1929 Grand National: Results, Runners & Fallers

The 1929 Grand National saw a huge field go to post, and since the race has been modified, it is a record that will never be beaten. Sixty-six runners would take part in this race, causing carnage at points on the course.

It was during this time that the race saw modifications start to come into play, with some made this year, both before and after this race, due to issues on the course.

We had a big-priced winner, as 100/1 outsider Gregalach would take the contest. He would go on to have a total of six runs in the Grand National, but this one, his first, would be the only win he recorded, while he would finish second a couple of years later in 1931.

Melleray’s Belle would complete the placings by finishing fourth, at odds of 200/1, which made him the highest-priced place horse in the race since 1886 when Magpie also placed at 200/1.

A combination of the going and the fact that we had too many runners on course left just 10 of the 66 runners to finish the race. Many fallers departed the contest, but much of this was down to horses falling because others were doing so around them and causing traffic problems than specific individual falls.

The winning trainer was Tom Leader, and this was the second time that he had won the Grand National, with a winner in 1927, a horse named Sprig. Although Gregalach would run a further five times in the race, none of them would be under the care of Leader.

The winning jockey was Bob Everett, who would claim his sole Grand National win here.

The winning distance was recorded as sixth lengths, with favourite Easter Hero in second place.

Aintree Begins Grand National Modifications for Race Safety

In and around the 1929 Grand National, there was a lot of talk about race safety, and of course, the Grand National has gone through many changes over the years, with a batch of them coming here.

One of the biggest talking points at the time was the handicap and how much weight the top horses were having to carry. However, after much debate, this was not changed and would actually not be changed until 1960.

The number of runners in the race was a big concern for many, especially with 66 going to post on this occasion. It was decided after this race that, to try and cut back on the number of runners, the age limit on entries would be raised from five-year-old to six-year-old for the following year.

A change implemented before the running in 1929 was the filling in of the ditch at the Canal Turn fence. This came under great pressure due to the pile up it caused a year earlier.

In 1928, after a fall at the front of the field when taking the Canal Turn, almost all of the field was wiped out, with just seven horses remaining in the race at a very early stage. Calls to make that fence much safer by filling in the ditch were loud, and Aintree acted in the interest of horse welfare.

These changes, to try to cut the field down and make the course safer, were the start of Aintree modifications over the years to make the race safer.

Results

Non Finishers