Thirty horses would go to post for the 1934 Grand National, and it would be won by a horse that many people will be aware of today, Golden Miller.
He would take the contest by five lengths, at odds of 8/1, short in the betting after previously showing just what a quality horse he was, but more about that further down.
The winning trainer was Basil Briscoe, a small trainer who only had five ever Grand National runners, and three of them were this horse trying to win it three times. This win for Golden Miller in 1934 was actually the only occasion where Briscoe’s runner completed the course. They failed to do that for him on the other four outings.
The jockey on the day was Gerald Wilson, a jockey who had a total of nine Grand National rides, with his being his only winner.
Going on the day was good to firm, so the ground was quick, and that certainly helped Golden Miller. The previous winner, Forbra, who won the race in 1932, was here again, but this time could only finish in 4th place.
Golden Miller Breaks Course Record
As mentioned, the ground was quick on the day, and that certainly helped with times of all races at the meeting, including the Grand National.
But it takes more than just quick ground to get a fast time. You do have to be a high-quality horse, and Golden Miller is undoubtedly that.
He broke the course record when winning in 1934, a record which had been in place for 72 years, previously held by The Huntsman when he won the race.
The winning time was 9:20.4, a perfect performance from a very good winner, which helped a little with the quick ground on the day.
Golden Miller Completes Cheltenham Gold Cup & Grand National Double
Breaking the course record wasn’t the only record that Golden Miller broke when winning the 1934 Grand National.
On top of that, he would also complete a double for the first time by winning both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Aintree Grand National in the same calendar year.
The Grand National win in 34 was his only one, but that’s not the same when it comes to the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Although a national winner, Golden Miller is known for his exploits in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
He would win the Gold Cup five times during his career, all in consecutive years from 1932 until 1936. He ran in the Grand National five times, with four of them being in the same year as his Gold Cup wins, but was only able to complete the double once.
Golden Miller won the Gold Cup by six lengths in 1934, and then just 17 days later, won the Grand National in a record time. Not only that, but on the day, he carried 12st 2lb to victory, a huge weight-carrying performance and, because of that, arguably the win of his career, despite taking five Gold Cups.
Results
Result | Horse | Starting Price | Age | Handicap | Prize Money | Jockey | Trainer |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Golden Miller | 8/1 | 7 | 12-2 | £4000 | Gerald Wilson | Basil Briscoe |
2 | Delaneige | 100/7 | 9 | 11-6 | - | John Moloney | George Beeby |
3 | Thomond (1) | 18/1 | 8 | 12-4 | - | Billy Speck | J Anthony |
4 | Forbra | 100/8 | 9 | 11-7 | - | Gerald Hardy | Tom Rimell |
5 | Uncle Batt | 45/1 | 8 | 10-13 | - | A Robson | W James |
6 | Blue Peter III | 66/1 | 11 | 10-7 | - | Mr F Cundell | A V Courage |
7 | Gregalach | 25/1 | 12 | 12-7 | - | Billy Parvin | P Woodland |
8 | Apostasy | 66/1 | 13 | 10-7 | - | Eric Brown | Unknown |
9 | Annandale | 66/1 | 12 | 10-9 | - | Peter Payne-Gallwey | Frederick Whitfield Barrett |
10 | Remus | 40/1 | 9 | 11-9 | - | Tommy Morgan | F Morgan |