Irish Grand National: An Underrated National Treasure

The Irish Grand National is one of the most prestigious steeplechase horse racing events in Ireland. Every year on Easter Monday, racing fans head over to Fairyhouse Racecourse to see what action awaits this year… as they have been doing for over a century. 

However, despite the fact that it’s always filled with action and excitement, the sad fact of the matter is that the Irish Grand National is, more often than not, overshadowed by its more famous English counterpart, the Aintree Grand National. 

Still, to the Irish and many other UK racing fans, this race really is a national treasure - that embodies everything we love about the spirit of Irish racing. And it keeps on producing incredible and unforgettable moments year after year.

A Race Into History

This is a race over 150 years old… first being run in 1870, and it wasn’t long before it established itself as one of the main events on the Irish racing calendar. Run over a distance of 3 miles and 5 furlongs and with no less than 24 gruelling sets of fences to navigate, this is a race that demands both stamina and skill from both the horses and the jockeys. Over the years, this has been a race ridden by the very best steeplechasers - and has played a huge part in shaping the careers of some of the sport’s most iconic trainers and jockeys.

Some of the biggest names to have made their name on the Irish stage include Arkle (1964) and Desert Orchid (1990) who are a big part of the race’s history. It’s also helped to launch some of horse racing’s up and coming talents - and lots of Irish Grand National winners have gone on to be successful in some of the UK’s other major races.

Irish Racing Talent

One of the things we love most about the Irish Grand National is the fact that it’s the perfect stage for showing off Irish racing talent. Irish trainers, who are always incredibly successful on the global racing scene, often use this race as a stepping stone as they move towards the big up-and-coming chasers.

Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, and Henry de Bromhead are just some of the legendary trainers who target this race with their most promising young horses. It’s also earned a bit of a reputation for underdog stories, with some of the smaller trainers and lesser-known jockeys having an unexpected moment in the spotlight. And fans know this… with bettors looking for the excitement (and potential) of a longshot winner taking the victory, it all adds even more excitement and unpredictability to the event.

Betting on the Irish Grand National

Like the Aintree Grand National, betting is a huge part of the Irish Grand National experience. Because it’s such an exciting and unpredictable race, trying to pick the winner is no easy task - but that’s one of the reasons punters love it so much. This is a race that can throw out some seriously surprising results, making it great for people who like the thrill of betting on high-odds horses.

When making Irish Grand National bets, reading up on the recent trends and statistics is hugely important. You’d need to look at factors like their previous form, the weight they’re carrying and the experience they have on the course. Because this is one of the biggest events on the Irish racing calendar, you’ll find a massive range of betting markets, from winner bets to each-way bets, trifectas, exactas and more, making it great for all types of punters, from the newbies to the most experienced. 

A Race that Deserves More Recognition

Despite all of this, it still doesn’t get the same level of attention enjoyed by races like the Aintree Grand National and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. One of the reasons is because of the timing of the event - falling between major festivals, it’s sometimes missed completely by more casual racing fans. 

However, it’s never overlooked in Ireland. It really has stood the test of time and for those who are big into horse racing, this is an unmissable event. It has an incredible history, always attracts serious talent - established and emerging, and can throw out surprises like nothing else.