Charlotte Brew almost finished the race, but as she got to the fourth-to-last fence her horse fell and she was unable to fully complete the race. However, she paved the way for female jockeys in this race and the first woman to complete the Grand National was Geraldine Rees in 1982. Since the passing of the Sex Discrimination Act a total of 15 female jockeys have participated in 18 Grand Nationals. Charlotte Brew Charlotte Brew is a British equestrian. She made history in 1977, when she was the first woman to ride in the Grand National, on her horse Barony Fort. Women
1981 Grand National 1981 Grand National The 1981 Grand National was the 135th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 4 April 1981. It is remembered for the winning horse Aldaniti, who had recovered from chronic leg problems, and his jockey Bob Champion, who had recovered from cancer. Aldaniti's injuries dated back to 1976, while Champion had been diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1979. However, Aldaniti was nursed back to optimum form ahead of the race, and Champion overcame lengthy hospitalisation and chemotherapy to win the National by a distance of four lengths.