Family Vacation

Aintree race course is one of the most legendary racecourses in the world and is positioned on the A59 at Ormskirk Road, Aintree (Liverpool) in the northern outer edge of Liverpool, just six miles from the metropolitan centre. The race track occupies 250 acres and has two left-handed chasing circuits. The first, the Mildmay Course is rectangular and created in 1953. It is nearly one and a half miles in distance end to end, with sharp corners and steeplechase fences. 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 aim to acquire access to. The
Grand National course is far longer than the Mildmay at almost two and a quarter miles, and is entirely flat, with fences that have a drop on the landing side lower than the take-off side.

William Lynn is the man responsible for bringing gee gees to the parish 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 original 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 original, and was won by Lottery, ridden by Jem Mason. The race of 1839 was a four miler, across country, and the law was that no rider to open a gate or ride through a entryway, or more than 100 yards along any way, bridleway or driftway.

The race track was used during the first world war by the Army, and after the 1940 National it was again requisitioned by the forces. Racing resumed in 1946 and in 1949 the race track was purchased by Messrs Topham Ltd; who had rented the land for about a 100 years; from the Earl of Sefton for 275,000. Mirabel Topham, an creative 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 track 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 track was deemed safe when the Jockey Club purchased it.

Aintree is now more fit for purpose with transport links greatly improved. In the start it could only be reached by rail, but now it is reached by car, coach or air. There is a 6 acre field for landing by copter or the John Lennon airfield 20 minutes drive away, meaning that those both home and abroad can share in the celebrations.