Grand National 1987

[MYBIGKINDHEART]

What a great horse that 3rd finisher was, i thought he was going to win it

so sad to see some of them get hurt or killed though

i hate this race, i still say 40 horses is way too many, there should be no more than possibly about 25 max

[malcs0]

Dark Ivy was baulked at Bechers. Attitude Adjustor's rider, Nial Madden steered his horse right into the middle of the track to enable his horse to go across Bechers at an angle. I'm not too sure he realised what had happened. However, his horse veers across Dark Ivy and another horse just as they are about to jump the fence. Dark Ivy ended up as the meat in a sandwich, and had nowhere to go. I always wondered whether the stewards should have asked Nial Madden to explain his actions.

[741986paulallen]

Was The Tsarevitch owned by Jim Joel as well??

[josietrott]

So funny - this national was won by a riderless horse! Nobody can say horses don't like racing when there are so many loose horses who just keeping running the race!

[hamhuntley]

I was at this National !!! Yeah terrible fall by Dark Ivy..........I think there was at least another horses killed too that day............they now have smaller and safer fences.

[looking4ferdy]

@hamhuntley Smaller and safer?? Yet another 2 died this year. :-(

[comeonshaymen]

Please stop making bad comments about Attitude Adjuster!!!!! Hes still only a horse, and obviuosly didnt mean to kill Dark Ivy

RIP Dark Ivy

[mattkris2007]

The horse with no rider, who actually came first, shows that you don't need to smack the crap out of a horse to make it run fast. I know it had no jockey and so was lighter, but I thing its high time the whip was banned

[MrScoop77]

@mattkris2007 I think most horses would win the Grand National carrying 9 stone less than everything else.  Not saying I disagree with you about the whip though...

[mattkris2007]

Now I'm not the biggest racing fan, and probably shouldn't have searched for this, but this is the reason I really don't like, or see the point in, the Grand National. Having a course so demanding that a horse dies on or after a jump is disgusting. Its high time that the course was shortened and the jumps made smaller.

[comeonshaymen]

@mattkris2007 unfortunately, horses die in other races too. As Ginger McCain said, "You dont make things better by making it easier. No matter how safe you make the M1, there will always be accidents, its the same with the National"

[SuperTruth77]

Recently I took part in a counselling programme for male professional jockeys in the UK.

Many talked of the profound rage felt at their career success being dictated by ‘rides’ under them, & how bizarre and brutal mutilation fantasies constantly plagued their minds. Horses & women were being mentally confused. One even had a poster of his “hero” Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe above his bed.

We issued a report with graphic, clear warnings about this situation, but heard nothing back.

[looking4ferdy]

This race is the LAST time I ever watched the National. I loved this race, young and completely unaware of what goes on. I was thrilled to bits to pick out Dark Ivy from the family sweep. Watching the race I remember him falling and not getting up. I also remember the papers the next day with very graphic photographs af that fateful fall. Thoses images will stay with me forever.

[whichypoohs]

That was dreadfully sad: such a gentleman of a horse.

[lcsd114]

Thank you for this video.  I agree with all the Dark Ivy comments. I was also 13 and was saddened by his death. However, I was also happy for Maori Venture, as I backed him (with my Dad's help!!) and he was my second winner of the National...Corbiere was the 1st. To this day I think two things: the Grand National is still the most exciting race in the world and Corbiere is one of the best National horses ever!

[ritchie93]

when horses die, as poor dark ivy did, are they still alive when their legs are kicking or is it a last nerves thing?

[whichypoohs]

@ritchie93 it depends, and I too would like someone to answer that question.

[robbie8563]

i used to walk past a black fishing boat with red trim on my way to work in Guernsey the name of the boat "Bold Venture" i backed Maori venture and the Tsarevich ante post 50-1 and 33-1 can't remember a feeling like it watching the run in such emotion.

made up for my flutter on Boom Docker in 77

[DIDCOTTWIST]

I have never forgotten dark ivy falling.I was only 13(35 NOW) but it has stuck in my head as i remember seeing on telly in the run up to the day showing dark ivy rolling around in the saw dust in it's stable.Also they kept putting the awful photo of dark ivy side on view of it going down,in the papers for day and days after.A sickening fall.

[machewbaccas]

I almost cried when I saw dark IVy

[CMob09]

Poor old West Tip

[CMob09]

West Tip should have won this one

[warry23]

I remember my Dad had £1 ew on me for maori Venture i was only 5 we always use to all pick a horse thing about it is i never saw any of the winnings

[threecountyarms]

I was there that day - my first National! Remember it was chuffing freezing, and I spent the day wandering between the bar and the bookies - between me, my dad, my uncle and my cousin we won not a sodding penny all day apart from my each way on (old faithful) West Tip...happy days!

[celticfan82]

Nah it was after tha 1989 National they filled tha ditch in at Bechers and Valentines after Brown Trix ridden by his 50 somethin year old owner Mr David Pitcher had come crashin down at Bechers first time breaking his shoulder an sliping back into tha ditch he were dragged out by a rope later on an put down also they banned Amateur riders like Pitcher who clearly didn't know what they were doing from takin part in future Nationals!!!

[ritchie93]

@celticfan82 yes apparently it was the dragging the horse out that ultimately killed brown trix, dont think anything was broken up until then, he was just stuck in the brook

[celticfan82]

@ritchie93 Yes thanks for that but Brown Trix suffered a broken shoulder Seeandem suffered a broken back and had 2 be put down also but it was defo tha 1989 Grand National that brought tha changes 2 Bechers & Valentines!!!

[SFGfx]

This was the National that led to Bechers Brook being filled in and the landing side being made less of a slope. Changes I was very against but for safety I guess.

[bootes33]

@SFGfx I was made up when they made is easier - it was hard enough and with the whole race length and jumps total its still tough enough I reckon

[atmosferik]

Dark Ivy dies instantly at beeches... Its quite horrific to watch as its lifeless body slumps to the ground after breaking its neck.

[atmosferik]

Dark Ivy dies at Beeches brooke on the first circuit. If you watch it (The grey horse), it breaks its kneck and its lifeless body slumps to the ground. I remember it happening quite vividly as I had a bet on it (I was only 11) and when it happened, I instatantly knew the horse was dead and I started crying... Happy memories!!!

[topmangaz]

Sad Memory more like.

My Uncle sold the horse as a 2 year old for 500 guinnees.

Sad memory

[whichypoohs]

@atmosferik please don't call this horse IT. Dark Ivy, along with every other horse is much more than an IT!

[celticfan82]

Is that brave old Brown Trix tha loose horse in front at tha end there certanly looks like it???? Poor old Dark Ivy an Maori Venture ran a crackin race there 2 win!!!

[brollytom]

if you look at them coming to bechers first time the loose horse thats leading goes to the left causing the horse in front of attitude adjuster to do the same ,boots madden isnt at fault just looking for some space

[boomdocker100]

try watching nedsmars jockey in the 65 race took out five others with his riding

[captainbeecher]

Read the comments on Boots Madden and Attitude Adjuster and think people are being slightly harsh. 1. Attitude adjuster was a notoriously difficult ride, 2.Madden legitimately went for a gap, this is the National, horses get blocked it was just Dark Ivy was both a grey and the housewives choice. 3. Madden has lost his whip four out so it looks like he is beating the crap out of the horse when in fact he is using the flat of his hand.

[fireditdown]

what a ride steve knight gave maori venture

[stuckontheupslow]

As we rejoin John Hamner. How many years did he do the middle commentary?

[julzyboy1973]

Approx 1971 - 2005 give or take a year

[julzyboy1973]

2002 not 2005 excuse the typo

[InuYasha4477]

that one horse is still running with no human on his back its kinda funny to me

[xSANASAAAx]

do u have the 1988 video of the national on here?

[littlebay75]

i also backed lean ar aghaigh and the tsarevich and west tip but missed the winner though i agree these 3 were the best commentators but they couldnt go on forever and the only thing with the new lot is they are too obsessed with figures and how many horses are still in the race rather than just the action but they arent too bad overall

[jafeica]

I backed Lean Ar Aghaigh that year. Listening to the great Sir Peter O'Sullevan, it makes you realise how far the BBC has fallen when it comes to racing. Jim McGrath wouldn't hold a candle to him. Even Julian Wilson, who's main job was introducing the racing coverage, makes a decent job of commentary. We may have ATR and RUK but BBC Racing in the 80's will never be topped.

[littlebay75]

attitude adjuster was a very difficult ride and the blinkers didnt help either it was a bad ride by madden aswell the death of dark ivy spoiled an otherwise fine race and seagrams finish was very similar to maori ventures what a couple of finishes at the end of such an arduous race

[uhegbu]

ITV had an announcer with the football results. Who was the person?

[uhegbu]

Who was the announcer with the results at the end of this clip? Channel 4 Racing did had an announcer, too at about that time and in the 1990s.

[CultVoid]

Len Martin I think. He also did the football results and was famous for the nightmare result, "East Fife 4, Forfar 5"

Channel 4 results announcer was John Tyrell.

[DaveBond21]

Great race. Love it every year.

[julzyboy1973]

Madden was not just incompetent but truly wicked. Watch 2nd circuit again and only look at Attitude Adjuster. He beats the shit out of that horse all the way round, even when the horse was tired and obviously not going to win on the run in - Madden is still thrashing the horse. Even though its 22 years later, he should be charged with animal cruelty and banned from riding horses.

[Foinavon67]

Irresponsible? Yes. Too hard on Attitude Adjuster? Certainly. Not incompetent though, that's the wrong word. He was a successful jock with Cheltenham Festival wins to his name. That's not incompetence.

[julzyboy1973]

Irresponsible? Is that how you describe his riding at Bechers when Dark Ivy got killed? I was actually replying to comments made by gre812u who was using the word incompetent. All I know is that Madden would get a hefty ban if that was done today. Too hard is an understatement. A person must have an evil streak to beat an animal in such a way.

[mcltuber]

Great race

[IIIIIlIIIIIlIIIIlIlI]

Bewleys Hill is down, and Dark Ivy is down.

[myfrobert]

@IIIIIlIIIIIlIIIIlIlI Dark Ivy is down, and the reputation of Attitude Adjuster is also down.

[gre812u]

Poor Dark Ivy was hampered by an incompetent bastard of a jockey called Niall Madden on Attitude Adjuster & simply had nowhere to go fell & died

Sad thing is not only was he a stunning looking horse (who had earlier won the best turned out prize) he was also a damm good one & was 2nd fav for the race behind West Tip at 11-2 (yes odds as short as 11-2 for a Grand National) plus was in form leading up to the race. Many pundits had stated he had the best chance of any grey to win since 1973 RIP

[MavJem]

wow did he ever, i was watching out for it after reading your comment and prob did even need to as it was awfully obvious, he just drifted so sharply to the left as if he didn't care you he barged into. didnt even try to correct the horse even slightly. that poor grey - plus the other 4-5 knocked over behind - was this jock notoriously bad? As an Aus, I don't know much history of the national.

[gre812u]

Yes the incompetent jockey was called Niall Madden who was notoriously bad during his career & frequently in trouble with race stewards for over hitting horses etc. The british press slated him after the race for causing the grey Dark Ivy to fall to his death

The national is billed the worlds greatest race (purely in terms of the excitement it generates) it is the richest steeplechase & winners become celebs. The down side is it is a horse killer with obstables deliberately designed to punish.

[itnocsiv]

I just love to see how the black horse without the jockey finished first. Very dangerous for the other horses but also great to see that racehorses know exactly what to do. Even when they don't have a jockey on their back.

Thanks for uploading!

[TeddyPud]

absolutely fantastic clip, thank you so much for uploading!

[bluenose622000]

steve knight

[nancybreed]

even tho you are a celtic fan i'll tell you lol maori venture was ridden by steve knight, and trained by andrew turnell

[garythenab]

A VILE race Dark Ivy's fall was awful but thankfully he wouldn't have known much about it ANIMAL ABUSE.

[musicmanere]

i love this race greatist race in the world, nice to watch from the year i was born, cant wait for this years could be very interesting :)

[STEVIEFROMNORWAY]

If I remember, Maori Venture was a 2m4f specialist so it was a bit of a surprise that he'd have the stamina to finish the national, let alone win it. I backed him regularly but didn't consider him in this race for that very reason.

[willibaldcornfed]

Maori Venture came third in that season's Hennessy running on like a train.

[rc2869]

28-1 I think. Major surpise. I reckon Lain Ar Aigh (probably not right spelling) would have won with a more experienced jockey. Maybe

[STEVIEFROMNORWAY]

Enjoyed that footage but I think Dark Ivy's demise contributed significantly to the easing of some of the fences to what they are now. Can any of you remember that photo taken from alongside the fence showing Dark Ivy hitting the ground,neck first? Truly horrible & the anti-Grand National lobbyists understandably used it to highlight their cause (I think the fact Dark Ivy was a grey seemed to pull on the heartstrings even more, evoking memories of Grey Sombrero breaking his leg in the 73 race)

[ritchie93]

@STEVIEFROMNORWAY yes this and grey sombrero also stick in my mind, i hate the national and always will, i remember the photo only too well

[WhiteHorses]

Lean ar araigh was so unlucky, led for at least 2/3 of the race & then just run out of petrol at the last as the Tsarevich & Maori Venture steamed past....

The 70's & the 80's are my fave Nationals, what I grew up with & backing a few places but only 1 winner in 20 years LOL

Do you have 1978 or 1986 at all please?

[bates1972]

hi i'm sure i have got them but where that's the question but if you leave it with me i will find the time soon to look for them  on vhs somewhere.

regards

dave

[escapade08]

I'm not familiar with steeplechase really, but...they don't enter that many horses in anymore do they? that was a lot of horses! Poor gray horse that fell - poor thing was motionless once the horses cleared...=[

[BigStevie1974]

Thats an awful fall by Dark Ivy.

I backed him and also remember the bad press given to Attitude Adjusters rider.

As a result I hated Attitude Adjuster - oh the logic of a 12 year old...

[bates1972]

yes that was a awful fall by dark ivy

and the more i watch madden on atitude adjuster the more i want to smack him i'm sure he just uses is hand to give the poor horse a smack!!

[Leighschlager]

@bates1972

I also HATED Attitude Adjuster for causing Dark Ivy`s death, i was only 13 and was devastated by this fall, he was a favourite of mine, Learned a hard lesson about jumping that day, But still love it to this day

[Leighschlager]

@bates1972 @bates1972

I also HATED Attitude Adjuster for causing Dark Ivy`s death, i was only 13 and was devastated by this fall, he was a favourite of mine, Learned a hard lesson about jumping that day, But still love it to this day

[bootes33]

@BigStevie1974 I was 14 and was split between dark ivy and Maori venture to bet on - I plumped for dark ivy only to witness that horrible fall - I can still hear my dad saying "that horse has had it" I was so upset and didn't bet ever again on any horse race - just too much for me especially at that age altho I don't say races should be banned etc - that jump is very tricky tho. Anyway national on again tomo and living in Liverpool can exactly escape it!

[looking4ferdy]

@bootes33 You and me both, concerning Dark Ivy. I was 16 and to this day will remember his body flipping over as he went over that jump. I argue like hell with anyone who says it's a great race. There's nothing Grand about the National. It's becoming more of a .National' disgrace. And people are seeing this now.

[bootes33]

@looking4ferdy yes it could easily have jumps and flat racing but without the seriously difficult ones - these were changed after this year a bit, but still too hard - its not the jumps in isolation as they seem to focus on its the fact that if you get boxed in like Ivy here or someone falls in front of you its lethal - as someone said recently there is no other legal sport which sees animals die like this or run until they virtually have a heart attack or die like this year's winner

[julzyboy1973]

Does anyone know where I can get all the nationals on DVD. I have loads on VHS. EXCEPT this year when my video broke just before the race. Has anyone got the 2008 grand national -will cover the p & p and the cost of a new tape. fingers crossed

[bates1972]

hi there i've got this years national on dvd i got my mate to record it for me!

just message me if you want.

kind regards

dave

[Cloughjordan23]

there is a 12 greatest grand nationals dvd about with three extras aswell makin 15.was on the market a year ago-so when u put this message out lol

[julzyboy1973]

seen it thanks

I missed 2008 and bates1972 kindly sent me a copy

[hamhuntley]

@julzyboy1973 Yes there is a dvd out that was released in by BBC sport called " The Twelve Greatest Grand Nationals"................I got it from play.com but I think Amazon probably sell it too.................I`m sure you`ll get it somewhere.Hope that was a help !!

[julzyboy1973]

@hamhuntley

I have the 2008 now thanks see above

[pikeman07]

Maori venture...fkin top horse, carried a tenner of mine all the way round!!! Rasn a perfect national...never got a mention till 4 out. Amazin really how many great and well known horses there was in the field - Corbiere, Attitude Adjuster, West Tip, Classified...great national horses...these days they're all one-race wonders that cum from nowhere n then go back to nowhere...i blame the new weights sytem?

[samothraki1]

Never seen so many still in the race at half way. I think the record is 1966 when 42 of the 47 runners were still in it at half way. Only 12 finished however.

[loderchris]

the fall by dark ivy stood out a mile at beachers, awful. if people enjoy the national then fine but let's not have hypocricy. the horse is just a commodity.

[sheedysvsign]

i had a few quid on the tsarevich,j.francombe

tipped maori venture,poor dark ivy was squeezed up by madden on attitude adjuster who got loads for contributing to his death.

still great to see the old races.

[sheedysvsign]

xsdcscdzc

[samothraki1]

What is it with these idiot spectators who don't watch the race, but wave inanely at the camera. Prats!

[Duszki]

The most finishers was in 1984 when 23 horses finished and Hello Dandy was the winner

[samothraki1]

Yes you're right. My Mistake.

[samothraki1]

Does'nt this national hold the record for the number of finishes?

PS Did Julian Wilson see the tragic fall of Dark Ivy?

[formulaonemad]

Yes he mentioned it in commentary

[Duszki]

Poor Dark Ivy...a truely hideous fall :(

[bates1972]

i know that was such a big shame

[gary1961]

... it appeared to be sandwiched between two horses as they jumped. He probably couldn't get enough height over the fence, hitting it too hard, spinning him over. You can see it landing on its neck. Probably died very quickly.

[willibaldcornfed]

'Boots' Madden was criticised for his riding of Attiude Adjuster (one of those two sandwiching horses) partly for being too hard on his horse and partly for going across Dark Ivy.

Also journalist Doug Moscrop was scathing in his criticism of the ride given to The Ellier whose jockey rode at the back most of the race.

[JimShadyUK]

Wasn't The Ellier originally meant to be ridden by Jacqui Oliver, but then the ride was given to Frank someone (Berry?) instead? Lots of fuss because a woman jockey was taken off a fancied horse in the National.

[schoolslipper]

No The Ellier was meant to be ridden by Gee Armytage but she was sadly injured and the Doctor did not pass her to be fit for the race so Irish champion Frank Berry took over instead. Gee did get to ride the next year though on Gee-A, her brother Marcus won the fastest National of all time in 1990 on Mr Frisk.

[willibaldcornfed]

I fancied The Ellier and got him in a sweepstake so I thought my luck (as a youngish lad) was in! I'm sure Berry was the third choice jockey and the original replacement was injured as well.

[whichypoohs]

@gary1961 Dark Ivy was not, neither is another other horse, an IT

[gary1961]

@whichypoohs I do refer to the horse twice as 'he' and 'him' as well as (erroneously) using 'it' three times. When people leave comments they very rarely think about the literary value to the words they use.and to keep pulling people up on this can only make you appear foolish. Just read back your own comment and see the glaring errors, but it would be boorish of me to point these out.

[whichypoohs]

@gary1961 Maybe you should just keep quiet ?

[gary1961]

@whichypoohs Er, hold on a minute. You're obviously one of those people who think they can say anything they like to someone, but don't like it when they say something back. I suggest you follow your own lead here and just keep quiet ... it'll probably suit you.

[whichypoohs]

@gary1961 .... some people may look stupid, however, you ARE stupid ?

[gary1961]

@whichypoohs ... why the question mark? Are you questioning whether I am stupid, or are you making a statement that I AM stupid? If you were, an explanation mark would be correct. Yet another grammatical error from your sweet self. Look, if you want to send me messages, lets talk about the Grand Nationals of yesteryear, or horse racing in general. I'm quite knowledgable, you know, I'm not stupid.

[whichypoohs]

@gary1961 you are stupid

[NClackum]

I love horse racing!