Aintree race course is one of the most legendary racecourses in the country and is sited on the A59 at Ormskirk Road, Aintree (Liverpool) in the northern outer edge of Liverpool, just six miles from the metropolitan centre. The race course occupies 250 acres and has two left-handed racing circuits. The first, the Mildmay Course is rectangular and opened in 1953. It is nearly one and a half miles in distance end to end, with sharp turns and steeplechase jumps. The Grand National route isn”t as sharp as the Mildmay course but is much more difficult which is why it is known as one of the toughest races in the country – one which all horse owners would hope to acquire access to. The
Grand National course is far longer than the Mildmay at approximately two and a quarter miles, and is entirely flat, with jumps that have a drop on the landing side lower than the take-off side.
William Lynn is the gentleman responsible for bringing gee gees to the village of Aintree. Lynn was the landlord of the Waterloo Hotel, and began gee gees on the land which he rented from the Earl of Sefton. The grandstand started being constructed in 1829 and after 5 months the first gathering for Flat races was held. They didn”t start hurdle racing until 1836, when the first Liverpool Grand Steeplechase was held at Aintree on February 29th. This chase was claimed by some as being the original ever Grand National and was won by The Duke, ridden by Captain Martin Becher. However, the more recognizable Liverpool Steeplechase of 1839 is acknowledged as the first, and was won by Lottery, ridden by Jem Mason. The contest of 1839 was a four miler, across country, and the regulation was that ”no rider to open a gate or ride through a entryway, or more than 100 yards along any way, bridle path or driftway”.
The race course was used during the first world war by the Army, and after the 1940 National it was again requisitioned by the armed forces. Horse racing resumed in 1946 and in 1949 the race course was purchased by Messrs Topham Ltd; who had rented the land for more or less a 100 years; from the Earl of Sefton for 275,000. Mirabel Topham, an enterprising soul, went on to create the Mildmay course and a motor circuit which held the Euro Grand Prix and five United kingdom Grand Prix.
Bill Davies purchased the race course in 1973 for 3 million and in 1975 Ladbrokes saved the Grand National, which was in peril of fading, by supervision and administering it for seven years at a yearly charge of 250,000. In 1983 the race course was deemed safe when the Jockey Club purchased it.
Aintree is now more able for use with vehicle links highly improved. In the beginning it could only be reached by train, but now it is reached by car, coach or air. There is a six acre enclosure for landing by helicopter or the John Lennon airstrip 20 minutes drive away, meaning everyone enjoys the English Grand National festival even more.