1839 Grand National: Results, Runners & Fallers

If you look at the official record books, then 1839 was the year that everything started for the Grand National. Although, at the time, this was described as the fourth edition of the race, later in time, the first three would be declared unofficial, making this the very first official Grand National.

The race was moved to Aintree racecourse this year, with new management on board and the building of a railway in Liverpool made travel to the course easier than ever before. Previous races had been run at Maghull racecourse and were described at the time as being very poorly organised by those in charge.

At the time, known as the Grand Liverpool Steeplechase, the race would eventually be renamed as the Grand National in 1847. In the early years, the race was a non-handicap, with every runner being allotted 12 stone to run with, which certainly made it a little tougher for the race to gain traction and attention.

The winner of the race this year, and first ever official Grand National winner, was Lottery, who would take the contest by a winning distance of three lengths. Always in control according to reports, he would win easier than the three-length margin suggested, eased home to take the race.

He would return with an SP of 9/1, and this would be the first time he had run in the race. He would return to run in the Grand National in each of the next four years, though he did not have any more success. When trying to defend his title in 1840, he fell in the race.

A total of 17 runners would run in the Grand National, with 10 of those being able to get round in one piece and complete the course.

The winning trainer was George Dockeray a man who did not have any runners in the unofficial Grand Nationals before this but one that would hit the ground running and really dominate things early.

This would be his first runner in the race. It would deliver his first winner, and there would be more to come after. Twelve months later, Dockeray would win the race again, this time with Jerry, while he would have the 1842 winner with Gaylad and then the 1852 winner with Miss Mowbray.

In total, this was the first of four wins for Dockeray, coming from 11 runners in a 15-year period. He was one of the big supporters of the race during its early years, and one of the main drivers behind the success it had.

The winning rider was Jem Mason, who would be winning the Grand National here with his first ride in the race. He would stick with Lottery throughout his Grand National career, riding this horse on the other four attempts at the race he had, though failing to back up this win.

A further three rides would come without success, leaving Mason with one Grand National winner from a total of eight rides, five of those being on board Lottery.

Results

Non Finishers