Royal Athlete: 1995 Grand National 40/1 Outsider Who Raced To Victory

The 1995 Grand National at Aintree saw an experienced but underestimated horse, Royal Athlete, take victory in one of the most famous steeplechases in the world.

Trained by Jenny Pitman, owned by Gary and Libby Johnson, and ridden by jockey Jason Titley, Royal Athlete’s win was unexpected given his age and history.

The race itself was filled with drama, including notable incidents and a favourite who failed to live up to expectations.

So how did it all play out? Let's find out…

Background

Royal Athlete was a British-bred racehorse with a solid but relatively unremarkable career before his Grand National success.

He was foaled in 1983 and had spent most of his career running in staying chases and hurdle races.

Although a talented horse, he had struggled with injury setbacks that prevented him from being a consistent performer at the highest level.

By the time he lined up for the Grand National in 1995, he was 12 years old—an age at which many horses are past their prime.

However, he had a strong pedigree for stamina, which suited him for the demands of Aintree’s challenging four-and-a-half-mile course.

1995 Grand National

The race began with 35 runners lining up at the start and race conditions were just about perfect. Among them was the heavily backed favourite, Master Oats, trained by Kim Bailey and ridden by Norman Williamson.

Master Oats had won the Cheltenham Gold Cup just a few weeks earlier and was widely expected to complete a famous double by winning the National as well.

Jason Titley, Royal Athlete's jockey kept him back under the radar in the early stages, while most eyes were watching the progress of Master Oats.

As the race unfolded, several horses fell early, including several fancied runners. Royal Athlete quickly moved into a prominent position and soon took control of the race.

His jumping was impeccable, and as other runners began to tire in the second circuit, he maintained his lead.

Despite his smooth progress on the second circuit of the Aintree course the 1995 race proved, once again, that the race is as much about speed and fluency as of power and endurance.

At the famous Becher’s Brook on the second lap, several challengers tried to close the gap, but Royal Athlete stayed strong.

By the time he reached the final straight, he had built an unassailable lead. He crossed the finish line seven lengths ahead of the second-placed horse, Party Politics (the 1992 Grand National winner).

Not The Race Favourite

On the day of the 1995 Grand National, Master Oats was the clear favourite, starting at odds of 5/1.

He had dominated the Cheltenham Gold Cup earlier that year, making him one of the most hyped Grand National contenders in years.

However, he struggled with the heavy ground at Aintree and was never a factor in the race, finishing well down the field.

In contrast, Royal Athlete was a 40/1 outsider, making his win one of the biggest shocks in recent Grand National history. Few had expected him to stay the distance so well, but his performance proved the doubters wrong.

Royal Athlete turned out to be a more unlikely winner than he looked as his jockey eased him past the finishing post.

His owner Gary Johnson said “I bought him with a leg problem, I'm not saying how much he cost, but it was peanuts'.

Jenny Pitman

Royal Athlete was trained by Jenny Pitman, a trailblazing figure in British horse racing.

She had already made history in 1983 when Corbiere became the first Grand National winner trained by a woman.

Known for her deep understanding of staying chasers, Pitman was respected for her ability to prepare horses for big races, particularly at Aintree.

The horse was owned by American couple Gary and Libby Johnson, who had long held an ambition to win the Grand National.

In the saddle for the 1995 race was Jason Titley, an Irish jockey who was not well known at the time.

He was given the ride on Royal Athlete because Pitman’s son, Mark, who had ridden the horse in the Cheltenham Gold Cup earlier that year, was unavailable due to injury. Titley seized the opportunity and delivered a perfectly judged ride.

Previous Nationals

Royal Athlete had previous experience in the Grand National – well, kind of!

He actually lined up for the 1993 National, but as we all know, that race was declared void. The horse and his jockey, Ben de Haan, went home without even running.

However, Pitman remained confident in his stamina and jumping ability. He was given a different preparation leading up to the 1995 race, which proved crucial to his success.

Famous Victory

Royal Athlete’s victory was significant for several reasons. Firstly, he won the race at the age of 12, making him one of the older horses to triumph in the Grand National.

Secondly, he gave Jenny Pitman her second victory in the race, solidifying her status as one of the best trainers of staying chasers.

Perhaps the biggest surprise was the manner of his win. Royal Athlete took the lead early in the race and controlled the pace, jumping fluently and maintaining his rhythm throughout.

Unlike many Grand National winners who come from behind in the final stages, he dominated from the front, eventually winning by seven lengths.

His victory also stood out because it was achieved in what was the last National before the fences at Aintree were modified for safety reasons.

The 1995 race still had many of the formidable obstacles that had made the National notorious for decades.

Legacy

Royal Athlete’s victory in the 1995 Grand National was a testament to experience, preparation, and a well-judged ride by Jason Titley.

Trained by the legendary Jenny Pitman, he defied expectations to claim one of the biggest races in the world.

While his career may not have had the same consistency as some other great staying chasers, his performance at Aintree remains one of the most dominant in Grand National history.

It was a win that proved that even at long odds, a well-prepared horse can triumph in the world’s most famous steeplechase.

Royal Athlete returned to the hallowed ground of Aintree for the next seven years to take part in the parade of champions. He died in May 2003 at the age of 20.