Nickel Coin

Horses | Last ran in 1951
Dam - Viscum
Sire - Pay Up
Dam's Sire - Walter Gay
Born - 1942

Nickel Coin Grand National Wins

  • 1951 - ridden by Johnny Bullock trained by Jack O’Donaghue
Grand National 1951 Nickel Coin
Nickel Coin

Not too many mares have won the Grand National over the years, but one of them to do so was Nickel Coin. She became the 13th mare to win the Grand National in 1951, in a race that was full of drama but one where she was able to hold her nerve and come out on top.

Heading into the race, she wasn’t overly fancied. It was her first attempt at the Grand National, so she lacked experience and was sent off at odds of 40/1 on the day.

A first fence pile-up saw 12 horses exit the race at the first jump. A third of the field, combined with soft ground, saw just three finish. From a long way out, just Royal Tan and Nickel Coin were left way in front and were set to fight out the finish.

Heading to the last, Royal Tan was going best and fancied to win, but a final fence blunder cost him. He would eventually gain compensation later in life, winning the 1954 Grand National, but this was one that got away from him.

But credit to Nickel Coin, who stuck there with him throughout and took advantage of the mistake to kick clear on the run in and win the race.

Immediately after winning at Aintree, attention switched from the course to the breeding barn, winning a Grand National made Nickel Coin valuable as a broodmare. She would never race after winning the Grand National and would go on to produce three foals for racing.

Full Results

Year Result Prize Money Handicap Jockey Trainer
1951 1 £8480 10-1 Johnny Bullock Jack O’Donaghue