Glenside

Glenside would run in the Grand National a total of three times in his career. He would fail to finish the first and last of those, in 1910 and 1912, but would make amends and win the middle race in 1911.

Firstly, this was not your average horse, Glenside was a one-eyed horse who would have real success in racing, showing great character to be a strong runner, despite missing an eye.

As for the 1911 Grand National win, it was certainly dramatic. The race was run in heavy ground, some of the worst conditions of the era, and that made it tough for them all, it was survival of the fittest around Aintree that day.

26 runners would set off at the start of the race, and only four managed to finish, which shows just how tough it was out there. Glenside, trained by Captain Collis and ridden by Jack Anthony, this horse was simply the one who toughed it out the best.

With so many fallers in the race, it was simply a case of being sensible and staying upright, which jockey Anthony did really well. He would come through to lead quite late in the race, and from there on, never saw another rival and crossed the line in first place.

While Glenside didn’t really go on to have a big career in racing, this victory will always be by his side. The tough conditions brought out the best in him, where others failed to negotiate the test on offer.

 

 

Full Results