1950 Grand National: Results, Runners & Fallers

The 1950 Grand National was a bigger occasion than normal, and a bumper crowd flocked to Aintree.

The winner of the contest was Freebooter, who took the contest as the 10/1 joint favourite. The winning trainer was Bobby Renton, while the horse was ridden by Jimmy Power, both having their first successes in the Grand National.

A massive field of 49 runners went to post for this one, and unusually for the era, all 49 would return home safely to the stables afterwards, with seven managing to complete the course.

It was a relatively comfortable success for Freebooter, who would be declared a 15-length winner when the result was confirmed.

The day’s attendance was huge, with just under 500,000 people packing Aintree racecourse to see the spectacular.

Although the race had been run in previous years after the war, this was the first time the race had been run during a moment when people were getting back on their feet and attending events such as this one.

Royals Attend Grand National for First Time Since War

The attendance was also boosted by the presence of the Royal Family, who were at Aintree for the first time since the Second World War. Not only did they attend as fans but they also had a runner, one that went to Aintree with a lively chance.

King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Elizabeth were all in attendance on course, alongside other smaller members of the Royal Family.

Their interest was with Monaveen, who was co-owned by Queen Elizabeth and Princess Elizabeth and was the co-third favourite for the race.

Leading at one point, interest rose, but a mistake at The Chair saw him almost unseat his rider Tony Grantham and lose a lot of ground. He would complete the course and finish 5^th.

Although coming five years after the war had ended, at the time, it was still an important sign to see key members of the country attending events, so having the leading figures from the Royal Family at Aintree for the Grand National was a very big deal for the racecourse.

Their appearance will no doubt have boosted the crowd on course further, some of the almost 500,000 in attendance will have chosen to be there because of the Royal Family going.

Long time lovers of the contest, it was a big moment to see them back, and with a runner.

Results

Non Finishers