Mon Mome's victory in the 2009 Grand National is remembered as one of the biggest shocks in horse racing.
He was sent off at odds of 100/1, which generally means that few people outside his immediate connections gave him a real chance of winning.
Yet by the end of the race, this unfancied runner had crossed the line to victory, leaving favourite backers and onlookers amazed.
The story behind Mon Mome, his trainer Venetia Williams, and jockey Liam Treadwell is one of determination and skill that led to a result few anticipated.
Winning Trainer Venetia Williams
Venetia Williams is an established figure in the British horse racing world. She trains National Hunt horses and has long been respected among fellow trainers, owners, and jockeys for her attention to detail and the consistent results she produces.
One of her notable achievements before 2009 was riding in the Grand National herself in 1988, although that ended with a fall.
Over the years, she built a stable that focused on horses that might not always be the top picks in the betting market but are prepared well for the challenges of big fences and staying distances.
When Mon Mome entered the 2009 Grand National, Williams was not unfamiliar with top-class success, but she did not have the name recognition of some bigger operations.
This lack of big stable hype may have contributed to Mon Mome’s long odds. However, within the racing community, Williams was viewed as a sharp trainer who could pull off a surprise when conditions fell into place.
Liam Treadwell: The Jockey
Liam Treadwell was a relatively new face among the big names of jump racing. Many people within racing circles knew he was talented, but he lacked the high-profile successes that attract headlines.
This changed in one afternoon when the win on Mon Mome in the Grand National put him on a stage that can define a jockey's entire career.
Before the 2009 race, Treadwell had shown promise as a rider capable of giving horses a patient and well-judged ride.
His calm temperament and willingness to ride for smaller trainers gave him experience aboard all sorts of different horses.
That experience of riding underdogs proved valuable in the chaos of a big-field handicap chase like the Grand National.
Why Bookmakers Set Mon Mome at 100/1
Odds in horse racing reflect how likely a horse is thought to win, based on past form, public support, and the opinions of odds compilers.
Mon Mome had shown glimpses of talent earlier in his career. In fact, he placed eighth in the Grand National in 2008, which is not a bad result.
But heading into 2009, his recent performances had not suggested a big improvement in form.
Bookmakers noted that he had shown little to indicate he would claim a massive prize against a full field of capable jumpers.
Additionally, the Grand National often features a large field that can run anywhere from 30 to 40 horses. This makes the race tricky to predict.
Even so, certain horses attract attention due to their names, proven big-race performance, or connections.
Others, like Mon Mome, might be viewed as having only a slim chance. That is why he went off at 100/1, which implies a 1% chance according to the simplistic reading of odds (though the actual chance can differ a bit).
Punters who did back him likely did so due to personal intuition, a random hunch, or maybe a sentimental reason.
In most cases, few would have expected him to beat more fancied rivals such as Butler's Cabin (trained by Jonjo O’Neill) or Comply Or Die (the previous year’s winner).
Nonetheless, as racing history frequently shows, outcomes are not always decided by the market.
How the 2009 Grand National Race Unfolded
The 2009 race was contested over roughly four miles and four furlongs, demanding stamina, jumping skill, and a bit of luck to navigate the iconic fences at Aintree.
The strong favourites were My Will, Butler's Cabin, and Comply Or Die, who was trying to defend his 2008 title. Meanwhile, Mon Mome was overlooked by most.
Early in the race, several leading contenders tried to settle in mid-division. Mon Mome traveled along, jumping safely.
As the field thinned out with fallers and unseated riders, Mon Mome stayed on his feet. By the time they reached the final circuit, only around half the field remained in contention.
Approaching the last few fences, Mon Mome began to close in on the front group. Some jockeys might have pushed too hard too soon, but Treadwell timed his run well.
He let Mon Mome advance steadily without burning excessive energy. By the second-last fence, he had moved into a striking position.
His main threats were horses like Comply Or Die and My Will, who were also running strongly.
However, by the last fence, Mon Mome was in the lead. He pulled clear and crossed the finish line 12 lengths ahead of Comply Or Die.
It was a stunning finish that saw a huge outsider turn the tables on much shorter-priced horses.
Stats on 100/1 Grand National Winners
Mon Mome joined a select group of horses that started at 100/1 (or greater) and still managed to win the Grand National.
Historically, it is rare for such outsiders to do so. Prior to Mon Mome, four horses had triumphed at 100/1:
- Tipperary Tim (1928)
- Gregalach (1929)
- Caughoo (1947)
- Foinavon (1967)
Each of these winners caused a stir in its own era, but Mon Mome was the first such winner in over 40 years.
The victory proved that even in modern racing, long shots can still come out on top. Since then, there has not been another 100/1 winner, which highlights how rare the event is.
Mon Mome The Legend
Mon Mome’s status as a legend in the sport can be traced to a few factors. First, the Grand National is arguably the best-known steeplechase in the world.
It holds a special place in racing and popular culture because it is unpredictable, physically demanding, and full of drama.
Any winner of the race gains a permanent place in its record of achievement.
Second, Mon Mome’s win at 100/1 reminded people that the result of a horse race is not determined solely by public opinion or the size of the betting market.
It stands as a symbol of how success can come from unexpected places. Fans celebrate that aspect of the Grand National, which has always been open to shocks and reversals of expectation.
Third, the victory boosted the careers of the people involved. Venetia Williams had won notable races before, but she never had a horse claim the Grand National.
This moment validated her years of work and skillful handling of a horse that many had dismissed.
Meanwhile, Liam Treadwell instantly became known across the racing world. Though he was a modest figure before the race, he ended the day as a Grand National-winning jockey, which is something that stays in racing records forever.
After The Victory
After his 2009 Grand National victory, Mon Mome continued to race, but he did not repeat that success.
He would sometimes run creditably in big handicap chases, but winning another major prize proved difficult.
The fact that he never again reached those same heights does not detract from his monumental achievement that fateful day at Aintree.
His name remains in the record books as one of the few 100/1 shots to triumph in what many consider the most challenging steeplechase on the calendar.
For Venetia Williams, it was the crowning achievement of her training career up to that point. She had endured various tests as a trainer, including a serious injury during her own riding days, but overcame them to train at the top level.
For Liam Treadwell, crossing the line in front at Aintree lifted him into the spotlight.
His performance in the saddle underlined how timing, patience, and precise jumping can lead to success when conditions line up well.
Unfortunately, Liam Treadwell passed away on June 23, 2020, at the age of 34.
He had been open in interviews about struggling with mental health problems with his death a tragedy for the racing community. Friends and fellow jockeys paid tribute to his talent, kindness, and warm personality.
Mon Mome’s surprise result also reminded bookmakers that anything can happen in a big-field handicap.
While they often favour the market leaders, the Grand National’s nature means there are many variables—horse fitness, ground conditions, jumping errors—that can shift the outcome significantly.
Mon Mome’s victory is a permanent reminder that punters might want to keep an eye on every runner, even those at huge odds.
