1839 Grand National is not supported by any press reports from the time. There was also much criticism in the press over the severity of the event, especially the conduct of Robert Carlin in remounting Dictator when witnesses described the horse as distressed. His cause of death was recorded as a burst blood vessel. Irish Newsletter 1839 Liverpool Mercury 1839 The Times 1839 1839 Grand National The 1839 Grand Liverpool Steeplechase was the first official annual running of a steeplechase which later became known as the Grand National. It was held at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on Tuesday 26 February 1839 and
National Steeplechase Association National Steeplechase Association The National Steeplechase Association is the official sanctioning body of American steeplechase horse racing. The National Steeplechase Association was founded on February 15, 1895 by August Belmont, Jr., the first president of The Jockey Club and chairman of the New York State Racing Commission, along with Alexander Cassatt, John G. Follansbee, H. DeCourcy Forbes, Frederick Gebhard, James O. Green, Samuel S. Howland, Foxhall P. Keene, and Frederick H. Prince. The governing authority for the sport of steeplechase racing, their National Steeplechase Association held, promoted, and documented steeplechase races and events throughout the United States and granted licenses