L'Escargot, an Irish racehorse, made horse racing history by winning the 1975 Grand National, and while that is a remarkable achievement, it is also one most remembered for denying Red Rum, a legendary figure in the sport, a third consecutive win in the race, something that had never been achieved before.
In fact, it has never been done. The closest since then, and the only horse since Red Rum to win two in a row, has been Tiger Roll whose wins in 2018 and 2019 made him a national treasure.
For those who follow horse racing closely, and particularly for those enticed by horse betting sign up bonuses, the Grand National is more than just a race – it’s a historic event where legends are made or broken.
Sadly, Tiger Roll’s chances at the treble were cut short when the race was cancelled in 2020, and he was withdrawn in 2021.
So, while Tiger Roll’s chances were stopped due to circumstances beyond everybody’s control, in the case of Red Rum, it was L’Escargot who ended his historic bid.
But just what is the story behind the rather inaccurately named horse (translation is ‘the snail’), and how did he defeat the greatest horse Aintree has ever seen?
Early Life and Career
L'Escargot was foaled in 1963, bred by Mrs. B. O’Neill. His sire, Escart, was a successful racehorse in his own right, though not of the highest order, and his dam, What A Daisy, was relatively unremarkable.
Despite this modest lineage, L'Escargot showed promise early on, particularly in National Hunt racing.
As a three-year-old, he was bought in the sales by the American ambassador to Ireland, Raymond Guest, and sent to be trained by Dan Moore, an accomplished Irish trainer.
He debuted at the Cheltenham Festival in 1968 and, ridden by Tommy Carberry, won what was then the Gloucestershire Hurdles, now known as the Supreme Novices Hurdle.
With a few more hurdles under his belt, the following season, he went to the US, where he ran another three times, winning at Belmont Park.
Cheltenham & Aintree Success
Before his Grand National triumph, L'Escargot was already a well-known name in the National Hunt circuit, particularly for his performances at the Cheltenham Festival.
He won the prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup twice, in 1970 and 1971, and also ran in 1972 and 1973, finishing fourth both times. He also fell at the third in the 1972 Grand National.
As rivalries go, Red Rum and L’Escargot went head-to-head in 1973, and connections had to be content with a third-place finish after being outrun by Red Rum.
Returning in 1974, the duo once again battled, and again, L’Escargot found himself on the losing side, finishing in second place.
The 1975 Grand National
Down but not out, by the time of the 1975 Grand National, L'Escargot was 12 years old, an age at which many racehorses are considered past their prime.
However, he was still highly regarded, and his previous performances at Aintree suggested that he could be a strong contender.
He was ridden by jockey Tommy Carberry, who had partnered with him in his earlier Grand National efforts and knew the horse well.
Red Rum was the favourite, as he was attempting to make history by becoming the first horse to win three consecutive Grand Nationals. The weight he carried, 12 stone, was the maximum allowed in the race, which was a considerable burden.
As the race unfolded, the conditions were challenging. The ground was described as soft, which made the race even more difficult. L'Escargot, carrying 11 stone and 3 pounds, handled the conditions better than most.
Carberry rode a patient race, keeping L'Escargot in a good position without pushing him too hard in the early stages.
As expected, Red Rum was in the thick of the action throughout the race, but as they approached the final stages, it became clear that L'Escargot was moving strongly.
In the closing stages, L'Escargot began to pull away from the field, and despite a brave effort from Red Rum, L'Escargot won by an impressive 15 lengths.
Red Rum finished second, unable to complete his historic treble.
Aftermath and Legacy
L'Escargot's victory in the 1975 Grand National was a significant moment in the history of the race. It was the culmination of years of consistent performances at the highest level, and it demonstrated the horse's toughness and quality.
While Red Rum would go on to win the Grand National again in 1977, becoming the first horse to win the race three times, L'Escargot's 1975 victory ensured that his name would also be remembered.
For jockey Tommy Carberry, the win was a career-defining moment. He later became a successful trainer, training the 1999 winner BobbyJo, and is father to legendary jockeys Nina and Paul Carberry.
L'Escargot was supposed to be retired after the 1975 Grand National win. However, when the trainer raced him one more time, owner Richard Guest was so annoyed that he retrieved the horse and took him back to the United States.
He lived out the rest of his days in the US before passing away in 1984. His legacy lives on, particularly among those who appreciate the history of the Grand National.
Conclusion
L'Escargot may not have the same widespread recognition as Red Rum, but his achievements, particularly his 1975 Grand National win, make him one of the greats of National Hunt racing.
His story is one of persistence and quality, showing that even when a horse seems to be past its peak, it can still achieve greatness.
The 1975 Grand National remains one of the most memorable in the race's long history, thanks in no small part to L'Escargot's remarkable performance.
