Grand National
Shades Of Victory: The Rare Triumphs of Grey Horses In The Grand National
Within the whirlwind of colour that defines the Aintree turf, the sight of a grey horse contesting the Grand National has always captured the imagination of both casual and hardcore racing fans.
Decades have passed between their wins, heightening the mystique each time a grey flashes first across the finishing post. William Hill has chronicled these chapters, marking each as a rare disruption in the race’s storied lineage.
From the Victorian era’s rolling fog to the electric anticipation of modern Aintree, grey horses have played a uniquely dramatic role in Grand National folklore. Their victories are not just statistical quirks but legendary landmarks – so rare that each echoes through generations of racing enthusiasts.
This article illuminates the full record of grey horses in the National, exploring the long droughts, the near-misses, and the extraordinary moments when a grey turned Aintree silver.
The Grey Horse Roll of Honour: Who Has Won the Grand National?
Grey runners at Aintree have always been outnumbered, yet their occasional triumphs are unforgettable. Only three grey horses have ever won the Grand National, with just four wins since the race began in 1839:
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The Lamb (1868, 1871): A Victorian phenomenon and the only grey to win the Grand National twice, The Lamb’s name became synonymous with racing legend in the late nineteenth century.
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Nicolaus Silver (1961): After a 90-year wait, this 20th-century standout shattered the notion that greys were cursed, becoming a household name overnight.
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Neptune Collonges (2012): Entering as a 33/1 outsider, Neptune Collonges broke a 51-year drought, clinching victory by a nose and cementing his place in Aintree history.
Near Misses and Grey Runners in the Spotlight
While the record of grey horses in the Grand National is modest, many have danced on the edge of glory. Suny Bay finished second in both 1997 and 1998, while What’s Up Boys (2002) and King Johns Castle (2008) each crossed the line as runner-up.
Recent years have seen notable grey runners such as Vintage Clouds, Lake View Lad, and Baie Des Iles contend, their very presence igniting hopes for another historic upset.
Why So Few? The Grey Horse Conundrum
The scarcity of grey winners at Aintree owes partly to the rarity of grey thoroughbreds in the National Hunt sphere. With fewer grey runners entered, their victories become even more precious, their names living on in National annals while others remain tantalisingly close.
The Record Endures: Will Another Grey Join the Pantheon?
Each spring, as the National field assembles, the presence of a grey stirs memories of The Lamb, Nicolaus Silver, and Neptune Collonges.
With odds as unpredictable as the weather over Merseyside, the anticipation persists: perhaps one day, a fifth grey will write a new chapter in this extraordinary tale.
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Safer Gambling: The Grand National is a form of entertainment and should be enjoyed responsibly. For advice and support on safer gambling, visit www.begambleaware.org or call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.
