Ballabriggs wins Grand National in a day of drama at Aintree
By Daily Mail ReporterLast updated at 6:08 PM on 9th April 2011
Ballabriggs won the John Smith's Grand National in front of a sell-out crowd at Aintree, for the 164th race bathed in sunshine.
Riding for Donald McCain, son of Aintree legend Ginger McCain, the trainer of Red Rum, Jason Maguire's horse, a 14-1 chance, won the world's greatest steeplechase by two and a quarter lengths.
The jockey said: ' It's a dream come true. He loved it.'
Close up: Horses attempting the notoriously difficult Becher's Brook at the Grand National
It is worth a record £950,000 in prize money, making it the richest jump race in Europe - while bookmakers William Hill expected over £250 million to be gambled today.
Racing pundit John McCririck said: 'The eyes of the world will be on Aintree.
'The very name of the race is known all around the world, everyone has heard of the Grand National.
'We love the Gold Cup and the King George but nothing has the resonance of Aintree and the Grand National race.
'As ever with the Grand National Festival, the fashion stakes were almost as important as the action on the track for the female racegoers.
Coleen Rooney, wife of England footballer Wayne, led the fashion pack, but the warm sunshine put the style of Liverpool on parade - albeit if one man decided to dress as a nun.
However, for some the race provided a opportunity to protest.
Animal rights campaigners, many waving placards, claimed up to 400 horses are killed annually on English race tracks. Sadly, there were two fatalities in today's race, outsiders Ornais and Dooneys Gate.
Tony Moore, chairman of Fight Against Animal Cruelty in Europe (Faace), said he expected around 30 supporters to join him throughout the day.
He said: 'We are trying to educate the public about the real facts behind horse racing.
'The fact is that at least 400 horses are killed each year in horse racing, it's a figure which is hidden away and swept under the carpet.
'When you include the horse-racing breeding stock, the number rises to 5,000 being killed each year because they are injured or unwanted.
'It's a very sad thing and we just want to let people know what is happening and make them think.'
Mr Moore said he hoped horse racing will be banned one day and branded National Hunt races 'particularly cruel'.
'There is no way you can make the Grand National safe for horses. If you make the fences lower, then the racing becomes faster,' he added.
'There are too many horses racing to start with. It's like a cavalry charge in that respect.
'The whole thing about horse racing and the Grand National is that horses will die.
'They are putting animals into dangerous situations that they can't get out of.'
