Seaman (2)

The story of Seaman, winner of the 1882 Grand National, is one of the most remarkable and endearing in the race’s long and colourful history.

His victory was not only unexpected but came under some of the most gruelling conditions Aintree had ever seen. This was made all the more extraordinary by the unusual way he came to be entered in the race at all.

Seaman was owned by Lord Manners, a young aristocrat and amateur rider with a strong passion for horse racing. As the story goes, he entered into a friendly wager with friends that he could buy, train, and ride the winner of the Grand National, and do it all within the space of a few months.

At the time, his friends probably laughed at him. Manners had limited riding experience at the top level, and the National was the most demanding steeplechase in the world, which it still is.

Manners purchased Seaman, a capable gelding who had seen better days and was thought to be past his prime. Many considered the idea of even completing the course a long shot, let alone winning.

But Manners was determined, and he partly trained the horse himself, as well as committing to riding him at Aintree. It was all systems go for the big day.

When the race arrived, Aintree was blanketed in snow and freezing conditions. The ground was described as treacherous, frozen in places, with patches of deep slush elsewhere.

It was an actual test of stamina, courage, and resilience for both equine and human competitors. Out of the 12 starters, only a few would make it home, and there should have been more than 12 starting, but some were pulled out on the morning of the race due to conditions.

Manners rode Seaman with caution early on, keeping the horse out of trouble as other contenders struggled with the conditions. As the race developed, it became clear that stamina would be the deciding factor, something that Seaman had.

One by one, rivals dropped away, leaving a small group in contention heading into the closing stages.

Seaman, despite tiring badly, was still in touch at this point, and in with a chance. His legs were almost buckling with exhaustion, and many in the crowd feared he would not finish.

But Lord Manners kept urging him on, showing remarkable horsemanship and sheer determination. In the final strides, Seaman found just enough to edge ahead and win by a head, collapsing just after the finish line from sheer fatigue.

It was an astonishing victory. Seaman, the horse no one expected to win, had conquered Aintree’s brutal conditions. Lord Manners, the amateur who took on the professional field, had fulfilled his wager in unforgettable fashion.

Their triumph was widely celebrated and has since become one of the legendary tales of the Grand National, a story of belief, perseverance, and the bond between horse and rider.

Seaman never raced again, though, as the effort of his National victory had taken everything out of him, and he was retired immediately after the race.

But he had done his job and won the accolades he was bought for. He had his moment in the sun, or snow, given the conditions on the day, and fulfilled Manners’ dream of buying, owning and riding a Grand National winner.

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