in the Prix de l’Arc in 1986 has said that Sea The Stars is ‘up there with the best’, and laughed at the suggestion that he might resent the current champion being regarded by many as a better horse than the one he rode.