2011 Grand National

Horse race held in 2011 April 2017 April 2017 2011 Grand National Grand National Owner Mr Trevor Hemmings.svg Aintree Racecourse 9 April 2011 Ireland Ballabriggs 14/1 Ireland Jason Maguire England Donald McCain Jr. England Trevor Hemmings Good (good to soft in places) Two horses die as gruelling Grand National takes its toll at Aintree The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/apr/09/grand-national-2011-two-deaths 9 April 2011 London Greg Wood 9 April 2011 2010 2012 right 275px Full replay of the 2011 Grand National Racing TV, YouTube The 2011 Grand National (officially known as the John Smith's Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 164th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England. The showpiece steeplechase began at 4:15 pm BST on 9 April 2011, the final day of the three-day annual meeting. The maximum permitted field of forty runners competed for prize money totalling a record £950,000, making it the highest valued National Hunt race in the United Kingdom. Order of running Aintree Racecourse http://www.aintree.co.uk/pages/order-of-running/ 9 April 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110418073743/http://www.aintree.co.uk/pages/order-of-running/ 18 April 2011 dead dmy-all Nineteen of the forty participants completed the 4½-mile course; of the 21 who did not, two suffered fatal falls on the first circuit, reigniting debates over the safety of the event, ultimately leading to changes in the following year's race.Wood Greg 2012-04-15 BHA will not be rushed into more Grand National changes en-GB The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/apr/15/bha-grand-national-changes 2023-06-06 0261-3077 Irish horse Ballabriggs won the race, securing the first-place prize money of £535,135 and a first Grand National win for trainer Donald McCain, Jr., the son of four-time winning trainer Ginger McCain. Owned by Trevor Hemmings, Ballabriggs was ridden by Irish jockey Jason Maguire and was sent off at odds of 14/1. Ballabriggs powers to National win BBC Sport http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/9451559.stm 9 April 2011 Frank Keogh 9 April 2011 The pairing completed the race in 9 minutes 1.2 seconds, the second-fastest time in Grand National history. Emotions run high at Aintree, but thrilling race is marred by death of two horses The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/8440759/Grand-National-2011-emotions-run-high-at-Aintree-but-thrilling-race-is-marred-by-death-of-two-horses.html 9 April 2011 London Jonathan Liew 9 April 2011 Race card On 2 February 2011 Aintree released the names of 102 horses submitted to enter, including 34 Irish-trained and three French-trained horses. Ten were trained by Paul Nicholls, including a leading contender in Niche Market; nine were handled by Irish trainer Willie Mullins, and three by Jonjo O'Neill, the trainer of Don't Push It, the 2010 winner. Ballabriggs, another leading contender, was trained by Donald McCain, Jr., the son of Ginger McCain who trained Red Rum to three National victories in the 1970s and returned with another winner, Amberleigh House, in 2004. February list of 102 entries Aintree Racecourse http://www.aintree.co.uk/news/102-entries-for-the-2011-john-smiths-grand-national/ 2 February 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110207111129/http://www.aintree.co.uk/news/102-entries-for-the-2011-john-smiths-grand-national/ 7 February 2011 dead 20 contenders were withdrawn in the first scratchings. After a second scratchings deadline on 24 March 74 horses remained on the list of entrants, with the top weight handicap of 11 st 10 lb allocated to last year's winner Don't Push It. The official odds on 24 March placed Mullins-trained The Midnight Club at 10/1 favourite. Backstage and Oscar Time were given joint-second favourite odds of 12/1. 74 still on target for Grand National Aintree Racecourse http://www.aintree.co.uk/news/74-still-on-target-for-grand-national/ 24 March 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110519215122/http://www.aintree.co.uk/news/74-still-on-target-for-grand-national/ 19 May 2011 dead At the five-day deadline on 4 April, nine further withdrawals since the second scratchings left a total of 65 contenders still in the running to compete. Nina Carberry, the sister of 1999 winner Paul Carberry, became the first female jockey to take a third ride in the Grand National. Four amateur jockeys lined up to compete. Official odds on favourite The Midnight Club were cut to 8/1, while What A Friend replaced Oscar Time as a joint-second favourite with Backstage on odds of 11/1. 65 aiming for Grand National glory Aintree Racecourse http://www.aintree.co.uk/news/65_aiming_for_john_smiths_grand_national_glory/ 4 April 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110407100711/http://www.aintree.co.uk/news/65_aiming_for_john_smiths_grand_national_glory/ 7 April 2011 dead On 7 April, Aintree declared the final confirmed list of 40 runners and four reserves as follows. The reserves would replace any withdrawals prior to 9 am on 8 April. Field declared for 2011 Aintree race BBC Sport http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/9445742.stm#entries 7 April 2011 7 April 2011 None of the reserves, however, were required. NumberHorseAgeWeight (st-lb)SPJockeyTrainerOwner1Don't Push It (IRE)1111–109 1Tony McCoyJonjo O'NeillJ. P. McManus2Tidal Bay (IRE)1011-0928 1Brian HughesHoward JohnsonMr. & Mrs. Graham Wylie3What A Friend811-0612 1Daryl JacobPaul NichollsGed Mason & Sir Alex Ferguson4Vic Venturi (IRE)1111-0650 1Andrew LynchDessie Hughes (IRE)Seamus Dunne5Majestic Concorde (IRE)811-0520 1Mr. Robbie McNamaraDermot Weld (IRE)Dr. Ronan Lambe6Or Noir de Somoza (FRA)911-0550 1Barry Geraghty*David PipeFilsal Stadeg Racing7Dooneys Gate (IRE)1011-0450 1Mr. Patrick MullinsWillie Mullins (IRE)Mrs. Jackie Mullins8Big Fella Thanks911-0112 1Graham LeeFerdy MurphyCrossed Fingers Partnership9The Tother One (IRE)1011-0050 1Mr. Ryan MahonPaul NichollsGraham Roach10Ballabriggs (IRE)1011-0014 1Jason MaguireDonald McCain, Jr.Trevor Hemmings11The Midnight Club (IRE)1010–1315 2 FRuby WalshWillie Mullins (IRE)Mrs. Susannah Ricci12Niche Market (IRE)1010–1316 1Harry SkeltonPaul NichollsGraham Regan13Silver by Nature (grey)910–129 1Peter BuchananMs. Lucinda RussellGeoff Brown14Backstage (FRA)910–1216 1Paul CarberryGordon Elliott (IRE)MPR & Capranny Syndicate15Chief Dan George (IRE)1110–1240 1Paddy AspellJimmy MoffattMaurice Chapman16Calgary Bay (IRE)810–1033 1Hadden FrostMs. Henrietta KnightMrs. Camilla Radford17Killyglen (IRE)910–1066 1Robbie PowerStuart Crawford (IRE)David McCammon18Oscar Time (IRE)1010-0914 1Mr. Sam Waley-CohenMartin Lynch (IRE)Robert Waley-Cohen & S. & M. Broughton19Quinz (FRA)710-0814 1Richard JohnsonPhilip HobbsAndrew Cohen20Becauseicouldntsee (IRE)810-0816 1Davy RussellNoel Glynn (IRE)Noel Glynn21Comply or Die (IRE)1210-0825 1Timmy MurphyDavid PipeDavid Johnson22Quolibet (FRA)710-08100 1Mark WalshJonjo O'NeillJ. P. McManus23Grand Slam Hero (IRE)1010-0766 1Aidan ColemanNigel Twiston-DaviesWalters Plant Hire Ltd.24State of Play1110-0628 1Paul MoloneyEvan WilliamsMr. & Mrs. William Rucker25King Fontaine (IRE)810-0680 1Denis O'ReganMalcolm JeffersonTrevor Hemmings26In Compliance (IRE)1110-0566 1Leighton AspellDessie Hughes (IRE)Westerly Breeze Syndicate27Hello Bud (IRE)1310-0520 1Sam Twiston-DaviesNigel Twiston-DaviesSeamus Murphy28West End Rocker (IRE)910-0533 1Robert ThorntonAlan KingBarry Winfield & Tim Leadbeater29Santa's Son (IRE)1110-05100 1Jamie MooreHoward JohnsonDouglas Pryde & Jim Beaumont30Bluesea Cracker (mare) (IRE)910-0425 1Andrew McNamaraJames Motherway (IRE)J. P. McManus31That's Rhythm (FRA)1110-0450 1James ReveleyMartin TodhunterDon't Tell Henry32Surface to Air1010-04100 1Tom MessengerChris BealbyTim Urry33Piraya (FRA)810-04100 1Johnny FarrellyDavid PipeTerry Neill34Can't Buy Time (IRE)910-0433 1Richie McLernonJonjo O'NeillJ. P. McManus35Character Building (IRE)1110-0425 1Ms. Nina CarberryJohn QuinnPatricia Thompson36Ornais (FRA)910-04100 1Nick ScholfieldPaul NichollsThe Stewart family37Arbor Supreme (IRE)910-0320 1David CaseyWillie Mullins (IRE)J. P. McManus38Royal Rosa (FRA)1210-03100 1Paul GallagherHoward JohnsonMr. & Mrs. Graham Wylie39Skippers Brig (IRE)1010-0233 1Dominic ElsworthNicky RichardsAshelybank Investments Ltd.40Golden Kite (IRE)910-0266 1Shane HassettAdrian Maguire (IRE)Dr. Anthony CalnanR1Always Waining (IRE)1010-02Peter BowenMr. & Mrs. Peter DouglasR2Faasel (IRE)1010-01David PipeJim EnnisR3Le Beau Bai (FRA)810-01Richard LeeGlass Half Full SyndicateR4Giles Cross (IRE)910-00Victor DartnallKCMS Partnership *Barry Geraghty rode Or Noir de Somoza after his original jockey, Tom Scudamore, withdrew due to an injury sustained in a race the day prior to the National. Finishing order 75 Placed horses vertical center Owner_Mr_Trevor_Hemmings.svg 1: Ballabriggs Owner_R_Waley-cohen_and_sir_Martin_and_S_Broughton.svg 2: Oscar Time Owner Mr John P McManus.svg 3: Don't Push It Owner_Mr_and_Mrs_William_Rucker.svg 4: State Of Play Ten-year-old Ballabriggs led for much of the race, and the gelding eventually saw off a strong run-in challenge from amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen on Oscar Time who secured second place. Third was 2010 winner Tony McCoy on Don't Push It, twelve lengths behind the second. 15/2 favourite The Midnight Club made a mistake at the third fence and finished sixth. State of Play, the eleven-year-old 28/1 shot trained by Welshman Evan Williams, finished in the top four for the third successive National. Evan Williams praise for State of Play BBC Sport http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/horse_racing/13026660.stm 9 April 2011 9 April 2011 Nineteen runners completed the course, including three of the six 100/1 shots. This was the highest number of finishers since 2005 when twenty-one horses passed the finishing post. PositionHorseJockeySPDistancePrize money1BallabriggsJason Maguire14 1Won by 2¼ lengths£535,1352Oscar TimeMr. Sam Waley-Cohen14 112 lengths£201,5903Don't Push ItTony McCoy9 12 lengths£100,8904State of PlayPaul Moloney28 17 lengths£50,4455Niche MarketHarry Skelton16 14 lengths£25,2706The Midnight ClubRuby Walsh15 2 F13 lengths£12,6357Big Fella ThanksGraham Lee12 1A head£6,2708Surface to AirTom Messenger100 119 lengths£3,2309Skippers BrigDominic Elsworth33 18 lengths10BackstagePaul Carberry16 1½ length11King FontaineDenis O'Regan80 125 lengths12Silver by NaturePeter Buchanan9 15 lengths13In ComplianceLeighton Aspell66 18 lengths14Bluesea CrackerAndrew McNamara25 116 lengths15Character BuildingMs. Nina Carberry25 112 lengths16Golden KiteShane Hassett66 1A distance17Chief Dan GeorgePaddy Aspell40 120 lengths18Royal RosaPaul Gallagher100 1A distance19PirayaJohnny Farrelly100 1Last to complete Finishing order & jockey comments BBC Sport http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/9452474.stm 9 April 2011 9 April 2011 Aintree's full Grand National brochure publication Aintree Racecourse http://www.aintree.co.uk/docLib/2009_pages010109.pdf 9 April 2011 17 June 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110617082330/http://www.aintree.co.uk/docLib/2009_pages010109.pdf dead Non-finishers thumb|right|Overview of the 4½-mile National Course at Aintree with thirty fences. Ten horses fell during the race, four unseated their riders, two were brought down by other fallers and five were pulled up. The 100/1 outsider Santa's Son had led the field over the Canal Turn, but the short-distance runner eventually fell out of contention and jockey Jamie Moore pulled him up before the 27th fence. Killyglen fell at the 27th, having been close to leader Ballabriggs at the beginning of the second circuit. The race as it happened BBC Sport http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/9450439.stm 9 April 2011 Oliver Brett 9 April 2011 Ornais and Dooneys Gate both suffered fatal falls on the first circuit. Ornais incurred a cervical fracture at the fourth fence (a plain 4 ft 10-inch obstacle) and Dooneys Gate fractured his thoracolumbar at fence six (the 5 ft Becher's Brook). Aintree had made significant modifications to its National Course in recent years, including improving veterinary facilities and reducing the severity of some fences, but another notable change was highlighted in this race – that the course has been widened to allow more fences to be bypassed if necessary. As the remaining contenders on the second circuit approached the 20th fence, arrowed signposts and marshals waving chequered flags signalled them to bypass on the outside as Ornais' body was covered by a tarpaulin on the landing side. Two jumps later and they were again diverted, this time around the famous Becher's Brook, where veterinary staff attended to Dooneys Gate. This was the first time since the modern course was finalised in the 1880s that only 28 fences were jumped. FenceHorseJockeySPFate1That's RhythmJames Reveley50 1Fell2BecauseicouldntseeDavy Russell16 1Fell2Vic VenturiAndrew Lynch50 1Brought down4Calgary BayHadden Frost33 1Fell4OrnaisNick Scholfield100 1Fell6 (Becher's Brook)Or Noir de SomozaBarry Geraghty50 1Fell6 (Becher's Brook)Dooneys GateMr. Patrick Mullins50 1Fell6 (Becher's Brook)The Tother OneMr. Ryan Mahon50 1Fell6 (Becher's Brook)West End RockerRobert Thornton33 1Brought down10Tidal BayBrian Hughes28 1Unseated rider11QuoilbetMark Walsh100 1Unseated rider13Grand Slam HeroAidan Coleman66 1Fell15 (The Chair)QuinzRichard Johnson14 1Pulled up18Can't Buy TimeRichie McLernon33 1Fell24 (Canal Turn)Majestic ConcordeMr. Robbie McNamara20 1Unseated rider27What A FriendDaryl Jacob12 1Pulled up27Santa's SonJamie Moore100 1Pulled up27KillyglenRobert Power66 1Fell28Comply or DieTimmy Murphy25 1Pulled up28Arbor SupremeDavid Casey20 1Fell29Hello BudSam Twiston-Davies20 1Pulled up Broadcasting The Grand National has the status of being an event of significant national interest within the United Kingdom and thus is listed on the Ofcom Code on Sports and Other Listed and Designated Events. The race therefore must be covered live on free-to-air terrestrial television in the UK. The BBC aired the race on radio for the 80th consecutive year and on television for the 52nd year. As they race towards the elbow, Ballabriggs is being tackled now by Oscar Time... but Jason Maguire is getting another tune out of Ballabriggs! Ballabriggs with a hundred yards left to go, he's three lengths in front, he's going to outstay them I reckon. He's drifting towards the outside, but he's done enough to win. Ballabriggs and Donald McCain, it's the McCain family back with another National. Ballabriggs, Jason Maguire the winner! BBC commentator Jim McGrath describes the climax of the race Watch the closing stages of the 2011 Grand National (UK only) BBC Sport http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/horse_racing/13025564.stm 9 April 2011 9 April 2011 35% 1 right Clare Balding presented the BBC's television coverage, supported by Rishi Persad and retired jockey Richard Pitman, which was broadcast on BBC One and, for the second year, BBC HD. Former National-winning jockeys Richard Dunwoody and Mick Fitzgerald provided expert analysis, while betting news was provided by Gary Wiltshire and John Parrott. Suzi Perry was due to be providing soundbites from spectators but did not take part in the programme. Her place was taken by last-minute replacement Dan Walker who had been at Aintree to present Football Focus, aired prior to the National. The race commentary team was led by Jim McGrath, who called the winner home for the 14th consecutive year; he was supported by Ian Bartlett and Darren Owen. BBC racing coverage BBC Sport http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/4552838.stm 9 April 2011 9 April 2011 As well as being streamed to UK viewers on BBC Online, BBC Radio 5 Live also aired the race, presented by Mark Chapman. The BBC later received some criticism for failing to mention the deaths of Ornais and Dooneys Gate until the end of its broadcast. Aftermath The unusually warm and sunny weather conditions were credited with helping the 2011 meeting set a Grand National attendance record. A crowd of 70,291 people attended the main Saturday race day, and a total of 153,583 attended over the course of the three-day meeting, beating the previous record of 151,660 set in 2005. Aintree 2011 set new records for Liverpool course Click Liverpool http://www.clickliverpool.com/sport/other-sport/1213039-aintree-2011-set-new-records-for-liverpool-course.html 14 April 2011 https://archive.today/20120730183340/http://www.clickliverpool.com/sport/other-sport/1213039-aintree-2011-set-new-records-for-liverpool-course.html 30 July 2012 dead dmy-all The Grand National is always a major event for bookmakers, particularly in the United Kingdom. An estimated £300 million in bets were said to have been placed on the 2011 race, Why the Grand National sees Welsh women bet as much as men Wales Online https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/04/09/why-the-grand-national-sees-welsh-women-bet-as-much-as-men-91466-28488657/ 9 April 2011 including some from as far afield as Australia, Bermuda and Kazakhstan, with British troops in Afghanistan also joining in. It is estimated that nearly half of the adult population of the UK bets on the Grand National. Grand National punters stake £300m Daily Finance http://www.dailyfinance.co.uk/2011/04/08/grand-national-punters-stake-300m/ 8 April 2011 24 July 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110724143202/http://www.dailyfinance.co.uk/2011/04/08/grand-national-punters-stake-300m/ dead thumb|right|Ballabriggs, pictured two weeks after his Grand National win. The race received a significant amount of negative media coverage over the two equine fatalities, which were more publicly noticeable than in prior Nationals due to two fences being bypassed for the first time. Those watching the race on television were given clear views of the tarpaulin-covered body of Ornais at the fourth fence, and an aerial shot at Becher's showed veterinary staff attending to the fatally injured Dooneys Gate, while the remaining runners diverted around them. Horse racing industry must respond to anti-Grand National agenda The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/8457360/Horse-racing-industry-must-respond-to-anti-Grand-National-agenda.html 17 April 2011 London Charlie Brooks 17 April 2011 Jockey Tony McCoy defends Grand National at Aintree BBC Sport http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/horse_racing/13079492.stm 14 April 2011 14 April 2011 Andrew Taylor, director of the animal rights group Animal Aid, called for an outright ban of the Grand National, saying: "It's a deliberately hazardous, challenging and predictably lethal event." Calls grow to ban Grand National MSN http://news.uk.msn.com/uk/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=156960331 10 April 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110413080811/http://news.uk.msn.com/uk/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=156960331 13 April 2011 dead The RSPCA's equine consultant David Muir stated: "I was gutted that two horses died... What I will do now is go back and have a look at each element, with the BHA and the racecourse management, to see if the jump contributed to what happened, look at the take-off and landing side and so on, and see if the evidence suggests something can be done about it. I'm trying to make the race better, safer where I can, but the one thing I can never do is eliminate risk: that's always going to be there." Muir did however add: "There's no way I'm going to get the National banned." Grand National deaths prompt RSPCA involvement in Aintree review Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/apr/12/grand-national-aintreee-rspca-deaths 12 April 2011 London Chris Cook 12 April 2011 Aintree's managing director Julian Thick said: "We are desperately sad at the accidents during the running of the Grand National today and our thoughts go out to the connections of Ornais and Dooneys Gate... Only the best horses and the best jockeys are allowed to enter and all horses are inspected by the vet when they arrive at Aintree to ensure that they are fit to race. This year we had 20 horse-catchers, at least two attendants at each of the 16 fences, four stewards to inspect the course, two BHA course inspectors, ten vets, 50 ground staff and 35 ground repair staff... We work closely with animal welfare organisations, such as the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare, to make sure we are up to date with the latest thinking and research... and to make sure that the horses are looked after properly and that the race is run as safely as possible." Grand National result and round up Aintree Racecourse http://www.aintree.co.uk/news/grand-national-result-and-round-up/ 10 April 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110411225431/http://www.aintree.co.uk/news/grand-national-result-and-round-up/ 11 April 2011 dead Veteran trainer Ginger McCain queried the suggestion of reducing the size of the fences in the aftermath of the race. McCain said: "You don't make things better by making it easier. Its speed that does the damage." Ginger McCain queries smaller fences BBC Sport http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/9453497.stm 10 April 2011 10 April 2011 Champion jockey Tony McCoy also defended the National, saying, "I personally don't think the sport could be in any better shape for horses or jockeys." Ornais's owner, Andy Stewart, later said: "We're still grieving but I think this whole hyped up situation regarding the Grand National is totally wrong... National Hunt racing is safer and compliant with every single sport that goes along. My son snowboarded in France and, unfortunately, he had an accident and he'll never walk again. Why don't we just get on with it and enjoy the sport?" Stewart leaps to National defence Press Association https://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5iMfdkmAg9GkjD94FYIXmiD4TSVwQ?docId=N0508021302451841757A https://web.archive.org/web/20110413074004/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5iMfdkmAg9GkjD94FYIXmiD4TSVwQ?docId=N0508021302451841757A dead 13 April 2011 10 April 2011 Winning jockey Jason Maguire was subsequently handed a five-day ban by the stewards for excessive use of the whip on Ballabriggs in the closing stages and the horse required oxygen after crossing the line. Jason Maguire and Ballabriggs battle way to glory at Aintree The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/8440199/Grand-National-2011-Jason-Maguire-and-Ballabriggs-battle-way-to-glory-at-Aintree.html 9 April 2011 London Marcus Armytage 9 April 20112011-06-13 Use of whip reviewed by horse racing authorities https://www.bbc.com/sport/horse-racing/13751127 2025-04-21 BBC Sport en-GB See also Horseracing in Great Britain List of British National Hunt races 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup References 30em 2011 Grand National Grand National Grand Category:April 2011 sports events in the United Kingdom