THE 2020 AINTREE Grand National has been cancelled after officials accepted that it would not be possible to stage the historic race behind closed doors.
The Jockey Club made the announcement this evening in light of new public health guidance issued by the UK government in the fight against the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.
The three-day Aintree Festival, of which the Grand National is the centrepiece, was due to take place from 2-4 April at the Liverpool track.
The decision signals the first time since the end of the Second World War that the race will not take place. The 1993 Grand National was run but the result was declared void following a false start, while the 1997 race was postponed by two days following a bomb threat from the Provisional IRA.
Tiger Roll, owned by Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud, was favourite for this year’s renewal where he was bidding to match Red Rum’s three wins and also become the first horse to win the race in three successive years.
“The Randox Health Grand National Festival was just three weeks away and it’s very clear to us it will not be possible for the event to take place,” Sandy Dudgeon, Senior Steward of The Jockey Club said in a statement.
“Public health must come first.
“We were working on a plan to stage the Grand National behind closed doors given its importance to the racing industry and beyond, but following the new Government measures confirmed this evening to help to tackle the coronavirus outbreak, this is not a viable option.
“I know this is hugely disappointing news for the many people who work in our sport and the many millions who were looking forward to this year’s event, but very sadly these are exceptional times and this is the responsible thing to do.”
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Public health has to come first.
Proper order…. horses are useless at social distancing
@Phil O Stine: except if I back them
Great decision and wonderful to know horses won’t die on the course, unlike the three who were killed last year.
@EillieEs: The one horse that died in the race last year was the first fatality in the National since 2012. The fatality rate across all racing is 0.19%, that approximates to 170 deaths per 92,000 runners. Horses are far more likely to be fatally injured at home in their own paddock than they ever are no meet their demise on a racecourse. It’s also worth bearing in mind that on the rare occasion that a horse sustains a severe injury on course they receive veterinary care within seconds, as opposed to the hours they would have to wait at home.
Boris Johnson approach to this is truly baffling and dangerous.its expected 250k people will die in Britain due to his tactics.his attitude is the fittest will survive!!
@nicknack: he is advising people not to go anywhere. By not instructing places and events to close, the UK will not have to pay any compensation. Do the opposite to the EU is his only policy. Fool!
@nicknack: he must think he is among the fittest!!!
What a shame we don’t get to see if Tiger Roll could emulate the great Red Rum but we can always guess I suppose…
@colm mc sweeney: true, but it will be a conversation that will last our generation I assume. Personally, I don’t think so, but would have hoped that he did all the same
@colm mc sweeney:
Red Rum didn’t win 3 Grand Nationals in a row ..he won in 1973 ,1974 and again 1977.
Red Rum came 2nd in 1975 & 1976 …
In 1975 , he was beaten beaten in a thrilling Grand National by great Tommy Carberry riding a grey horse called L’Escargot …L’Escargot won the Cheltenham Gold Cup In 1970 & 1971 .
L’Escargot is 1 of 2 horses to win both GC & GN
Still Red Rum was, is and will be the greatest Grand National Horse !
but if Tiger Roll had won this year, he would be the first 3 in a row winner !
As it is ; only one horse has won the National 3 times ..namely Red Rum (bred in Kells,Co.Kilkenny)
FYI ; 5 horses have a double GN back to back win
Tiger Roll 2018 & 2019
Red Rum 1973 & 1974
Reynoldstown 1935&1936
The Colonel 1869&1870
Abd-El-Kader 1850&1851
@XvSv: The only other horse to win both a Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup was a horse called Golden Miller .
Golden Miller won 5 consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cups from 1932 to 1936 ….
And Golden Miller also won the Grand National in 1934 .
He is the only horse to ever win the Gold Cup & National in the same year …!!!
And for or extra 6 trivia bonus points :-
Golden Miller was also bred in Ireland , in Pelletstown Co. Meath by one Lawerence Geraghty …
…the grand father of the current Leading national hunt Jockey Barry Geraghty ……:()
Common sense has finally surfaced .
IF CORONAVIRUS Fears won’t close THE BOOKMAKERS this won’t either, They should be shut down by the GOVERNMENT, it has so many people going through daily with no Social spacing that it maybe a real source of contamination plus the fact with people going out of work on Government monies the likelihood of increased gambling is a definite Red Flag.
@James Keogh: maybe the bookmakers reckon it is a safe bet no one gets contaminated on their premises.
Empty the bookies as well
At least Tiger roll can relax and not get sick. Good decision.
Old News…….
Cancelled like until 2021 ? Or postponed until a later date ?
@Shane Lad: Cancelled > Cancelled
That’ll stop the “neighsayers”!!!!
Bloody well hope so.
Redrum on the Orient Express.
The fact they even considering continuing is somewhat disgusting
Dam right