Royal Tan Grand National Wins
- 1954 - ridden by Bryan Marshall trained by M Vincent O’Brien

Royal Tan would have written his name into the history books as a Grand National participant regardless of his race record, with a total of six runs in the space of seven years at Aintree.
However, he cemented his place in style thanks to his record, one win, one second-placed effort and one third-placed finish from those six runs. He was a real favourite at the time with horse racing fans and a horse who loved Aintree, and if it wasn’t for a fall at the final fence, he would have more than likely recorded four places or better from his six runs.
The Grand National section of his career would begin with a second-place finish in 1951, where a young Royal Tan would just lack the experience to get up and win the contest, but that would stand him in good stead for what was to come in the future.
From there, he would fall at the final fence in 1952, a year later, when he was looking to be involved in the finish, in 3rd at the time. After a year off, in 1954, Royal Tan would finally get the Grand National win he deserved.
The 10-year-old at the time sent off at 8/1 with plenty of confidence behind him. It would be close, but Royal Tan would beat Tudor Line by a neck.
The horse was already a favourite, running for the third time, and it was a good job, too, ensuring he got plenty of praise because this was also a big moment for the owner and trainer.
Vincent O’Brien would land his second Grand National in a row as a trainer, winning the race a year earlier, while jockey Brian Marshall would complete the same feat, also winning the race a year earlier.
After winning the race, Royal Tan would not go away from the Grand National. He would be back for three more attempts over the next three years. A 12th-placed finish would come in 1955 when he was defending his title, followed by 3rd in 1956 to place, and then in his final attempt, 1957, he was run out in the early stages by a loose horse.
Royal Tan’s Big Race Wins
The record books are a little sketchy around Royal Tan, but from what we can see, he didn’t really go on to win any other big races during his career.
Of course, becoming such a Grand National legend took away plenty from the rest of his career. He was specifically trained for the race throughout almost his entire career.
He is a horse that will forever be associated with the Grand National due to running six times in the race, and deservedly, he got one win on the board, plus a couple of placed efforts.
Full Results
Year | Result | Prize Money | Handicap | Jockey | Trainer |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1957 | Fence 6 - Carried Out | - | 11-12 | Toss Taaffe | M Vincent O’Brien |
1956 | 3 | - | 12-1 | Toss Taaffe | M Vincent O’Brien |
1955 | 12 | - | 12-4 | David Dick | M Vincent O’Brien |
1954 | 1 | £8571 10s | 11-7 | Bryan Marshall | M Vincent O’Brien |
1952 | Fence 30 - Fell | - | 11-6 | Phonsie O’Brien | Unknown |
1951 | 2 | £940 | 10-13 | Phonsie O’Brien | M Vincent O’Brien |