The Aintree John Smith Grand National is one of the most expected horse race in the world right now and the date has come upon us far quicker than many of us realized. For those who don’t know, it is a jumping race, which obviously means that obstacles are placed in the way which the horses must jump over. What makes the John Smith Grand National so special is the intricate history it has and feelings it leaves in the national memory.

Of all the races this one has come particularly far from it’s roots and now stands as one of the nation’s favorites. Starting back in 1829 organized by a syndicate, the first race was a flat race won by a horse named Mufti. For a while they had three meetings a year, each time accompanied by almost 40,000 people. It would start significantly changing in 1835 when they added the first stone walls and made their first jump fixtures on the track. Lottery was the first winner of these races, becoming a national favorite as well as sealing the horse race into national memory which allowed for the race track to continue to expand. With the growing popularity, they had to make an expansion and in 1953 another race track was added for jumping races. Feeling prosperous the owners built a motor racing track as well the next year, bringing in more people. They even hosted a number of Grand Prixs because of this expansion.

The good times could not last and the property had to be sold. This caused much turmoil for people nation wide as no one seemed quite sure if the new owner really had is heart in the races like themselves and this feeling never really went away after he tripled the admission price to the largest of the races, the Grand National. When Davies announced he was selling the whole thing, many fans were dismayed but ran to their pocket books when it was suggested that all the fans could put together enough money to save the race course. They did not make it in time, but were bailed out by someone else, who has made a point of restoring the old course back to it’s old recognition as one of the best. It has been successful securing great horses, jockeys and sponsors to keep the sport and the event alive and well in Liverpool.

It is now associated with Red Rum one of the most famous horses to race, being the race that really made him give it his all. With the new walls that have been built it once again stands as the true test of a horse.