The 1993 Grand National is infamous as the only time in the race’s long history that it was declared void, leaving a gaping blank in racing’s record books and millions of punters without a result.
We take a look back at the ill-fated event, from the build-up to its aftermath, along with every fascinating detail surrounding the chaos at Aintree that spring.
The Build Up
The Grand National at Aintree, held on 3 April 1993, was set to be the 147th running of the world-famous steeplechase, attracting a global audience exceeding 300 million and over £75 million in bets.
In the weeks leading up to the race, attention focused on whether Party Politics, the giant gelding who had stormed to a popular victory in 1992, could defend his crown.
The ground was officially good to firm, though the weather that day was unsettled and blustery, adding extra uncertainty.
But as with the previous couple of years, there was an additional layer of tension due to animal rights activists regularly targeting the Grand National.
In 1993, protestors again managed to breach the course near the start, introducing unwanted nerves among jockeys and horses and delaying proceedings well beyond the scheduled start time.
Race Favourites
Betting on the Grand National today is spectacularly easy compared to 1993. We can now place bets in seconds using online platforms or dedicated apps, with leading bookmakers offering instant promotions like 30 free spins alongside free bets and price boosts.
Unlike the queues and manual slips of the early 1990s, today’s racegoers compare odds, find exclusive offers, and wager on any runner from their phones or laptops with just a few taps.
However, even then, the ante-post markets and on-the-day betting were abuzz with familiar names. Party Politics, reunited with Carl Llewellyn, was the clear favourite after his previous year’s win and recent victory at Haydock, saw him backed down to a starting price of 7/1.
Captain Dibble, partnered for the 13th time with Peter Scudamore, had clinched the Scottish National in 1992 and started at 9/1. Other notable contenders included Romany King (15/2), Zeta’s Lad (15/2), and Royal Athlete (17/2).
Alongside the fancied horses were outsiders who would unwittingly become central to the drama that unfolded, such as Esha Ness, a 50/1 shot under John White.
What Happened on the Day
Once the disruptions caused by protestors on the course were handled, the runners eventually lined up to the relief of fans and horses alike, though some already seemed agitated and unsettled by the delay.
As the field approached the starter’s tape for the first attempt, several horses became entangled, leading to a false start signaled by the red flag.
On the second attempt, the tape still did not release cleanly when a combination of persistent rain and faulty equipment caused it to catch around jockey Richard Dunwoody’s neck.
The starter, Keith Brown, signaled another false start, but a crucial communication breakdown followed: the recall flag, meant to stop the field, failed to unfurl properly.
In the confusion, only nine of the 39 jockeys pulled up as instructed; the rest carried on, with 30 horses jumping the first fence and surging off around the demanding Aintree course, many believing any waving officials were further protestors.
“The Race That Never Was”
As the horses thundered on, attempts to halt the race failed. Even some trainers tried to flag down their charges from near the course.
Most jockeys remained oblivious, assuming the depleted field was simply the result of falls, which are commonplace in the National.
Esha Ness, a 50/1 outsider, crossed the finish in first, clocking what would have been the second-fastest time in Grand National history.
Six others completed the course. Remarkably, many spectators and even commentators carried on as normal, with the magnitude of the disaster dawning slowly over the next few minutes.
Why the Race Was Declared Void
The official decision to declare the race void rested on the fact that the majority of runners had set off under unfair and irregular conditions, specifically after a false start that was not properly communicated.
With multiple horses never having started, and the rest effectively running a rogue steeplechase, it was impossible to award a legitimate result.
For the first and only time, the Grand National “never was,” and bookmakers paid back over £75 million in refunded bets.
Could the Race Have Been Re-Run?
There was speculation and debate in the immediate aftermath about whether the horses that had obeyed the false start signals could have been allowed to contest a re-run the same day or on another.
In the end, safety concerns, logistical complexities, and the psychological toll on horses and jockeys made it unfeasible, and the 1993 National was left blank.
Official Inquiries and the Blame Game
An official inquiry was rapidly convened, chaired by High Court judge Sir Michael Connell. The investigation apportioned blame between Keith Brown, the starter, for allowing the field to creep too close to the tape, and Ken Evans, the recall man down the course, for not effectively stopping the field after the second false start.
Criticism was also aimed at training procedures, race-day communication, and the lack of modern fail-safes.
Public expectation was that lessons must be learned, and indeed, the Jockey Club’s report acknowledged that a combination of bad luck, administrative failure, human error, and external protest conspired in a “perfect storm” of racing catastrophe.
Changes and Safeguards
The story did not end in 1993. A major overhaul of the Grand National’s starting and recall procedures followed. The starting tape was strengthened, now using three strands and a more visible pattern.
The physical width of the start was also reduced. Critically, the recall process was modernised and two officials armed with highly visible fluorescent yellow flags (and in radio contact with the starter) were positioned to signal a false start, and, should more drastic action be required, a third official, with a vehicle if necessary, would chase after any runners missing the signal.
Although debate raged about introducing horns, flashing lights, or electronic signals, traditional methods, carefully reinforced, were preferred due to their better visibility and redundancies.
The changes proved highly effective, and as of 2025, the calamity of 1993 has not been repeated.
The Aftershock
The 1993 Grand National is often remembered as “the £75 million race that never was,” a nod to the unprecedented sum refunded by bookmakers after the event was declared void, leaving racing fans in disbelief.
John White, who rode Esha Ness to what would have been a famous victory, later spoke of his confusion and crushing disappointment when he realised the win would not count.
The episode also marked the abrupt end to the career of starter Keith Brown, whose decades-long tenure concluded amid the chaos and controversy of that spring day.
The debacle forced the horse racing world to confront the vulnerabilities of the Grand National to both human error and external disruptions, ushering in an era of reform and tighter procedures.
Today, the incident stands as one of modern sport’s most notorious blunders, still evoked as a cautionary tale in racing circles across the country.
Lasting Legacy
Despite being “the race that never was,” the 1993 Grand National is arguably one of the most talked-about renewals.
Its legacy is one of humility and reform: a reminder that behind every tradition, robust systems and clear communication are vital.
Today, fans, punters, and participants alike still shake their heads at the memory of the voided National, grateful that measures are in place to ensure it can never happen again.
