Manifesto

Manifesto is widely regarded as one of the greatest horses in the history of the Grand National, a steeplechasing icon whose name is forever linked with Aintree.

Foaled in 1888, Manifesto was sired by Man o’ War out of Vae Victis and was bred in Ireland.

A striking chestnut with huge stamina and courage, he built an extraordinary career around the Grand National, becoming a two-time winner and a frequent contender in one of the world’s toughest horse races.

For some, he is the best Grand National horse of all time, but I think we can all agree that he’s certainly top five, a real star of the race, in the infancy of it, and one that the public simply adored.

Full Results

Dual Grand National Winner Manifesto

His Grand National record is nothing short of legendary. Manifesto ran in the race a remarkable eight times between 1895 and 1904, winning twice, finishing in the top four on six occasions, and becoming a crowd favourite for his consistency, longevity, and sheer heart.

Manifesto’s first Grand National appearance came in 1895, when he finished fourth as a seven-year-old. He returned in 1896 but was brought down. In 1897, at the age of nine, he captured his first Grand National title, carrying 11st 3lb to victory. Trained by Willie Moore and ridden by Terry Kavanagh, he produced a brilliant display of jumping and stamina to triumph in what was considered a strong field at the time.

Then, in 1899, his first time back at Aintree two years on, he regained the title in an astonishing fashion. At 12 years old, Manifesto carried a staggering 12st 7lbm, the joint top weight ever carried to victory at the time, and he would still win convincingly, showing his class and durability.

Few horses could shoulder that burden over such a punishing four-mile-plus test, and his performance remains one of the greatest in Grand National history.

Manifesto continued to contest the race even into his teenage years. He was third in 1900 and again in 1902 and 1903, the last of those coming at the age of 14.

He ran a gallant final National in 1904 at the age of 16, finishing ninth. Across his eight runs, he amassed two wins and added four placed efforts to that, so it was six finishes inside the top four from a total of eight runs.

Manifesto was also known for his spirited nature and strong will, which endeared him to the racing public. He competed during a golden era of steeplechasing and often ran under heavy weights, yet he remained a constant danger and a fan favourite year after year.

Racing was looking for a hero at the time, and Manifesto gave them one. His performances, given the tasks he was set, remain some of the most loved by fans. It’s easy to see why so many people fell in love with him as a racehorse.

After retirement, Manifesto lived out his days in comfort and continued to receive admiration from the general public. He died in 1908 at the age of 20, and his name has since become synonymous with Grand National greatness. A tribute to his legacy can still be found at Aintree Racecourse, where a bar named “Manifesto” honours his place in the race’s history.

Manifesto wasn’t just a great horse, arguably, he was the early Grand National horse, perhaps the first real horse that the public fell in love with for his track performances.

His record, resilience, and brilliance over nearly a decade on the track made him a sporting hero and one of the most beloved jumpers in racing history.

The Grand National offers a stage for both people and horses to turn themselves into heroes. That’s a strong word, but the love for Manifesto and his performances on the track have to put him in that kind of category when you compare runners in the history books.