Irish Grand National Past Winners

BySporting Chronicle

Horse Racing History The Irish Grand National The history, legendary horses and memorable winners of one of Ireland’s greatest National Hunt races. 1870 First Run…

Horse Racing History

The Irish Grand National

The history, legendary horses and memorable winners of one of Ireland’s greatest National Hunt races.

1870
First Run
Fairyhouse
Home of the Race
3m 5f
Race Distance
Easter Monday
Traditional Race Day

About the Irish Grand National

The Irish Grand National is one of the most prestigious events in Irish horse racing. First staged in 1870, the race has become a celebrated fixture of the National Hunt calendar, attracting leading horses, jockeys and trainers from Ireland and beyond.

Held at Fairyhouse Racecourse in County Meath, the race is traditionally run on Easter Monday. It is a demanding handicap steeplechase over three miles and five furlongs, testing the stamina, jumping ability and determination of every horse taking part.

Known for its unpredictable finishes and memorable performances, the Irish Grand National has produced some of the most treasured moments in Irish racing history.

The History of the Race

The first Irish Grand National took place at Fairyhouse in 1870. The inaugural winner was Sir Robert Peel, who began a tradition that would grow into one of the biggest days in Irish jump racing.

Over the decades, the race has welcomed generations of outstanding horses and racing personalities. Its history includes famous champions, remarkable outsiders and horses that have gone on to achieve success on the biggest stages of National Hunt racing.

A remarkable beginning: Sir Robert Peel won the first Irish Grand National in 1870, with a winning prize of 167 sovereigns.

Although the race has experienced cancellations during exceptional periods, including 1919, 1941 and 2020, it remains a major part of Ireland’s sporting heritage.

Fairyhouse Racecourse

Fairyhouse, located near Ratoath in County Meath, has been the home of the Irish Grand National since its beginning. The course is a right-handed circuit with a testing finish, making stamina and sound jumping essential qualities for any potential winner.

The Easter Festival brings together racing fans for one of the highlights of the Irish sporting year. The Grand National itself is the centrepiece of the meeting.

Legendary Irish Grand National Winners

Arkle – 1964

One of the greatest steeplechasers ever to race, Arkle won the Irish Grand National in 1964. His victory at Fairyhouse added another major achievement to an extraordinary career.

Brown Lad – 1975, 1976 and 1978

Brown Lad holds a special place in the race’s history. Trained by Jim Dreaper, he won the Irish Grand National three times, making him the most successful horse in the history of the event.

Desert Orchid – 1990

The much-loved Desert Orchid added the Irish Grand National to his list of achievements in 1990, carrying a substantial weight to victory in a memorable performance.

More modern champions

More recent winners have included Bobbyjo, Numbersixvalverde, I Am Maximus and Haiti Couleurs, each adding another chapter to the story of the race.

Recent Irish Grand National Winners

Year Winning Horse Jockey Trainer
2026 Soldier In Milan Donagh Meyler Emmet Mullins
2025 Haiti Couleurs Sean Bowen Rebecca Curtis
2024 Intense Raffles J. J. Slevin Thomas Gibney
2023 I Am Maximus Paul Townend Willie Mullins
2022 Lord Lariat P. J. O’Hanlon Dermot A. McLoughlin
2021 Freewheelin Dylan Ricky Doyle Dermot A. McLoughlin

The race was not run in 2020. Results and historical details should be checked against official race records when updating this table.

Why the Irish Grand National Matters

For owners, trainers and jockeys, winning the Irish Grand National is a major career achievement. For racing fans, it is a race filled with anticipation, drama and the possibility of an unexpected winner.

Its long history, Easter Monday tradition and connection with Fairyhouse make it much more than just another steeplechase. It is an important part of Ireland’s sporting identity.

Celebrating Irish Racing History

From Sir Robert Peel in 1870 to the champions of the modern era, the Irish Grand National continues to create racing memories that last for generations.

Irish Grand National

The Irish Grand National is run at Fairyhouse Racecourse, County Meath in the Republic of Ireland

The race is a 3 mile 5 furlong handicap chase for horses 5 years old and over and there are 24 fences to be jumped

The race was run first run in 1870

Year Winner Trainer Jockey Odds
2017 Our Duke (IRE) Mrs John Harrington Robbie Power 9/2F
2016 Rogue Angel (IRE) M F Morris Ger Fox 16/1
2015 Thunder And Roses (IRE) Ms Sandra Hughes Ms K Walsh 20/1
2014 Shutthefrontdoor (IRE) Jonjo O’Neill Barry Geraghty 8/1F
2013 Liberty Counsel (IRE) Thomas Gibney A P Thornton 50/1
2012 Lion Na Bearnai (IRE) Mrs D A Love Ben Dalton 33/1
2011 Organisedconfusion (IRE) A L T Moore Miss N Carberry 12/1
2010 Bluesea Cracker (IRE) J Motherway Andrew J McNamara 25/1
2009 Niche Market Bob Buckler Harry Skelton 33/1
2008 Hear The Echo M F Morris P W Flood 33/1
2007 Butler′s Cabin (FR) Jonjo O′Neill A P McCoy 14/1
2006 Point Barrow P Hughes Philip Carberry 20/1
2005 Numbersixvalverde Martin Brassil R Walsh 9/1
2004 Granit D′Estruval Ferdy Murphy B Harding 33/1
2003 Timbera D T Hughes J Culloty 11/1
2002 The Bunny Boiler Noel Meade R Geraghty 12/1
2001 Davids Lad A J Martin T J Murphy 10/1
2000 Commanche Court T M Walsh R Walsh 14/1
1999 Glebe Lad M J P O′Brien T P Rudd 8/1
1998 Bobbyjo T Carberry Paul Carberry 8/1
1997 Mudahim Mrs J Pitman J F Titley 13/2
1996 Feathered Gale A L T Moore F Woods 8/1
1995 Flashing Steel J E Mulhern J Osborne 9/1
1994 Son Of War P McCreery F Woods 12/1
1993 Ebony Jane F Flood C F Swan 6/1
1992 Vanton M J P O′Brien J F Titley 13/2
1991 Omerta M C Pipe Mr A Maguire 6/1
1990 Desert Orchid D R C Elsworth R Dunwoody Evens
1989 Maid Of Money J R H Fowler A Powell 10/1
1988 Perris Valley D K Weld B Sheridan 12/1
1987 Brittany Boy K Hitchmough T J Taaffe 14/1
1986 Insure P Hughes M Flynn 16/1
1985 Rhyme ′N′ Reason David Murray-Smith Graham Bradley 6/1
1984 Bentom Boy W Rooney Mrs Ann Ferris 33/1
1983 Bit Of A Skite E O′Grady T J Ryan 7/1
1982 King Spruce M O′Brien G Newman 20/1
1981 Luska P Mullins T Finn 11/1
1980 Daletta G St John Williams J P Harty 11/1
1979 Tied Cottage D Moore A S Robinson 13/2
1978 Brown Lad J Dreaper G Dowd 5/1
1977 Billycan A J Maxwell M F Morris 8/1
1976 Brown Lad J Dreaper T Carberry 7/2
1975 Brown Lad J Dreaper T Carberry 6/4
1974 Colebridge J Dreaper E Wright 11/5
1973 Tartan Ace T Costello J Cullen 10/1
1972 Dim Wit P Mullins M Curran 15/2
1971 King′s Sprite G Wells A Moore 7/1
1970 Garoupe F Flood F Finnegan 10/1
1969 Sweet Dreams K Bell R Coonan 10/1
1968 Herring Gull P Mullins J Crowley 5/2
1967 Vulpine P Mullins P Curran 7/1
1966 Flyingbolt T Dreaper P Taaffe 8/11
1965 Splash T Dreaper P Woods 6/4
1964 Arkle T Dreaper P Taaffe 1/2
1963 Last Link T Dreaper P Woods 7/1
1962 Kerforo T Dreaper L McLoughlin 9/1
1961 Fortria T Dreaper P Taaffe 17/2
1960 Olympia T Dreaper P Taaffe 6/1
1959 Zonda M Geraghty P Taaffe 5/1
1958 Gold Legend J Brogan J Lehane 100/8
1957 Kilballyown P Norris W Robinson 10/1
1956 Air Prince J McClintock T O′Brien 20/1
1955 Umm G Wells P Taaffe 100/7
1954 Royal Approach T Dreaper P Taaffe Evens
1953 Overshadow C Magnier A Power 20/1
1952 Alberoni M V O′Brien L Stephens 6/1
1951 Icy Calm W O′Grady P Doyle 100/6
1950 Dominick′s Bar T Hyde M Molony 8/1
1949 Shagreen T Dreaper E Newman 5/1
1948 Hamstar W O′Grady E Kennedy 6/1
1947 Revelry R O′Connell D Moore 6/1
1946 Golden View II J Fitzgerald M Molony 7/1
1945 Heirdom J Kirwan J P Maguire 100/7
1944 Knight′s Crest C Harty M Molony 100/8
1943 Golden Jack C A Rogers D L Moore 5/2
1942 Prince Regent T W Dreaper T Hyde 5/2
1941 No Race No Race No Race No Race
1940 Jack Chaucer   J Lenehan 5/2
1939 Shaun Peel   J Wade 20/1
1938 Clare County   T Hyde 4/1
1937 Pontet   F E McKeever 3/1
1936 Alice Maythorn   M C Prendergast 10/1
1935 Rathfriland   T Regan 8/1
1934 Poolgowran   R Everett 8/1
1933 Red Park   D Kirwan 4/1
1932 Copper Court   T Cullen 2/1
1931 Impudent Barney   Mr F E McKeever 6/1
1930 Fanmond   K Lenehan 7/1
1929 Alike   Mr F W Wise 3/1
1928 Don Sancho   T B Cullinan 8/1
1927 Jerpoint   P Powell 2/1
1926 Amberwave   Mr J E O′Brien 8/1
1925 Dog Fox   Jos Doyle 8/1
1924 Kilbarry   W Horan 10/1
1923 Be Careful   J Moloney 100/8
1922 Halston   J Moloney 100/8
1921 Bohermore   D Colbert 7/1
1920 Halston   D Colbert 4/1
1919 No Race No Race No Race No Race
1918 Ballyboggan   C Hawkins Evens
1917 Pay Only   Mr W F Stanley 6/4
1916 All Sorts   J Lynn 5/1
1915 Punch   Mr R H Walker 7/2
1914 Civil War   Captain P O′Brien-Butler 6/1
1913 Little Hack II   Mr R H Walker 10/1
1912 Small Polly   Mr R H Walker 10/1
1911 Repeater II   Mr J A Trench 100/8
1910 Oniche   Mr F Malone 100/8
1909 Little Hack II   Mr R H Walker 10/1
1908 Lord Rivers   Mr R H Walker 10/1
1907 Sweet Cecil   Mr T Price Evens
1906 Brown Bess   J Bresname 10/1
1905 Red Lad   C Kelly 6/4
1904 Ascetic′s Silver   T Dowdall 3/1
1903 Kirko   J Scully 4/1
1902 Patlander   J Cheshire Evens
1901 Tipperary Boy   T Moran 4/6
1900 Mavis Of Meath   J Kelly 5/2
1899 Princess Hilda   Mr J Clarke 100/15
1898 Porridge   T Collier 9/2
1897 Breemount′s Pride   R Hopper Evens
1896 Royston Crow   Mr L Parsons 6/1
1895 Yellow Girl II   Mr J Ennis 8/1
1894 The Admiral   Mr F W Mitchell 8/1
1893 Thurles   L Ryan 6/4
1892 Springfield Maid   Mr L Hope 6/1
1891 Firewater   Captain J Burn-Murdoch 10/1
1890 Greek Girl   Mr H Gore 5/2
1889 Citadel   Mr H Beasley 3/1
1888 Maroon   Mr W McAuliffe 4/1
1887 Eglantine   Mr R Brabazon 4/1
1886 Castle Lucas   Mr Atkinson 100/30
1885 Billet Doux   Mr W Murland 5/1
1884 The Gift   T Kelly 5/2
1883 The Gift   T Kelly 5/1
1882 Chantilly   D Canavan 5/2
1881 Antoinette   S Fleming 4/1
1880 Controller   Mr H Beasley 6/4
1879 Jupiter Nonans   Captain S F Lee-Barber 7/1
1878 Juggler   Mr J Beasley 3/1
1877 Thiggin Thue   Mr T Beasley 4/1
1876 Grand National   Mr T Beasley 100/30
1875 Scots Grey   Mr G Moore 6/1
1874 Sailor   W Ryan 8/1
1873 The Torrent   M Toole 100/6
1872 Scots Grey   Mr G Moore 5/2
1871 The Doe   J Boylan Evens
1870 Sir Robert Peel   J Boylan 9/2

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