Jack Horner

Jack Horner would win the Grand National in 1926, his second attempt at the famous Aintree showpiece. He would be in the race a year earlier, managing to complete the course but only finishing in 7^th.

He would use his experience well and come back a better horse, though, despite his experience, he wasn’t overly fancied by punters. Sent off with an SP of 25/1, the nine year old would go on to win the race by three lengths.

The team behind Jack Horner were not your typical team, this was a real international success, which is rare in the modern era, but with travel restrictions, even more rare at the time.

Ownership of the horse was American, he was owned by a man named Charles Schwartz. Alongside this, he was ridden by a jockey from New Zealand, as Billy Watkinson took the mount, his sixth attempt at the Grand National and his only win.

To make the occasion even more special for owner Schwartz, the horse was actually purchased by him only a week before the Grand National. He spent 5000 Guineas on the horse a week before Aintree and would win the top prize of £5000, which, at the time, was an instant profit for him.

It was a race packed with problems as runners went around, but most of the action took place at the front of the contest. Many of the front runners fell and had other problems. Further back in the field, Jack Horner was able to slowly navigate his way around the course and avoid the trouble happening in front of him.

It was excellent horsemanship from Wilkinson, who was riding like a seasoned veteran around Aintree, and ultimately, he would bring home his mount in front of the field to record the win.

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