The 2014 Grand National marked a fresh chapter in the race’s long history – new sponsor, new energy, and a bumper £1 million prize fund to kick things off.
With Crabbie’s Ginger Beer taking over as headline sponsor, the world’s most famous steeplechase got a fizzy rebrand, adding a modern twist to its traditional charm.
But while the branding changed, the drama on the course was as gripping as ever.
In a field packed with familiar names and seasoned stayers, it was Pineau De Re, a 25/1 shot, who galloped into the history books.
Ridden by Leighton Aspell, who had only recently come out of retirement, the ten-year-old stayed on strongest of all to claim a famous win for trainer Dr Richard Newland, a part-time GP.
It was a victory that caught many by surprise and showed that the Grand National still had the knack for throwing up the unexpected.
So did it all unfold? Let’s go back to the beginning to find out.
The Build-Up: Bigger, Bolder, and Crabbier Than Ever
As the new year dawned, Aintree wasn’t content to just sit back and wait for the horses to arrive.
No, they kicked off 2014 with their biggest ad campaign yet, “The Grandest Show, The Greatest Drama.”
The campaign, crafted by Loaf Creative, was all about showing off the unpredictable, captivating nature of the Grand National.
The ad featured everything from the ceremonial lowering of the starting flag to a cheeky nod to Ladies Day, and of course, plenty of dramatic shots of horses and jockeys doing their thing.
They even roped in the iconic Royal Liver Building in Liverpool, shot scenes in Leeds, and spent time at Donald McCain’s stables in Cheshire, where Across The Bay and jockey Henry Brooke got their moment in the spotlight.
This year was special for another reason: Crabbie’s was making its debut as the title sponsor.
The Jockey Club’s marketing team was keen to introduce the new sponsor with a bang, and a shiny new website was launched to match the campaign’s energy.
“2014 is a really significant year for Aintree and the Grand National,” said John Baker, Regional Director for The Jockey Club in the North West.
“We wanted to create a campaign which raises the bar to attract a broader reaching audience to what is one of the greatest sporting events in the world.”
Entries Galore: Who’s In, Who’s Out?
With the ad campaign launched, it was time to turn our attention to the list of entries for the 2014 Grand National.
Jaws dropped when 115 runners had been entered, a whopping 31 more than the previous year.
For the first time ever, the prize fund topped £1 million, which might explain why so many trainers fancied their chances.
Familiar names like Long Run, Triolo D’Alene, Tidal Bay, and the Welsh National winner Mountainous were all in the mix.
Philip Hobbs, who had a couple of hopefuls, said, “Balthazar King is probably our best chance on Good ground and Chance Du Roy on soft.”
But as always, not everyone made it to the starting line. After the first scratchings stage in late February, 15 horses were withdrawn, including the highest-rated Rubi Light, who needed a rest after a lacklustre run.
Others like Planet Of Sound and Merry King also bowed out, while some, like Cape Tribulation and Massini’s Maguire, stayed in despite injury or poor form, leaving punters scratching their heads.
By the time the five-day declaration stage rolled around, the field had shrunk to 65. Some withdrawals were expected, like Godsmejudge and Sunnyhillboy, but there were surprises too.
Same Difference, who had been backed down to 33/1, was a shock non-runner. This opened the door for horses like Raz De Maree, Rose Of The Moon, Shakalakaboomboom, and Alvarado to sneak into the final 40.
The Greys, The Long-Shots, and the Punters’ Dilemmas
If you’re the kind of person who picks a horse based on colour, you weren’t alone.
Grey horses always have their fans, and in 2014, four made it to the final line-up: Walkon, Our Father, Swing Bill, and Rose Of The Moon.
All were long shots at 50/1, but hey, sometimes you’ve got to back the horse that matches your hair – or your mood.
The bookies were having a field day, with 26 runners priced at 33/1 or higher. Statistically, a big-priced outsider often sneaks into the top five, so punters looking for value had plenty of options.
Horses like Chance Du Roy, Mr Moonshine, Raz De Maree, One In A Milan, and Twirling Magnet were all being whispered about in the betting shops, each with their own quirky backstory and a glimmer of hope.
The Favourites and the Form: Who Would Win?
Everyone wanted to know: who would win the 2014 Grand National? With 40 runners and 30 jumps, predicting the winner is a bit like trying to guess the weather in April – anything can happen, and it usually does.
Monbeg Dude, known affectionately as “The Dude,” was high on many lists. He’d won the Welsh National and had been carefully prepped for Aintree.
Long Run, a Gold Cup winner, was another big name, running off a handicap mark well below his best.
Teaforthree, from Rebecca Curtis and third in 2013, was back for another crack, and The Package was a popular each-way fancy after a solid comeback run.
The experts said to look for horses aged 9 to 11 with plenty of chase experience and a record in big races.
Fences at Aintree are unique, so horses like Chance Du Roy, who’d already won over them, were seen as solid bets for a place.
But as always, it was wide open, and everyone had their own “sure thing”.
The Final Countdown: Odds, Royalty, and Last-Minute Drama
As race day approached, the odds were shifting faster than you could say “each-way bet.”
Teaforthree drifted from 8/1 to 10/1, Monbeg Dude from 12/1 to 14/1, and even outsiders like Walkon saw their odds slashed as punters piled in.
Meanwhile, Kruzhlinin became the only 100/1 shot in the field, so if you fancied a real fairy tale, you knew where to look.
Adding a touch of royal sparkle, Princess Anne announced she’d be attending, partly to cheer on Monbeg Dude, co-owned by her son-in-law, rugby star Mike Tindall.
If Monbeg Dude won, it would be a first for the Royal Family, though they’d come heartbreakingly close in 1956 when Devon Loch famously fell with the Queen Mother’s hopes on his back.
There was also some last-minute drama about who would make the cut. Swing Bill, a 13-year-old grey, just squeaked in after Lost Glory was withdrawn.
David Pipe, his trainer, confirmed the news on Twitter, and punters who like a good story (or a good grey) had another reason to tune in.
Race Day: The World Stands Still
Finally, the big day arrived. Over 600 million people worldwide tuned in, and more than £150 million was expected to be wagered in the UK alone.
The tension was palpable. Even the horses seemed to feel it – Battle Group refused to start, causing a false start and a few nervous laughs among the crowd.
Once they were off, it was the usual Grand National chaos. Horses fell, unseated riders, and pulled up all over the course.
Teaforthree, so well fancied, was a faller at The Chair. Long Run, another big hope, also came down early.
By the finish, only 18 of the 40 runners made it home, but thankfully, all horses returned safe and sound.
Pineau De Re’s Moment of Glory
After all the build-up, the drama, and the heartbreak, it was Pineau De Re, a 25/1 shot, who galloped into the history books.
Trained by Dr Richard Newland and ridden by Leighton Aspell, Pineau De Re powered home ahead of Balthazar King (14/1), with Double Seven (10/1 joint favourite) in third.
Alvarado (33/1) and Rocky Creek (16/1) rounded out the top five, proving once again that you ignore the outsiders at your peril.
Here’s how the top finishers crossed the line:
- 1st – Pineau De Re (25/1)
- 2nd – Balthazar King (14/1)
- 3rd – Double Seven (10/1 JF)
- 4th – Alvarado (33/1)
- 5th – Rocky Creek (16/1)
And if you backed Kruzhlinin at 100/1, you’d have been delighted to see him trot home in tenth place – proof that miracles do happen, just maybe not quite the one you were hoping for.
The Aftermath: Cheers, Tears, and Tales for the Pub
When the dust settled, everyone had a story, whether it was about the horse they nearly backed, the outsider that almost made them rich, or the favourite who let them down.
Nicky Henderson, who’d sent out four runners, didn’t get a single one in the top five. Meanwhile, the bookies breathed a sigh of relief as another favourite bit the dust and a 25/1 shot took the spoils.
But above all, the 2014 Grand National lived up to its billing as “The Grandest Show, The Greatest Drama.”
It was a race full of twists, turns, and a fair share of laughs, especially if you picked your horse based on the colour of its silks, its name, or just a hunch.
So, whether you were cheering from the stands, watching at home, or just there for the sweepstake at work, the 2014 Grand National reminded us all why we love this mad, magnificent race.
And if you didn’t win this year, well, there’s always next time. Just remember: sometimes, the best stories are the ones you can tell, even if your horse finished last
