The Grand National Sponsorship Story: From Ale to Healthcare – A Complete History of Aintree’s Iconic Race Partners

Let’s take a friendly canter through the fascinating history of the Aintree Grand National’s sponsorships.

If you’ve ever wondered why the world’s most famous steeplechase sometimes sounds like an advert for your local off-licence or, more recently, a health clinic, you’re not alone.

The Grand National’s journey through the hands of sponsors is a tale of changing times, shifting priorities, and the odd bit of corporate soul-searching.

So, saddle up because here’s the story, told just for you.

The Early Days: When Sponsors First Entered the Parade Ring

Grand National sponsorship goes back further than most people think. The race itself dates to 1839, but it wasn’t until 1958 that the first official sponsorship arrived.

The Irish Hospital Sweepstakes chipped in £5,000 towards the prize money, a tidy sum back then and a lifeline for a race that was already a national institution.

In the early 1960s, Schweppes Limited added their fizz to the pot, providing extra funds in 1961 and 1962.

But the 1970s brought real drama. Aintree’s future was in doubt, and it was Ladbrokes, the bookmakers, who stepped up in 1975 to keep the National running.

Without them, the race might have been just a fond memory, rather than the global spectacle it is today.

The Booze Years: Seagram, Martell, and John Smith’s

If you’re sensing a theme here, you’re right as alcohol brands and the Grand National have gone together like jockeys and saddles.

In 1984, Canadian distiller Seagram took the reins, sponsoring the Grand National until 1991.

Their involvement was memorable for more than just the branding: in their final year, a horse named Seagram fittingly won the race, which is the kind of poetic ending you’d expect in a movie.

After Seagram, Martell, a Seagram subsidiary and cognac manufacturer, took over in 1992.

Their sponsorship was initially set for seven years, but they enjoyed it so much they stuck around until 2004, making it a 16-year run.

Martell’s involvement helped boost the prize money and prestige of the event, attracting better horses and more international attention.

Then came John Smith’s, the traditional bitter brand, in 2005. Their nine-year partnership saw the Grand National’s profile rise even further, with increased prize money and a solid marketing push.

John Smith’s brought a sense of tradition and familiarity, but also faced challenges.

The last years of their Grand National sponsorship were marred by negative publicity after two horses died in both the 2011 and 2012 runnings, leading to difficult conversations about the future of the race and its public image.

When John Smith’s announced in 2013 that they would not renew their Grand Natioanl sponsorship, citing commercial reasons (and perhaps the negative headlines), it was a shock for many.

The race’s organisers, however, remained optimistic, confident that the Grand National’s global appeal would attract new sponsors.

Crabbie’s: A Ginger Twist

After much speculation and a few nervous cups of tea (or perhaps something stronger), Aintree found its new sponsor in Crabbie’s, the ginger-based alcoholic drinks brand, for the 2014 Grand National.

This was a big leap for Crabbie’s, whose parent company, Halewood International, had deep roots in racing.

John Halewood owned Amberleigh House, the 2004 Grand National winner, and his partner Judy Halewood was the only female trainer to have bred, owned, and trained a runner in the race.

Crabbie’s brought a younger, quirkier vibe to the National, with their adverts leaning into British eccentricity.

Their Grand National sponsorship marked the first time the Grand National’s prize fund exceeded £1 million, a milestone that raised the race’s quality and international profile even further.

Crabbie’s also sponsored other races during the festival, making their mark on Aintree in a big way.

Their three-year run was considered successful, especially in terms of brand exposure. The Grand National’s global audience gave Crabbie’s a platform few other events could offer.

But by 2016, Crabbie’s decided not to renew. The decision was partly financial after Halewood Wines and Spirits had suffered a significant loss in 2015 and needed to focus on other priorities.

CEO Steward Hainsworth explained that, while the exposure was fantastic, the three-day window of the event wasn’t quite the fit they needed for their brand’s long-term goals.

Enter Randox Health: A New Era (and a New Direction)

With Crabbie’s bowing out, Aintree was once again in search of a sponsor. This time, the answer came from an unlikely quarter: Randox Health, a preventive healthcare group based in Northern Ireland.

Their five-year deal, starting with the 2017 Grand National, marked a dramatic shift from the long line of drinks brands.

Suddenly, the world’s most famous steeplechase was promoting health checks instead of pints.

Randox Health, founded by Dr Peter FitzGerald in 1982, is a diagnostics company with a global reach. They export medical kits to 145 countries and employ over 1,400 people.

Their clinics offer health screenings and promote preventative care, a message that, at first glance, seemed at odds with the race’s boozy history.

But Dr FitzGerald saw it differently. In interviews, he explained that both Randox and the Grand National invest in the future, and the partnership was a way to promote healthy lifestyles to millions.

“We care about people’s health, and this is the people’s race,” he said, using the Grand National’s massive platform to raise awareness of preventive healthcare.

The deal also made Randox the official healthcare partner of the Jockey Club, which runs many of British racing’s biggest events.

For Randox, the Grand National sponsorship was a chance to become a household name and expand their network of clinics across the UK and Ireland.

Race organisers welcomed the new partnership, praising Randox’s vision and ambition.

John Baker, North West Regional Director for Jockey Club Racecourses, called it “an incredibly exciting time” and expressed confidence that Randox would be fantastic partners for the Grand National.

How Did These Sponsorships Stack Up?

Let’s take a quick breather and look back at how each sponsor fared:

Each sponsor left its mark, whether by keeping the race afloat, raising prize money, or changing the event’s image.

The transition from drinks brands to a healthcare provider mirrored broader social trends—less focus on alcohol, more on wellbeing.

Randox Health: The Present and the Future

Randox Health has solidified its commitment to the Aintree Grand National by extending its title sponsorship through to 2029, marking one of the longest continuous partnerships in the race’s history.

The extension was officially announced during the 2025 Grand National Festival and adds three more years to the existing agreement, which was originally set to run until the end of 2026.

This means Randox will have sponsored the Grand National for at least 12 years, equaling the record previously set by Martell in the 1990s and early 2000s.

The continued partnership also highlights Randox’s involvement in equine welfare, with the company offering veterinary testing and collaborating with vets, trainers, and owners to support the health and well-being of horses competing at Aintree.

A Few Final Furlongs

So, what does the future hold for the Grand National and its sponsors? If history tells us anything, it’s that the race will keep adapting.

Sponsors may come and go, but the Grand National remains the people’s race – a thrilling, unpredictable event that captures the imagination of millions, whether they’re there for the horses, the spectacle, or just a flutter.

And who knows? If Randox do not continue beyond 2029, maybe the next sponsor will be something completely unexpected – like a tech company, or maybe a vegan sausage brand.

Stranger things have happened at Aintree!

For now, Randox Health holds the reins, and the Grand National gallops on, as lively and beloved as ever.

If you’re watching next year, raise a glass (or a health smoothie) to all the sponsors who’ve kept this great race running.

And remember: whether it’s about the thrill of the chase or the joy of the spectacle, the Grand National is still, and always will be, for everyone.