Grand Nationals 1980 to 1989

[@dakg8034]

I remember these races like they were yesterday. They ignite some wonderful memories. Thanks for posting.

[@richardb1092]

I recall that on the morning of the 1980 Grand National, John Francome, Jenny Hembrow and Charlie Fenwick were interviewed in the ditch of the 3rd/19th. There is a suspicion that the fence was mis-measured too big by a few inches. The 1980 fences looked stiff as on second circuit they retained their height unlike today. What a challenge they were. Many thanks for the uploads.

[@shaunspadah5790]

there was major problems at the 19th ditch about 7 exited

[@paulsummerfield6357]

Much stiffer than today and add to the fact that Beachers and Valantines are now level on landing side and have been for a number of years!

[@teenoso4069]

@@paulsummerfield6357 And fence angles made more friendly too

[@Yidspurs]

My grandfather was an avid watcher of racing (and better) I used to love watching all the races with him as a kid especially the national as he used to get so animated sadly he passed away awhile ago so I watch them on my own

[@stephenholmes1036]

The Pilgarlics 4th national 5th, 4th twice and 3rd a real chaser

[@grincher2006]

Great to see proper National fences with horses making an effort and not breasting them halfway down. Much more exciting than the bland stuffed hurdles we have today

[@keithlewis7136]

Totally agree the hurdles they are jumping now is making the race less interesting, the skill of jumping is now being eroded

[@stephenholmes1036]

Agree its ruined its harder to jump my track Plumpton than Aintree

[@ElizabethCoral]

Notorious pessimist Capt Tim Forster's pre-race "advice" to Charlie Fenwick in 1980..."keep remounting!" In 1985 he said this to Last Suspect's jockey Hywel Davies: "I'll meet you round the back of the stands after we've caught the horse." Total legend lol

[@teenoso4069]

You are half right. I heard directly from Charlie Fenwick and yes Capt Forster did mutter those words, but it wasnt before the National - I can reveal more ;-)

[@32446]

When the National was the National. It’s pretty dull now.

[@grincher2006]

looking again at the 1980 race. Brings back so many memories of the day. 1980, 89, 94,98 and 2001 were the last heavy ground nationals. Its been 14 years since the last one. Long overdue.

[@tommotom7324]

They would doll all the fences off and so the runners would simply skim round the outside. Then the marketers will boast about the Grand National being a stamina test and the "classiest" GN ever. I can't stand the way the race is now.

[@teenoso4069]

@@tommotom7324 Looking at the recent entries, it chokes me to remember how the race once was.

[@johnfinnerty4243]

Sir Peter O Sullevan. The greatest commentator of all time.

[@LB1973]

That 1980 national was probably the most money that my town has ever won. Everyone was on Ben Nevis (I live next to the mountain) so much so that the local bookie actually became a ladbrokes overnight as he didn't lay enough off on it :s

[@amtha9077]

I cry everytime

[@Leediverify]

Still can't believe Last Suspect won in 85 after jumping the final fence in 4th.

[@TheMeepUsesTheDefiniteArticle]

Corbierre and Greasepaint never spoken about but both placed (with one win) 3 years in a row

[@grincher2006]

two excellent national horses lumping huge weights. Arguably, Corbiere was the best national horse in 83, 84 and 85 - just the massive weights stopped him claiming 3 wins. I would also add West Tip as a stalwart.

[@uhegbu]

Simon Edmonds West Tip has to be the most successful horse since Red Rum. Winner in 1986 and 2nd in 1989 and then placed again I think in 1990. 'Lead the field' is now commonly used by many commentators including one of the Racing UK presenters Stewart Machin whom we will hear in the 2015 incarnation. Aldaniti won the Grand National the year I was born. Memorable race.

[@waqarkhan25]

some year later his daughter rode in the national but only finish behind non-other Tigar roll

[@TheMeepUsesTheDefiniteArticle]

Del Moss must have some kind of record for most fences lead over in a National! 80, 82 and 83 he was up there for most of it.

[@derekbunten519]

What up the 75-79 not available in my country, wtf, was enjoying ur great work, only one a can't see

[@Cloughjordan23]

i got a feeling i got that same problem when using either my mobile or tablet. But on a laptop it's fine and I/you can watch them that way.

[@andycarmichael3012]

That Dark Ivy fall was horrible, broke the horses neck and killed it, gave the animal rights campaigners all they needed to get the fences softened. Love the old races though, true tests of stamina.

[@phildurrant2422]

True. Youd be hard pressed to remember the winner in 87, but every year at Beachers I think of Dark Ivy. A lot go for Niall Madden the jockey of Attitude Adjuster over that death, but AA was at it again in 1989 when you watch it back

[@richardmalton4985]

They’re a fickle bunch, the activists. They can’t stand horses running in this, but when they go to fox hunts their concern for the horses - who make similar leaps over far more dangerous countryside fences - is nowhere to be seen. I appreciate their concerns though.

[@richardmalton4985]

@@darrendiggins9853 No trolling & I do get them. No idea what you’re upset about.

[@32446]

That was was my horse. I cried a lot.

[@mrpendleton5414]

And the total number of deaths including jockeys from this vt was 846.

[@mysticalsprings1998]

It's like rugby vs American football to see this race.

[@richardmalton4985]

Great to have all these races, but a shame they’re all in this weird, squashed, almost square ratio instead of the broadcast 4:3.

[@gilbert55]

its how they were recorded on the racing channel

[@williambeekman5383]

hi john searching for footage from 1982 horse called brondesbury

[@alinareybey3263]

Ouch I cringe when the horses fall and just get back up like nothin happened

[@waqarkhan25]

the owners who had or have horses who ran in The 80's Grand National R.I.P

[@メーメーマシン]

1:39:52

[@gilbert55]

Absolutely

[@MK-lz8vj]

And is it really the horse that "makes a mistake" or the jockey who doesn't ride expertly? Hmm... I'm blaming the jockeys. The jockeys are supposed to have the superior brain. Anyone think that the horses would run this course all on their own, by themselves? Meaning, not running along with the herd. A single horse, all by itself - doubt the horse would even jump one fence....

[@waqarkhan25]

to all those horses who ran in The 80's Grand National from horses who go round to horses n top prize money place's including the winner of The 80's Grand National R.I.P

[@leroyjoseph6896]

waqar khan do you have the grand nationals 1970-1979

[@gilbert55]

I have all nationals from 1970's

[@waqarkhan25]

@@gilbert55 thanks for that

[@MK-lz8vj]

Sad that this race is still being run. Injured and dead horses, all for money and feeling important.

[@32446]

Hope you don’t eat meat. That’s way crueller.