Grand National first jump, suddenly veered across the leading group at the 23rd, causing them to either stop, refuse or unseat their riders. Racing journalist Lord Oaksey described the resulting pile-up by saying that Popham Down had "cut down the leaders like a row of thistles". Some horses even started running in the wrong direction, back the way they had come. Foinavon, whose owner had such little faith in him that he had travelled to Worcester that day instead, had been lagging some 100 yards behind the leading pack, giving his jockey, John Buckingham, time to steer his mount wide of the
1926 Grand National 1926 Grand National The 1926 Grand National was the 85th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 26 March 1926. The steeplechase was won by Jack Horner, a 25/1 bet ridden by jockey Billy Watkinson and trained by Harvey Leader for American owner Charles Schwartz, who had paid 5,000 guineas for him a week beforehand. Schwartz won £5,000 for the victory. Harvey Leader was a brother of Ted Leader and son of Tom Leader. Old Tay Bridge finished in second place for the second successive year, Bright's Boy was