
While those at the time were not aware, the Grand National of 1863 would be the first of a remarkable double for connections, as the winning trainer, jockey and owner would have success here and follow it up a year later.
To add further to this unique success, the two horses that won the race for them were full brother and sister to each other, bringing together a real connection between the two years.
Winning the 1863 Grand National was Emblem, and not only did he win the race, but he did so in very easy style, recording a winning distance of 20 lengths.
On that day, just six of the field completed the course. The ground was on the quick side, officially given as good to firm, good in places.
Emblem was well-fancied for this success despite this being his first run in the race. He was sent off at just 4/1 to win, which made him the second favourite for the race. Jealousy, who won the 1861 renewal and was back for more here, was sent off at the 3/1 favourite, but could only finish 6th.
Edwin Weever was the winning trainer of Emblem, and he would be winning this race with his first-ever runner. A year later, he made it two runners and two winners in successive years, but these would end up being the only time he would win the race, from a total of nine runners.
The winning rider was George Stevens, a man who was beginning to really make a name for himself in the industry and would actually go on to be considered one of the all-time Grand National jockeys.
He first won the Grand National in 1856 on Freetrader, this here with Emblem would be his second win. A year later, he won with Emblematic, and then he would win back-to-back Grand National races again, in 1869 and 1870, both coming on board The Colonel.
This is his second win in a total of five from 15 rides, a remarkable record and one of the very best we will ever see in any race, let alone one as strong as the Grand National.
After winning here, Emblem would miss the 1864 renewal, so he didn’t have the chance to defend his crown. However, he would return to the race one more time in 1865, still trained by Weever, but on this occasion, he would be pulled up.
Results
Result | Horse | Starting Price | Age | Handicap | Prize Money | Jockey | Trainer |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Emblem | 4/1 | 7 | 10-10 | £855 | George Stevens | Edwin Weever |
2 | Arbury | 25/1 | 5 | 11-2 | - | Alec Goodman | Unknown |
3 | Yaller Gal | 20/1 | 8 | 10-13 | - | G Dixon | Chris Green |
4 | Fosco | 40/1 | 7 | 9-11 | - | George Holman | William Holman Snr |
5 | Avalanche | 33/1 | 6 | 10-9 | - | G Palmer | H Lister |
6 | Jealousy | 3/1 | 9 | 11-10 | - | Joseph Kendall | C Bennett |
Non Finishers
Horse | Fence | Reason | Starting Price | Age | Handicap | Jockey | Trainer |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Real Jam | Canal Side 2ND CIR | Pulled Up | 20/1 | 4 | 9-11 | David Hughes | David Hughes |
Birdbolt | Canal Turn 2ND CIR | Pulled Up | Unknown | 7 | 9-11 | T Spence | Unknown |
Telegraph | 3RD FNC 2ND CIR | Fell | Unknown | 7 | 9-11 | George Waddington | Unknown |
The Dane | LATE 2ND CIR | Pulled Up | 10/1 | 7 | 11-6 | Walter White | T Wadlow |
Light Of Other Days | LATE 2ND CIR | Pulled Up | 20/1 | 8 | 10-4 | J Nightingall | T Golby |
The Orphan | Gorsed Hurdle | Fell | Unknown | 8 | 9-11 | William Bevill | Unknown |
Inkerman | 2 | Fell | Unknown | 9 | 9-11 | P Smith | Tom Olliver |
Medora | Valentines Brook 2ND CIR | Pulled Up | 100/12 | 12 | 12-00 | F Rowlands | Tom Olliver |
The Freshman | LATE 2ND CIR | Pulled Up | Unknown | 10 | 11-13 | George Ede | T Golby |
Master Bagot | Valentines Brook 2ND CIR | Pulled Up | 100/8 | 9 | 10-4 | J Knott | W Saunders |