A familiar face would win the 1851 Grand National, with Abd-El-Kader taking the race for the second consecutive year. Following his win in 1850, he was back for more to defend his title and did so by bagging another win.
He would take the race, but only just, winning by half a neck. There are many conflicting reports about the race, but most seem to agree that 10 of the 21 runners completed the course, with the race being run on good ground.
Abd-El-Kader was returned with an SP of 7/1 on the day, well backed before the race and to the head of the market, though not sent off as the favourite.
A year earlier, the horse would win the contest by a length. Depending on who you ask, you will get a different answer to this, but if the first two unofficial runnings are not counted, then Abd-El-Kader goes down as being the first-ever dual winner and first-ever back-to-back winner of the race.
Officially, according to record books, races from 1836-1838 are not counted in records, so that does mean Abd-El-Kader did become the first dual and back to back winner. However, some people do add the early races into the records so that they may dispute this.
The horse would go on to run two further times in the race, but they would come without success. In 1852, he was pulled up during the race, and then on his last run in 1853, he would finish in 5th position.
Trainer Joseph Osbourne was the winning trainer, and he would train Abd-El-Kader for the two wins he had and not train him any other years he ran in the race. Osbourne would never train another horse for the Grand National, which left him with a perfect record of two runners and two winners in the race, something not many people have.
Terry Abbot was the winning rider, this would be his one and only Grand National success from a total of eight rides. He would also ride Abd-El-Kader when he finished 5th in the race in 1853 but did not take the ride on this horse any other years, including when he won in 1850.
Results
| Result | Horse | Starting Price | Age | Handicap | Prize Money | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abd-El-Kader | 7/1 | 9 | 10-4 | £750 | Terry Abbot | Joseph Osborne |
| 2 | Maria Day | 100/6 | 8 | 10-5 | - | John Frisby | Unknown |
| 3 | Sir John (1) | 7/1 | 13 | 11-12 | - | John Ryan | Robert I’Anson Snr |
| 4 | Half-And-Half | 20/1 | 8 | 10-8 | - | R Sly Jnr | Unknown |
| 5 | Vain Hope | 8/1 | 6 | 11-8 | - | Sam Darling Jnr | Unknown |
| 6 | Rat-Trap | 6/1 | 8 | 10-10 | - | Jem Mason | Unknown |
| 7 | Mulligan | 25/1 | 7 | 10-2 | - | William Archer | Unknown |
| 8 | Shinrone | Unknown | 7 | 10-7 | - | T Gaman | John Osborne |
| 9 | Reindeer | Unknown | Unknown | 9-8 | - | C Planner | Unknown |
| 10 | Tipperary Boy (1) | 10/1 | 7 | 10-3 | - | Tom Olliver | Unknown |
Non Finishers
| Horse | Fence | Reason | Starting Price | Age | Handicap | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fugitive | Canal Turn 2ND CIR | Fell | 15/1 | Unknown | 10-12 | H Bradley | Unknown |
| Greysteel | Canal Side 2ND CIR | Fell | Unknown | Unknown | 9-10 | J Thrift | Unknown |
| The Victim | LAST FNC | Fell | Unknown | Unknown | 10-13 | William Taylor | Unknown |
| Carrig | Canal Side 2ND CIR | Pulled Up | 25/1 | 6 | 9-12 | J Debeau | T Harrison |
| Maurice Daley | Canal Side 2ND CIR | Pulled Up | Unknown | 6 | 9-6 | Charles Boyce | Unknown |
| Volatile | Water Jump | Fell | Unknown | 6 | 9-10 | W Fowler | Unknown |
| Penrith | Canal Side 2ND CIR | Fell | Unknown | 7 | 9-4 | W McClory | Unknown |
| Hope | Canal Side 2ND CIR | Pulled Up | Unknown | 6 | 9-12 | Chris Green | Unknown |
| Sir Peter Laurie | Canal Side 2ND CIR | Pulled Up | 25/1 | 9 | 11-7 | William Scott | Unknown |
| Fugleman | MID 2ND CIR | Pulled Up | Unknown | 6 | 10-00 | Denny Wynne | Denny Wynne |
| Peter Simple (2) | BEFORE Bechers Brook 2ND CIR | Pulled Up | Unknown | 13 | 11-7 | D Tubb | Tommy Cunningham |