Irish Grand National: A History

The Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse is an Easter Monday tradition like no other on Ireland's sporting landscape.

While the dates for Aintree and Ayr, the other big Nationals in the spring, are interchangeable, Fairyhouse is assured of its spot on the Easter Bank Holiday.

First run in 1870, the Irish Grand National is a treasured event and here's a quick guide to the history of the race.

At home at Fairyhouse

Fairyhouse Racecourse is one of Ireland's premier horse racing venues and it is situated in the parish of Ratoath in Co Meath. It is the home of the BoyleSports Irish Grand National.

The first race meet was held in 1848 and, 22 years later in 1870, the first Irish Grand National steeplechase was held at Fairyhouse.

The inaugural running was won by a horse called Sir Robert Peel and the winner's prize money was 167 sovereigns. The winner in 2025 will pocket a cool €275,000.

The Irish National is not as long as its counterparts at Aintree, Ayr or Chepstow — with the current trip being three miles and five furlongs.

Arkle and Brown Lad amongst historic winners

The most successful horse in the history of the race is Brown Lad, who won three times for trainer Jim Dreaper in 1975, 1976 and 1978.

He's not the most famous winner, however, with 1964 scorer Arkle holding that accolade owing to his status as a true great of National Hunt racing.

He is regarded by many as one of the greatest of all-time and he carried 12st to victory in this race under Pat Taaffe for trainer Tom Dreaper.

His success at Fairyhouse was just one part of a glittering career that included three Cheltenham Gold Cups (1964, 1965, 1966) and victories in the King George VI Chase, Hennessy Gold Cup, and Leopardstown Chase.

Aintree winners aplenty

No horse has managed to win the Aintree and Irish Nationals in the same season, but quite a few have triumphed in both races.

Trained by Tommy Carberry and ridden by his son Paul Carberry, Bobbyjo's 1998 Irish Grand National was to be a precursor for Aintree glory 12 months later. At that time, he became the first Irish-trained winner of the English Grand National in 24 years.

The first to complete the double was Ascetic's Silver, the winner of the latter version in 1906. The feat has been achieved more recently by Rhyme 'n' Reason, Bobbyjo and Numbersixvalverde.

In 2024, the Willie Mullins-trained I Am Maximus added his name to that roll call, winning at Aintree a year after his golden moment at Fairyhouse. He would of course go on and finish second in the defence of his Aintree crown in 2025 behind stablemate Nick Rockett.

Dreaper, Taaffe and Walsh the names that linger

Tom Dreaper remains the most successful trainer in the history of the Irish Grand National. He won the race 10 times with Prince Regent (1942), Shagreen (1949), Royal Approach (1954), Olympia (1960), Fortria (1961), Kerforo (1962), Last Link (1963), Arkle (1964), Splash (1965) and Flyingbolt (1966).

His son, Jim Dreaper, won four times with Brown Lad grabbing three after Colebridge had scored in 1974.

Pat Taaffe is the most successful pilot in the race, winning an incredible six Irish Grand Nationals as he brought Royal Approach (1954), Umm (1955), Zonda (1959), Fortria (1961), Arkle (1964), and Flyingbolt (1966) home in front.

The Walsh family are also synonymous with the race. Ted Walsh trained Commanche Court to win in 2000 with his son, Ruby, in the saddle. The rider would also score on Numbersixvalverde for Martin Brassil in 2005 and Burrows Saint for Willie Mullins in 2019. Completing the family treble, daughter/sister Katie Walsh won in 2015 on board Thunder And Roses for trainer Sandra Hughes.