The first day of the Grand National festival at Aintree saw wind and rain, but crowds topped 28,000, a 22% increase from last year. More than 150,000 racegoers are expected over the three-day event. According to Daily Mail - Home, Jeanette Chinn described the weather as disappointing but said it was still a great day out.
Rachael Blackmore, the first female jockey to win the Grand National in 2021 on Minella Times, was made an official Grand National legend at the festival. Blackmore, who is eight months pregnant, retired from racing in May last year and will serve as a TV pundit for the Grand National on ITV on Saturday. In a press conference, she expressed her honor at being included among Grand National legends and her love for Liverpool and Aintree. In an official statement, she called winning the Grand National an unforgettable moment and said seeing her name on the legends list is a great honor.
I've barely taken my coat off since I got here. It would have been nice to have a bit of sunshine - Wednesday was a beautiful day, it's such a shame we didn't get the weather today but we don't mind. It's still such a great day out.
Blackmore's influence extends to festival features, with a new alcohol-free bar named 'Blackmore's' opening at Aintree. In her official statement, she noted she is looking forward to opening the bar, calling it a cool and different idea. Dickon White, The Jockey Club’s north west regional director, said in an official statement that Blackmore's achievement speaks for itself and the alcohol-free bar offers something different welcomed by racegoers. According to Daily Express - Sport, Blackmore believes an intelligent horse is more important than good jumping for winning the Grand National. According to Daily Mirror - Main, she described the Grand National as having a different feel in the jockeys' weighing room compared to other races, with more excitement and buzz. She also tipped Heart Wood as a contender in the Melling Chase on Friday, according to Daily Mirror - Main (second article).
The Grand National race on Saturday includes 30 fences over two laps, making it the longest horse race in Britain, with 34 declared runners. Around £250 million is expected to be gambled on the event, which is broadcast live to a television audience of around 800 million people worldwide.
It's a brilliant idea, my friends love it. I think it's great if it attracts a new young crowd to racing. I'm just glad they just haven't brought any sand because you don't want that in your shoes. The music is great, it's brilliant to dance in between races.
I Am Maximus, the 2024 champion, is likely to be the favourite for the Grand National on Saturday. The festival takes a relaxed dress code approach, unlike Royal Ascot. According to Daily Mail - Home, Annika Courtney described the alcohol-free bar as a brilliant idea that could attract a new young crowd to racing. According to Daily Mail - Home, Michael Owen described enjoying the festival in recent years after being unable to attend as a player.
I didn't really come as a player because Grand National day was always a playing day and we couldn't be seen out and about. But in the last few years I've been coming quite a bit. I've really enjoyed it.
Rachael's outstanding achievement in the Randox Grand National speaks for itself and it seems only right that she has been made a Grand National Legend at the earliest opportunity. We are also excited by the opening of Blackmore's Bar on the first day of the Randox Grand National Festival. As an alcohol-free space, it's a facility that will offer something different and one that our feedback has shown would be welcomed by a number of our racegoers.