Earth Summit etched his name into the history books with a remarkable victory in the 1998 Grand National at Aintree.
His performance in one of the world's most challenging and prestigious steeplechases left a lasting impression on horse racing fans.
Known for his stamina, jumping ability, and determination, Earth Summit's triumph is a story of grit and resilience.
Early Life
Earth Summit was foaled in 1988, sired by Celtic Cone, a respected stayer who excelled on soft ground, out of Win Green Hill.
While the gelding didn’t initially show the brilliance of some of his more celebrated peers, he developed into a tough competitor, especially in long-distance chases, where his stamina became his greatest weapon.
Like all horses, he started as novice hurdler before becoming a novice chaser which suited him better, notching up wins at Haydock, Chepstow and Cheltenham.
By the end of the 1993/94 season which, by any stretch of the imagination, was a long one with eleven runs, he then won the Scottish Grand National, proving his potential as a long-distance chaser. But his path to glory wasn’t without setbacks.
Aintree on the Horizon
In 1996, Earth Summit suffered a serious injury at Haydock that nearly ended his career. Many feared that his racing days were over, but the horse displayed the resilience that would later define him.
After a 21-month rehabilitation period, Earth Summit made a remarkable comeback. He returned on November 19th 1997 with a middling performance at Haydock before stretching his legs again at Chepstow a couple of weeks later.
Clearly happy with his progress, he then went for the 1997 Welsh Grand National which he duly won, beating Dom Samourai by 1¾ lengths.
These wins cemented his reputation as a strong stayer with a preference for challenging ground conditions.
The 1998 Grand National
With a place at the starting tape, Earth Summit lined up on April 4, 1998 alongside 36 other horses for the 151st running of the Grand National.
His success in Wales had generated a lot of interest and he was backed into odds of 7/1 making the race favourite on the day.
The National was run on heavy ground, conditions that were perfect for Earth Summit. Ridden by experienced jockey Carl Llewellyn, who had already tasted Grand National success on Party Politics in 1992, they were well-prepared for the testing conditions at Aintree.
The weather had a big impact on the National making it exceptionally difficult for spectators who had endured long queues to get into Aintree due to the increased levels of security following the previous year's IRA bomb alert.
Torrential rain had also turned the going to soft, heavy in places making it only the fifth National since 1977 to have been run on truly soft ground.
As the race progressed, many horses struggled with the challenging ground, but Earth Summit thrived.
From the start, Llewellyn positioned Earth Summit in a prominent spot, avoiding trouble and staying close to the leaders.
By the second circuit, only a handful of horses remained in contention. Earth Summit found himself battling against Suny Bay, the runner-up from the previous year.
Suny Bay, a formidable opponent known for his staying power, looked like a serious challenger. However, as the race reached its final stages, Earth Summit began to pull clear.
In a commanding finish, Earth Summit surged ahead before the second-last fence, showing his superior stamina.
He crossed the finish line 11 lengths ahead of Suny Bay, with Samlee finishing a distant third.
Earth Summit completed the course in 10 minutes and 51.5 seconds, a time that reflected the harsh conditions of the race.
Thirty-seven runners took part and six completed the course without mishap, but three horses, Pashto, Do Rightly and Griffins Bar were fatally injured during the race.
Winning Connections
Nigel Twiston-Davies, based at Grange Hill Farm in Gloucestershire, had expertly prepared Earth Summit for the challenge.
Known for training stayers, Twiston-Davies played a significant role in Earth Summit's career resurgence after his injury.
It was his first of two wins in the Grand National along with Bindaree in 2002.
Carl Llewellyn, no stranger to Grand National success, gave Earth Summit a perfect ride. His experience and steady hands ensured the horse stayed out of trouble and capitalised on his strengths at the right moment.
Earth Summit was owned by The Summit Partnership, a six-man syndicate that included Aintree’s press officer Nigel Payne and former footballer Ricky George.
The 1998 Grand National win is remembered for several reasons including Earth Summit’s remarkable comeback after his near career-ending injury.
His ability to return to form and win the world's most famous steeplechase was nothing short of miraculous and a testament to Twiston-Davies' years of expertise in the industry.
It also marked the first National Triple Crown as Earth Summit became the first and only horse to win the Scottish (1994), Welsh (1997), and Aintree (1998) Grand Nationals.
While the Grand National is often unpredictable, with many favourites failing to win, Earth Summit's victory as the 7/1 favourite was a rare exception.
Other Notable Achievements
Although Earth Summit’s Grand National win is the highlight of his career, he also enjoyed success in several other major staying races.
His victory in the 1994 Scottish Grand National first marked him as a top-level performer.
He followed this up with wins in the 1995 Peter Marsh Chase and the 1997 Welsh National, before rounding off his career with a win in the 1998 Becher Chase.
After his retirement in 2000, Earth Summit was given to his groom, Marcella Bayliss, where he enjoyed a well-deserved rest.
Sadly, in March 2005, Earth Summit was humanely put down at the age of 17 after being diagnosed with cancer in his liver and spleen.
His death marked the end of a remarkable chapter in British horse racing history.
