1837 Grand National: Results, Runners & Fallers

The 1837 Grand National was at the time known as the Grand Liverpool Steeplechase and also, at the time, was known to be the second running of this race. However, some 30 years later, the first three running’s were declared unofficial, and wiped from the history books retrospectively.

At the time, these were quite unorganised races, with very few runners taking part, the race definitely went down a more professional route when it became an official contest.

The winner in 1837 was a familiar face, as The Duke would make it back-to-back Grand National wins after taking the first contest 12 months earlier. This was a horse that would only ever run in the early, unofficial runnings of the race, running in all three.

A winner in 1836, backing that up with another win in 1837, and then a 3^rd placed effort in 1838. He had a great record, but it all came in races that would not be part of the official history books.

A total of four runners would take part in this race; the field was set to be seven, but three of the intended runners were non-runners on the day.

To make this win even more impressive, The Duke actually refused to jump the first fence and needed to be put into the race a second time to really get going.

However, he didn’t need to wait long before catching up, as all three of his rivals would refuse to jump the third fence and take multiple times to get over it. The Duke built up a big lead at this point and would keep it, coming away to win the race by a total of 12 lengths.

The trainer of The Duke was not recorded anywhere during either of his two victories or when he finished third either, so we don’t have a name to put to that.

Jockey on board for this win in 1837 was Henry Potts, who was having his one and only Grand National ride here, leaving the race behind with a perfect record intact.

Despite winning a year earlier, The Duke was sent off at 6/1 to win again here, which made him third in the betting out of four runners.

According to figures, the race was run in a time of 14 minutes, which means The Duke knocked off more than five minutes from his winning time 12 months earlier.

Results

Non Finishers