Aintree Racecourse: Complete Guide

Every April, 70,000 people descend on a piece of Merseyside farmland for nine minutes of sporting drama. The Grand National at Aintree isn’t just a horse race. It’s a cultural institution. A national obsession. The one day when everyone from your grandmother to your office colleague has a bet and knows the name of at least one horse.

But Aintree is more than one famous Saturday in April. Britain’s most iconic jumps racing venue is home to legendary fences like Becher’s Brook and The Chair. The place where Red Rum made history. A course that’s survived wars, near-demolition, and financial crises to become one of the finest racecourses in the world.

Whether you’re planning your first visit, researching for the big race, or want to understand what makes Aintree special, this is your complete guide. Everything you need to know about the courses, the fences, the races, the facilities, and the experience.

What Is Aintree Racecourse?

Location & How to Get There

Aintree is ridiculously easy to reach. Whether you’re coming from Liverpool, Manchester, London, or beyond, you’ve got options.

By Train (Recommended)

The best way to reach the course. Aintree station sits directly beside the racecourse entrance. You step off the train and you’re literally at the gates.

Merseyrail Northern Line runs from Liverpool Central to Aintree. Journey time: 15 minutes. The trains stop at Liverpool Moorfields as well if you’re staying in that area.

On race days, Merseyrail runs special services. Trains come every 7-8 minutes between 11am and 1pm. After racing, they run frequent services back to Liverpool until everyone’s cleared out.

Ticket price: Around £3-5 for a single journey. You can buy tickets at the station or use contactless payment.

Aintree Tradition: Merseyrail staff hand out free flip-flops at the station at the end of race days. For everyone who’s been standing in heels for seven hours, those flip-flops are a godsend. Part of the racing experience.

From other cities:

• London: Train to Liverpool Lime Street (2 hours), then Merseyrail to Aintree (15 minutes)
• Manchester: Train to Liverpool Central (45 minutes), then Merseyrail to Aintree (15 minutes)
• Birmingham: Train to Liverpool Lime Street (1.5 hours), then Merseyrail to Aintree (15 minutes)

By Car

Aintree is just off the M57 and M58 motorways. From the M6, take Junction 26 onto the M58, then follow signs to Aintree.

Parking is available at the racecourse. Critical detail: you must pre-book parking online for major race days. Especially the Grand National Festival. Don’t turn up expecting to find a space without booking. It won’t happen.

For quieter fixtures throughout the season, parking is more relaxed. But for April? Book weeks in advance.

Blue Badge holders have dedicated parking areas. These also need pre-booking.

By Bus

Stagecoach Route 20 runs from Queen Square Bus Station in Liverpool city centre to near Aintree (Sixth Avenue stop). Journey time: about 30 minutes. Buses run every 10-20 minutes. Ticket cost: around £2-4.

During the Festival, special 922 shuttle buses run directly from Liverpool city centre (Elliot Street) to the racecourse. These make getting there even easier on the big days.

By Taxi or Uber

From Liverpool city centre, expect to pay £10-20 for a taxi or Uber. Journey time depends on traffic. On race days, roads get busy. Allow extra time.

By Air

Liverpool John Lennon Airport is 17 miles from Aintree (roughly 30 minutes by car). You can get a train from Liverpool South Parkway station near the airport to Liverpool Central, then Merseyrail to Aintree.

Manchester Airport is about 45 miles away (roughly one hour). Train to Liverpool Central, then Merseyrail to Aintree.

Both airports have good connections to Liverpool.

For a detailed breakdown of what a typical race day feels like from arrival to departure, including atmosphere and insider tips, read our Visiting Aintree: What to Expect guide.

Nearby Accommodation

The Stables Inn Aintree, is 0.3 miles from the racecourse – perfect walking distance. There are numerous hotels in Liverpool city centre, just 15 minutes away by train. For Grand National weekend, book accommodation months in advance. Everything fills up.

A Brief History

Aintree’s story begins with ambition and gambling – fitting for a racecourse.

In 1829, William Lynn, a Liverpool hotel owner, leased land from the Earl of Sefton. He wanted to create a racecourse. On 7 July 1829, the first race meeting took place. Flat racing initially. The jumps came later.

In 1836, Lynn organised the Liverpool Grand Steeplechase. Successful. Three years later, in 1839, the first official Grand National was run. A horse called Lottery won. Fifty thousand spectators attended. The race had arrived.

Through the Victorian era, Aintree thrived. The Grand National grew in stature. Railways brought crowds from across the country. The race became a national event.

World War I interrupted racing. In 1916-1918, substitute races were held at Gatwick. The real race needed Aintree. When peace came, racing returned.

World War Two brought another hiatus. The 1940 race ran, then the course closed. The War Office requisitioned Aintree. American servicemen were stationed there. The course became a storage depot.

Racing resumed in 1946. The crowds flooded back. The 1950s and 1960s became golden years. Aintree even hosted the British Grand Prix from 1954-1964 – Formula One cars racing on a circuit built around the racecourse.

Then came the crisis.

In 1964, Mirabel Topham, who ran Aintree, announced plans to sell to property developers. The racecourse would become housing estates. The race would die. Panic spread through British racing.

Legal battles followed. Lord Sefton fought to protect the land. But eventually, in 1973, property developer William Davies bought Aintree for £3 million. The course teetered on the edge of closure.

During these dark years, Red Rum saved Aintree. Between 1973 and 1977, he won three times and finished second twice. His popularity reminded Britain why the race mattered. Public pressure grew to save the course.

In 1983, the Jockey Club finally bought Aintree. The racecourse was rescued. Investment began immediately. New grandstands. Modern facilities. The course was reborn.

Today, Aintree is one of Britain’s finest racing venues. The 2007 Earl of Derby and Lord Sefton stands brought award-winning architecture. The 2008 £30 million grandstand transformed facilities. The fences were upgraded in 2013 with plastic cores for safety, whilst maintaining their challenge.

Aintree survived wars, financial crises, and near-demolition. Nearly 200 years after William Lynn’s gamble, it’s still here. Still hosting the race. Still making legends.

For the full story – including Red Rum’s heroics, the 1967 Foinavon chaos, and how Liverpool saved its racecourse – see our complete History of Aintree Racecourse.

The Three Courses Explained

Aintree has three distinct racing circuits. Each has its own character. Understanding them helps you appreciate the racing.

The National Course

What everyone comes to see.

The National Course is a left-handed triangular circuit measuring roughly 2.25 miles around. The longest circuit in British racing. The shape matters. Long straights. Gradual turns. No sharp bends to slow horses down or disrupt rhythm.

What makes this course unique? The 16 fences. They’re topped with spruce brought from the Lake District. The only course in Britain using spruce rather than traditional birch. The spruce is denser. More forgiving when horses brush through the top. But still formidable.

In 2012-2013, the fences were rebuilt with plastic cores instead of timber. Controversial. Purists worried it would ruin the character. But the fences remain 4ft 6in to 5ft 2in high. Still densely packed with spruce. Horses still need to jump them properly. The change improved safety without compromising the test.

Building these fences is a massive operation. Takes the ground staff three weeks. They use 16 lorry-loads of spruce. Each fence is carefully constructed to maintain consistency whilst preserving the unique characteristics of famous obstacles like Becher’s Brook and The Chair.

The Grand National runs over this course. The race covers 4 miles 2½ furlongs. Horses jump 30 fences – 16 different obstacles, with 14 of them jumped twice. The longest National Hunt race in Britain.

The course is essentially flat. No significant hills. Not Cheltenham with its demanding uphill finish. But don’t mistake flat for easy. The sheer distance tests stamina. The fences demand precision. And that 494-yard run-in from the final fence to the winning post is brutal. Tired horses face nearly 500 yards with nothing left to jump, nowhere to hide. Pure stamina wins here.

The National Course hosts just a handful of races each year:

• The Grand National (April)
• Topham Handicap Chase (April, Ladies Day)
• Becher Chase (December)
• Grand Sefton Handicap Chase (December)
• Fox Hunters’ Chase (April)

Every race over these fences is special. Everyone demands respect.

The Mildmay Course

The Mildmay Course sits inside the National Course. A left-handed oval measuring just under 1.5 miles around. The fences here are traditional birch – what you’d find at Cheltenham, Sandown, or any other British jumps course.

This track is sharper in character than the National Course. Tighter bends. Requires handiness as well as stamina. Horses need to be agile.

The Mildmay Course was added in 1953. Named after Lord Mildmay, a distinguished amateur rider who nearly won the 1936 Grand National. The course gave Aintree flexibility. Quality racing could happen year-round, not just during the big meeting.

The Mildmay hosts Aintree’s other major races:

• Bowl Chase (Grade 1, 3m 1f)
• Melling Chase (Grade 1, 2m 4f)
• Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m 4f)
• Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1, 3m 149y)
• Red Rum Handicap Chase (3m 1f) – a competitive staying chase named in honour of Aintree’s greatest legend

These are championship-level contests. The best horses in training compete here. Despite being overshadowed by April’s showpiece, the Mildmay Course racing is top-class.

The Hurdles Course

Aintree also has a separate course specifically for hurdle races. Uses different ground and angles from the chase courses. This helps preserve the main tracks and gives horses variety throughout the season.

The hurdles course isn’t as famous as the National or Mildmay circuits. But it serves an important function. Quality hurdle races run here throughout the season, including the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle during the Festival.

The 16 Famous Fences: A Complete Guide

The fences define Aintree. Spruce-topped obstacles that test horses and jockeys like nowhere else in racing.

The Opening Fences (1-5)

Fence 1 & 17 (4ft 6in) is where every Grand National begins. Forty horses thundering towards a 4ft 6in obstacle with 29 more fences still to come. Get it wrong here and your race is over before it’s started. Jumped twice – at the first fence and the 17th. By the second circuit, tired legs and tired minds make mistakes more likely.

Fence 2 & 18 (4ft 6in) is another regulation fence. Horses are still bunched together. Still jostling for position. Falls here are common simply because of the traffic.

Fence 3 & 19 (4ft 10in, open ditch 6ft wide) brings the first open ditch. The 6-foot ditch on the take-off side makes this fence more imposing. Horses need to stand off and jump big. Those who get too close struggle.

Fence 4 & 20 and Fence 5 & 21 (both 4ft 10in) are regulation fences at increased height. Horses are finding their rhythm now. Or they’re not. These fences sort them out before the real drama begins.

Becher’s Brook (Fence 6 & 22)

Height: 4ft 10in
Character: Significant landing-side drop (6-10 inches)

The most famous fence in horse racing.

Becher’s Brook is named after Captain Martin Becher. In the first official Grand National in 1839, he fell here and sheltered in the brook whilst other horses jumped over him. Legend has it that whilst submerged, he remarked that he’d never realised “water tasted so filthy without whisky in it.”

The fence itself stands 4ft 10in. Not the highest on the course. But the landing side drops away 6 to 10 inches lower than the take-off side. Horses can’t see this drop until they’re committed to the jump. The surprise element catches them out.

When a horse lands, the drop can unbalance it. Jockeys get thrown forward. Some manage to recover. Others don’t. Becher’s Brook has ended countless dreams.

The brook no longer contains water. But the name stuck. And so did the legend.

Becher’s comes early – fence 6 on the first circuit, fence 22 on the second. By the time horses tackle it the second time, they’ve already jumped 21 fences. Tired legs meet Aintree’s most infamous obstacle. That’s when drama happens.

Foinavon (Fence 7 & 23)

Height: 4ft 6in (smallest fence on course)

The smallest fence. Just 4ft 6in. And yet it’s famous for one of racing’s greatest stories.

In 1967, a loose horse caused chaos at this fence. The entire field stopped. Horses refused. Jockeys fell. Seventeen riders remounted. Meanwhile, Foinavon – a 100/1 outsider running 22nd – was so far behind he had time to see the pile-up and go around it. He won by 15 lengths.

In 1984, the fence was officially renamed Foinavon. The smallest obstacle on the course. Immortalised by the most improbable victory.

Canal Turn (Fence 8 & 24)

Height: 4ft 10in
Character: Immediate 90-degree left turn after landing

The Canal Turn is unique. Horses jump the fence, then immediately turn 90 degrees left. Named after the Leeds-Liverpool Canal running alongside the course.

The turn is so sharp that jockeys jump at an angle from the outside to save ground. Get it wrong and you either lose crucial lengths or end up in the fence. Some horses refuse to turn. Others turn but lose momentum. The Canal Turn rewards horsemanship.

Valentine’s Brook (Fence 9 & 25)

Height: 4ft 10in
Character: Slight landing-side drop

Aintree’s second brook. Not as famous as Becher’s. But still dangerous. Named after a horse called Valentine, who allegedly jumped it perfectly and gained significant ground during an 1840 race.

The landing-side drop isn’t as pronounced as Becher’s. But it’s still there. Horses need to respect this fence.

The Home Straight Fences (10-14)

Fences 10-14 see horses swinging back towards the stands. These include two open ditches (Fence 11 & 27) and several regulation fences. By this point in the first circuit, the field has spread out. Horses have found their rhythm, or they’re already out.

Fence 12 sits near the stands. The crowd noise builds. Seventy thousand people are roaring. Some horses thrive on it. Others get distracted.

The Chair (Fence 15)

Height: 5ft 2in (highest fence)
Character: 5ft open ditch, landing side 15cm higher than take-off

Aintree’s signature fence.

The Chair stands 5ft 2in tall. Has a 5-foot open ditch on the take-off side. The landing side sits 15 centimetres higher than the take-off. Horses need an 11-foot spread to clear it safely.

Named after the chair where the distance judge sat during 19th-century heats. Positioned directly in front of the stands. Thousands watch from metres away as horses tackle this monster.

The Chair is jumped only once per circuit. The 15th fence – the final obstacle before horses sweep past the stands to begin their second lap. By this point, horses have already jumped 14 fences. Tired legs meet the biggest fence. That’s when it claims victims.

Spectacular to watch. Brutal to jump. The Chair is Aintree at its most demanding.

The Water Jump (Fence 16)

Height: 2ft 6in (smallest fence)
Character: Water jump (12ft wide)

The Water Jump sits in front of the stands. Just 2ft 6in tall. But the water spread measures 12 feet. Horses need to jump big to clear it.

Jumped only once per race – at the end of the first circuit after horses have tackled The Chair. A crowd-pleaser. Right in front of the stands. Spectacular when horses clear it. Dramatic when they don’t.

After the Water Jump, horses begin their second circuit. Fourteen fences down. Sixteen to go.

Racing Calendar & When to Visit

Aintree races from October through to May. Around 18-20 race days per year. The season builds towards the three-day Grand National Festival in April.

October: Season Opener

Old Roan Chase Meeting

The season typically begins with the Old Roan Chase fixture in October. This Grade 2 contest over 2m 5f is an early-season indicator for top staying chasers. Named after Old Roan, who won back-to-back Grand Nationals in 1903 and 1904.

The October meeting gives horses their first run of the season. A chance to blow away the cobwebs before winter campaigns begin.

November: Autumn Racing

November usually features one or two fixtures. Quality racing but modest crowds compared to the Festival. Good atmosphere without the chaos.

December: Becher Chase Meeting

The December fixture is the highlight of Aintree’s winter season.

The Becher Chase (Grade 3, 3m 2f) runs over the National fences. A proper test. Many horses use it as a trial for April. The race has been won by Grand National winners and placed horses. Shows which horses can handle Aintree’s unique obstacles.

The Grand Sefton Handicap Chase (Listed, 2m 5f) also features. Another competitive handicap over a proper trip.

December at Aintree offers exceptional racing for those who love the National fences without the Festival crowds.

January & February: Winter Fixtures

Weather-dependent fixtures run through winter. If the ground is fit, racing happens. These meetings are quieter. Smaller crowds. But the quality remains high.

March: Spring Build-Up

As spring arrives, Aintree hosts fixtures that see horses tuning up for the Festival. The racing improves. The anticipation builds.

April: The Grand National Festival

What everyone’s here for.

Three days. Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Around 150,000 people are attending the Festival. Quality racing from start to finish.

We’ll cover the Festival in detail in the next section.

May: Season Finale

The season typically ends with a May fixture. One last chance for horses to secure prize money before the summer break.

Best Time to Visit

• For the full Aintree experience: Grand National Festival in April. Nothing matches it.
• For quality racing without chaos: December’s Becher Chase meeting. Watch horses tackle the National fences without 70,000 people.
• For a quieter day out: October or May fixtures. Smaller crowds, good racing, relaxed atmosphere.
• For serious racing fans: Grand National Thursday. Four Grade 1 races. Top-class action without Saturday’s mayhem.

The Major Races at Aintree

Aintree hosts championship-level racing throughout the season. The races that matter.

The Randox Grand National

This is why Aintree exists.

The most valuable jump race in Europe. The most famous steeplechase in the world. Approximately 10 million people in the UK watch it. Around 500 million globally.

Forty horses typically start. A handicap, so every horse carries a different weight. The handicapper tries to give them all an equal chance. In theory, any horse could win. In practice, you need stamina, jumping ability, and luck.

The race covers 4 miles 2½ furlongs. Horses jump 30 fences. The long run-in from the final fence tests exhausted horses to breaking point. Get over the last and you’ve still got 494 yards to run. Tired legs. Tired lungs. Pure guts required.

What type of horse wins? Horses that stay. Horses that jump. Horses that handle unique fences. Horses with proven form over at least 3 miles. Horses carrying weights between 10st and 11st 10lb typically have the best chance – anything below or above struggles.

Famous winners include:

• Red Rum (1973, 1974, 1977) – Only three-time winner
• Tiger Roll (2018, 2019) – Back-to-back victories
• Many Clouds (2015) – Broke the 9-minute barrier since Mr Frisk
• Minella Times (2021) – Rachael Blackmore became the first female winning jockey
• Noble Yeats (2022) – Youngest winning horse at 7 years old

Five horses have won at 100/1: Tipperary Tim (1928), Gregalach (1929), Caughoo (1947), Foinavon (1967), and Mon Mome (2009). That’s the beauty of it. On this course, with these fences, anything can happen.

For comprehensive race analysis, form guides, betting strategies, and everything about the 2026 Grand National, read our Grand National at Aintree: Complete Race Guide.

Grand National Festival: Three Days of Racing

The Grand National Festival runs over three days in April. Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Around 150,000 people attend over the weekend. What each day offers.

Thursday: Opening Day

Attendance: ~33,000
Feature Races: Bowl Chase, Melling Chase, Aintree Hurdle, Foxhunters’ Chase
Atmosphere: Serious racing fans, quality action
Ticket Prices: Cheapest of the three days

Thursday is the connoisseur’s day. Four Grade 1 races. Championship-level racing from start to finish. No hype around the big race. Just exceptional jumps racing.

Friday: Ladies Day

Attendance: ~45,000
Feature Race: Topham Handicap Chase (over National fences)
Atmosphere: Fashion focus, Style Awards, #FabulousFriday
Ticket Prices: Mid-range

Friday is when Liverpool takes over Aintree. Ladies Day is famous for fashion. The Style Awards offer prizes worth thousands. River Island is the official style partner. Fashion ambassadors mingle with crowds looking for standout outfits. The competition is fierce, with categories for Best Dressed Lady, Best Dressed Gentleman, Best Dressed Couple, and Best Group.

For complete coverage of what to wear, how to enter the Style Awards, Liverpool fashion trends, and everything about Ladies Day, see our Aintree Ladies Day Guide.

Saturday: Grand National Day

Attendance: ~70,000
Feature Race: The Grand National (4pm)
Atmosphere: Electric, packed, iconic
Ticket Prices: Most expensive

This is it. The big one. Seventy thousand people pack into Aintree. The roar when the tapes go up at 4pm can be heard across Merseyside. For nine minutes, the nation stops. Pubs go quiet. Offices huddle around screens. Ten million people in the UK watch. Five hundred million globally.

Enclosures: Where to Sit at Aintree

Aintree has multiple enclosures. Each offers different views, facilities, and experiences.

Festival Zone / Tattersalls

Typical Price: £45-55
Dress Code: Smart-casual
Who It’s For: Most people – best value, outstanding atmosphere

The Festival Zone (also called Tattersalls) is where most racegoers go. The main general admission area. You get access to excellent facilities without paying premium prices.

Steeplechase Enclosure

Typical Price: £45-55
Dress Code: Relaxed (officially welcomes casual dress)
Availability: Grand National Day only
Who It’s For: People who want to see horses jump the famous fences up close

The Steeplechase Enclosure only opens on Grand National Saturday. Positioned on the far side of the course where the famous fences are. You’re right there when horses jump Becher’s Brook.

Princess Royal Stand

Typical Price: £105-150
Dress Code: Smart (21+ only)
Who It’s For: Premium experience without full hospitality prices

The Princess Royal Stand offers premium facilities at prices below full hospitality. You get reserved seating or roof terrace access. Views from here are outstanding – you’re positioned between The Chair and the Water Jump.

Facilities & Amenities

Aintree provides comprehensive facilities across the racecourse.

Food Options

Street Food Vendors positioned throughout the course offer pizza, burgers, fish and chips, curries, hog roasts, and more. Prices are festival pricing – expect £8-15 for main dishes.

BOXPARK: New addition hosting up to 2,000 people. Container-style venue featuring DJs and street food vendors, including Yoki Social Table Korean BBQ, Rock n Rogue, Filthy Fries, and ChicNWings. Think of it as an outdoor food hall with music and atmosphere – converted shipping containers transformed into food outlets and bars, creating a lively social space particularly popular with younger racegoers.

Early Arrival Discount: First hour after gates open: 20% off all food and drink across the site. Arrive early, beat crowds, save money.

Bars & Drink

Bars are positioned throughout every enclosure. Major bars include the Irish Bar (Festival Zone), Champagne Lounges (Premium enclosures), Red Rum Garden Bar, and Aintree Pavilion. Prices: Pints around £6-7, Wine from £7 per glass, Prosecco £8-10 per glass.

Betting Facilities

On-Course Bookmakers line the betting ring – traditional bookies displaying odds on boards. Multiple Tote windows offer pool betting. Most people now bet on phones using betting apps. The course has a strong mobile signal.

Important: There are NO ATMs on the course. Sort cash out beforehand if you need it. Aintree is largely cashless – most outlets accept cards and contactless payment.

Tickets & Pricing

Where to Buy

Official Website: www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/aintree – The only place to guarantee legitimate tickets.

Phone: 0344 579 3001 (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm)

Pricing by Enclosure

Grand National Festival – Thursday (Opening Day):

• Festival Zone: £40-45
• County/Queen Mother Stands: £55-65
• Princess Royal: £85-95

Friday (Ladies Day):

• Festival Zone: £50-55
• County/Queen Mother: £70-75
• Princess Royal: £100-110

Saturday (Grand National Day):

• Steeplechase Enclosure: £45-55
• Festival Zone: £50-60
• Princess Royal: £105-150

Hospitality packages: £500-1,500+ depending on package

Book early. Saturday sells out. Friday near-sells out. Even Thursday gets busy. Tickets go on sale 6-8 months before the event (usually September/October for April Festival).

For a complete breakdown of tickets, transport options, parking, and what to expect on race day, see our Visiting Aintree: What to Expect guide.

Special Offers

• Under-18s: Free at most Jockey Club race days when accompanied by an adult. Does not apply to the Grand National Festival.
• RacePass: 18-24 year olds get up to 50% off admission at participating fixtures.

↑ Back to Top

Accessibility & Family Information

Disabled Access & Facilities

• Blue Badge Parking: Dedicated parking areas (must be pre-booked)
• Wheelchair Access: All public areas are wheelchair-accessible
• Lifts: Princess Royal and Queen Mother Stands
• Accessible Toilets: Radar key accessible toilets throughout
• Golf Buggy Service: Available for mobility issues
• Racemakers Team: Dedicated accessibility team

Contact: accessibility@thejockeyclub.co.uk or 0344 579 3001

Family Information

• Children’s Admission: Under-18s free at most fixtures (not Festival)
• Best Enclosures: Festival Zone/Tattersalls, Steeplechase Enclosure
• Recommended Ages: Older children (10+) generally enjoy it more
• Facilities: Baby changing, family toilets available

What to Wear to Aintree

Official Dress Code

There isn’t one. In 2023, the Jockey Club removed formal dress codes to make racing “accessible and inclusive.” You can technically wear what you like. But here’s reality:

What People Actually Wear

• Festival Zone: Smart-casual is the norm
• Grand National Festival: People dress up – suits and dresses are common
• Ladies Day: Glamorous dresses, statement hats, full effort
• Princess Royal Stand: Smart expected (no jeans, no trainers)
• Steeplechase Enclosure: Explicitly relaxed (jeans and trainers fine)

What NOT to Wear: Sports kits and football shirts are BANNED. Security will refuse entry. No football colours allowed.

Weather Considerations

April in Liverpool = unpredictable. Layers are essential. You might get sunshine or sideways rain (often both on the same day).

For detailed Ladies Day fashion advice, Style Awards entry tips, and what Liverpool style really means, see our complete Ladies Day at Aintree Guide.

↑ Back to Top

Records, Legends & Statistics

Course Records

Fastest Grand National Time: Mr Frisk – 8 minutes 47.8 seconds (1990). This record has stood for over 30 years.

Grand National Winners

Most Wins: Red Rum – 3 wins (1973, 1974, 1977). Only horse in history to win three times. Also finished second in 1975 and 1976. The record will likely never be matched.

Back-to-Back Winners:

• Red Rum (1973-74)
• Reynoldstown (1935-36)
• Tiger Roll (2018-19)

Red Rum’s Legacy

No discussion of Aintree is complete without Red Rum.

He carried 12 stone to victory in 1974 – the heaviest weight in modern history. Twenty-one days later, he won the Scottish Grand National. Only horse to win both Nationals in the same season.

Red Rum had pedal osteitis – an incurable bone disease in his hoof. He was lame when Ginger McCain bought him. McCain trained him on Southport beach. The salt water helped manage the condition. Against all odds, Red Rum became the greatest Grand National horse ever.

He’s buried at the Aintree winning post. A statue stands in the Red Rum Garden. “The Red Rum” bar carries his name. His legacy permeates Aintree.

For the complete Red Rum story – his problematic feet, Ginger McCain’s beach training, all five legendary races, and why he saved Aintree during its darkest hour – read our Red Rum: The Legend of Aintree article.

Tony McCoy’s Assessment

According to twenty-time champion jockey Tony McCoy, “Red Rum’s feats, of three Nationals and two seconds, are legendary. They will never be equalled, let alone surpassed. They say records are there to be broken, but Red Rum’s at Aintree is one which will stand the test of time.”

Forty-seven years later, no horse has won three times. Red Rum’s record stands.

Your Aintree Experience Awaits

Aintree Racecourse is more than a venue. A piece of British sporting history. Nearly 200 years of racing heritage. Legendary fences that have tested the greatest horses. Champions made and broken over spruce and Merseyside turf.

Whether you’re planning for the Festival, visiting for a quieter fixture, or just researching Britain’s most iconic jumps venue, Aintree delivers.

The racing is world-class. The facilities are modern. The atmosphere – especially during the three-day April Festival – is electric. From Red Rum to Tiger Roll, from Becher’s Brook to The Chair, from that 494-yard run-in to the roar when the tapes go up, Aintree creates moments you’ll never forget.

Plan your visit. Book your tickets. Experience Aintree.

British racing at its most iconic.

↑ Back to Top