1917 War Steeplechase Explained

Pagename:1917 War Steeplechase
Horse Race:War Steeplechase
Location:Gatwick Racecourse
Date:21 March 1917
Winning Horse:Ballymacad
Winning Jockey:Edmund Driscoll
Winning Trainer:Aubrey Hastings
Winning Owner:Sir George Bullough
Previous:1916 (unofficial)
Next: 1918 (unofficial)

The 1917 Grand National was cancelled because Aintree Racecourse was taken over by the War Office. However, a substitute race known as the War Steeplechase was held at Gatwick Racecourse. The Gatwick races from 1916 to 1918 are typically omitted from the true Grand National records.

The 1917 War Steeplechase was won by Ballymacad, ridden by jockey Edmund Driscoll and trained by Aubrey Hastings.

Limerock ridden by Bill Smith was clear on the run-in when he collapsed yards from the winning post, similar to Devon Loch in 1956

Finishing Order

data-sort-type="number"PositionNameJockeydata-sort-type="number"AgeHandicap (st-lb)SPDistance
01BallymacadEdmund Driscoll?9-12
02ChangWillie Smith79-9
03Ally SloperIvor Anthony811-10
04VermouthJohn Reardon712-3
?Father ConfessorA Aylin811-7?
?Queen ImaalAlfred Newey?11-3
?Yellow ChatGeorges Parfrement611-0
?Blow PipeEdward Lancaster1210-0?

Non-finishers

FenceNameJockeyAgeHandicap (st-lb)SPFate
?TempledowneyTom Hulme?12-7Fell
?Irish MailErnest Piggott1012-4Pulled Up
?Carrig ParkCharles Hawkins?11-6Fell
Run-InLimerockBill Smith?11-5Fell
?Hackler's BeyCaptain D Rogers1010-10?Fell
?KeniaA Saxby?10-10Fell
?Thowl PinCharles Kelly1210-7??
?CharlburyJoe Dillon910-6?Pulled Up
?Denis AuburnRoger Burford1010-4?Pulled Up
?FargueHarry Brown79-7Fell
?GrithorpeHerbert Smyth?9-7?Fell

[1] [2] [3]

References

http://www.grand-national.net/gatwick.htm

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Aintree 1917 Grand National.
  2. The Grand National 1839-1930 by David Hoadley Munroe
  3. Web site: Grand National Winners - Sportsbook Guardian . 2015-05-27 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131227085539/https://www.sportsbookguardian.com/horse-racing/grand-national/winners . 27 December 2013 .