Tomorrow's Grand National is possibly the most important fixture of 2012 in the horse racing calendar. Here's a look at some of the records set at this prestigious race over the years.

The Grand National has been one of the premiere events in both British and world horse racing since 1839, a handicap steeplechase run over a 4 mile, 856 yard distance, with challenging thirty fences to jump along the way.

The course at Aintree, near Liverpool, has a reputation as one of the ultimate tests of both horse and jockey, with most failing to complete the required two circuits.

The course record was set in 1990, with Mr Frisk finishing in a time of 8 minutes, 47.8 seconds.

Many horses and jockeys take on the race multiple times during their careers - Manifesto (foaled 1888) ran a record eight times (1895-1904), with wins in 1897 and 1899.

More recently though, the most wins by a horse is Red Rum (foaled 1965), winning a record three times, in 1973, 1974, and 1977, while finishing in second place in 1975 and 1976.

Watch Red Rum's dramatic triumph in the 1973 Grand National in the clip below.


The most wins by a jockey is five, by George Stevens who rode Freetrader (1856), Emblem (1863), Emblematic (1864), and The Colonel (1869, 1870).

The race is not often won by the favourite, and on five occasions has been won by a 100/1 outsider (starting price). The horses sharing the record for longest odds winner of the Grand National are Tipperary Tim (1928), Gregalach (1929), Caughoo (1947), Foinavon (1967) and Mon Mome (pictured above, 2009).

Possible long-shots challenging this record in tomorrow's race include In Compliance, Neptune Equester, and Postmaster.

The first female jockey to ride in the race was Charlotte Brew on Barony Fort, in 1977 - although she did not finish the race, with the horse refusing at the 26th fence. Geraldine Rees became the first to complete the course in 1982.

Nina Carberry will ride Organisedconfusion in tomorrow's race, her 4th appearance at the race - could she become the first ever female jockey to win the Grand National? You'll have to watch tomorrow to find out!