The 1959 Grand National was run on good ground, with Oxo running out the winner, trained by Willie Stephenson and ridden by jockey Michael Scudamore.
34 runners went to post, but the race took its toll, and just four of them were able to finish the contest.
This was a race where previous runners would go well again but were unable to win. Mr What won the 1958 Grand National and came back here to finish third this time around. Second placed Wyndburgh was fourth a year earlier, and fourth placed Tiberetta was second a year earlier.
Oxo was the 8/1 second favourite for the race, behind Mr What in the market, who was favourite in his bid to win back-to-back races. For both trainer Stephenson and jockey Scudamore, this was their first win in the Grand National, and it would be the only one in their respective careers.
1959 Grand National Causes Parliamentary Debate
The Grand National is a race that has always had to deal with controversy, and much of that has always been around the safety and well-being of those taking part, both the riders and the horses.
However, the race in 1959 would bring a little more discussion than most, which led to debate for a few months after the race, including in parliament, where the safety of the race was brought to the House of Commons.
The debate was forced through by the League Against Cruel Sports, who raised safety concerns which led the Home Secretary at the time, Rab Butler, to meet with the National Hunt Committee.
This time, the talk would drag on. The race took place towards the end of March, but in June, the safety concerns were still being talked about. A claim was released that 24 horses were injured during the race, which had to be rebuked by Mirabel Topham, owner of Aintree Racecourse.
She confirmed that three stable lads were in charge of checking every horse post-race, and their report showed that three horses had suffered injuries. Fourteen horses fell or were brought down in the race, with one fatality on track and one horse euthanised a week after the race following injuries.
Results
| Result | Horse | Starting Price | Age | Handicap | Prize Money | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oxo | 8/10 | 8 | 10-13 | £13646 | Michael Scudamore | W Stephenson |
| 2 | Wyndburgh | 10/1 | 9 | 10-12 | £1648 | Tim Brookshaw | James Kenneth Murray Oliver |
| 3 | Mr What | 6/1 | 9 | 11-9 | £824 | Toss Taaffe | Tom J Taaffe Snr |
| 4 | Tiberetta | 20/1 | 11 | 10-9 | £412 | Alan Oughton | E R Courage |