How Many Grey Horses Have Won The Grand National?

Everybody loves a gray horse – proper? However have you learnt what number of gray horses have received the Grand National? The reply is definitely not that many – simply three.

We check out the three massive equine greys to have received the Grand National, plus see if there are any potential gray horses working within the 2023 Aintree race on Saturday fifteenth April.

There Have Solely Been Three Previous Grand National Winners

The Grand National was first run again in 1839, with the primary winners aptly named Lottery. However, over time the world-famous steeplechase has solely produced three successful gray horses.

As regular, with the gray horses in style, we will count on the ‘once-a-year’ Grand National punters to latch onto any greys within the 2023 race (extra on that beneath), with their Grand National odds prone to be shortened because the race will get nearer.

However, a phrase of warning in case you are planning on backing a gray. Historical past tells us it’s been the bookies which have held sway in terms of having to pay out on a gray horse successful the Grand National.

We’ve solely seen three Grand Nationals received by a gray horse – however the identical horse (The Lamb) did handle to win it twice, so technically the race has been received FOUR occasions by a gray colored horse.

Neptune Collonges Was the Most-Latest Profitable Grand National Grey in 2012

The horse that also holds the tag as being the newest gray horse to win the National is the Paul Nicholls-trained Neptune Collonges.

But it surely might have simply been a special story because the 11 year-old, who had been positioned within the Cheltenham Gold Cup earlier than, solely simply received up on the road.

You may relive the end beneath, however jockey Daryl Jacob needed to be at his strongest to get the gray over the road, with Sunnyhillboy only a nostril down on the successful publish.

The win additionally supplied the a number of champion coach Paul Nicholls together with his first Grand National win – and he’s but so as to add to that tally.

The gray’s Grand National feat was additionally made even particular as he carried an enormous weight of 11st 6lbs to victory. This was the most important successful weight since Pink Rum in 1977.

Neptune Collonges by no means raced once more after successful the 2012 Grand National – however he was aged 11 on the time.

Nicolaus Silver Made It A ‘Grey Day’ For Punters In 1961

Subsequent up is was the Fred Rimell-trained Nicolaus Silver to enter the ‘gray Grand National hall-of-fame’. The 9 year-old was solely the second gray to cross the road in entrance within the Aintree showcase race – with jockey Bobby Beasley doing the steering.

The horse returned at 28/1 within the Grand National betting market that 12 months – successful with simply 10st 1lb and in a time of 9m 22.6 secs.

When you’ve by no means seen the 1961 race – you may watch it beneath in black and white – however fortunately Nicolaus Silver is simple to select!

The Lamb Was The First Ever Profitable Grey In 1868

It was a horse known as The Lamb that may at all times have the title of being the first-ever gray horse to win the Grand National.

This occurred method again in 1868 and remarkably The Lamb was solely aged 6 on the time. He carried 10st 7lbs to victory and was ridden by George Ede and skilled by Ben Land. The horse returned at 9/1, so was well-fancied by the betting public on the time too.

The Colonel (not a gray) received the subsequent two Nationals, however The Lamb managed to wrestle again is ‘gray crown’ in 1871 – three years after his first National win. Throughout that point, he’d modified trainers and was now with Chris Inexperienced and on this event ridden by Mr Tommy Pickernell, who had already steered house the 1860 National winner.

Sorry of us, being the wins for The Lamb had been in 1868 and 1871 – there is no such thing as a video footage!

Potential Grey 2023 Grand National Runners

Gaillard Du Mesnil National Hunt — Gaillard Du Mesnil – a doable 2023 Grand National runner

Gaillard Du Mesnil – From the Willie Mullins yard, this 7 year-old gray was additionally seen successful the NH Chase on the Cheltenham Competition. He stayed on properly that day over 3m6f to counsel the longer Grand National journey will go well with and was additionally third within the 2022 Irish Grand National.

Vanillier – Irish raider from the Gavin Cromwell yard and will get in right here with a light-weight weight (10-6). Final seen working a detailed second to the helpful Kemboy at Fairyhouse within the Bobbyjo Chase, which might typically be a good information to the National.

Coko Seaside – eighth within the Grand National final 12 months and is again for extra one other 12 months older (8) and rated 5lbs increased. From the Gordon Elliott yard which have three National wins to their identify and can also be owned by Gigginstown Home Stud, who has received the National thrice since 2016.

Eva’s Oskar – At present quantity 54, so wants 14 horses forward of him to return out. his Tim Vaughan-trained gray would have an opportunity although if making the race having run a good 4th within the Eider Chase final time at Newcastle over 4m 1 1/2f. The 9 year-old would additionally carry simply 10-1.

Farclas – One other Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown doable runner. The 9 year-old gray was fifth within the 2021 Grand National too – crushed 29 lengths, however is rated 5lbs increased this time. Bit to reply although too, having been pulled in his final two races.

Snow Leopardess Was Properly-Fancied in 2022 However Was Pulled Up

In 2022 many thought we’d see a brand new identify enter the gray record because the Charlie Longsdon-trained Snow Leopardess was despatched off a well-fancied 10/1. However, the horse was at all times struggling and was finally pulled-up on the sixteenth fence.

Why Do Grey Racehorses Get Extra Consideration?

It’s query. But it surely’s most likely right down to the actual fact the gray horses are uncommon and horse racing followers don’t see them as typically in races. Therefore, once they do – they standout extra after which when gray pops up it’s extra prone to seize the eye of the betting public and the broader inhabitants.

Dessie Orchid was a major instance of this. Regardless of not working within the Grand National he landed the Cheltenham Gold Cup and lots of King George VI Chases throughout his profession.

Dessie grew to become a family identify and one of many most-famous UK racehorses of all time. Even after his racing profession ended his equine superstar standing continued as he opened betting retailers and made many TV appearances.

How Can You Inform If a Horse Is a Grey By The Racecard?

When trying on the 2023 Grand National runners, when you click on on the horse, it should deliver up it’s kind. Or in case you are trying on the racecard within the paper – you can too discover out if a horse is gray.

You might be searching for the ‘gr’ subsequent to its date of beginning – the gr = gray, whereas the g (within the instance beneath) tells is the horse is a gelding.

That is the place the color of every horse will probably be proven – different examples are br = brown and ch = chestnut.

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