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Aintree Race Track: The Home of the Grand National Steeplechase!
 Aintree Race Track is a horse race track located in the city of Liverpool, Lancashire, which is in north west England, on the River Mersey. Aintree Race Track is situated at Ormskirk Road.
Aintree Race Track is renowned for being the host of the Grand National steeplechase. Aintree Race Track has two left-handed tracks: the Grand National circuit and the Midmay Track.
The Grand National circuit at Aintree Race track (2m2f) is flat and has big fences with drop on landing side and a long run-in. The race track is regarded as one of the most difficult of all tracks to successfully complete, with 16 steeplechase fences including The Chair, Canal Turn and Becher's Brook. All fences bar the water jump are covered with spruce unlike any other track in British national hunt racing.
Other races held over the Grand National fences at Aintree Race track are the following:
- Topham Chase (formerly known as the John Hughes Trophy Chase)
- Fox Hunters' Chase
- Grand Sefton Handicap Chase
- Becher Handicap Chase
Located within the Grand National fences is the smaller Mildmay track that contains hurdles and fences. The Mildmay Track, 1m3f, flat with conventional fences, is sharper than hurdles track. The only fence common to the National and Mildmay tracks is the water jump.
The Grand National steeplechase at Aintree Race track is run over four and a half miles (7.24 km). The Grand National was first run in 1839. There are usually 40 horses taking part in the race but fewer than 10 may in fact complete the track. The lead has often changed hands during the 494-yard (452 m) run-in after the final fence. The record for the most victories in the Grand National is held by Red Rum, who won three times in the 1970s.
Aintree Race Track History
- On July 27, 1829, a flat race fixture was staged at Aintree and this signaled the coming of the sport to the place. The first owner of Aintree was the owner of Liverpool 's Waterloo Hotel, Mr William Lynn, who leased the land from Lord Sefton. Lynn laid out the race track and built a grandstand.
- In 1949 Lord Sefton sold the race track to the Topham family who owned several tracts of land around Aintree race track.
- The Midmay track was opened in 1953 at Aintree race track, at the same time a motor race circuit which encircled the track was also opened. The Midmay track was built by Mirabel Topham when she was appointed new track manager. It was named after Lord Midmay, an amateur jockey.
- In 1973, Aintree race track was sold by the Tophams family to property developer Bill Davies.
- In 1975, bookmakers Ladbrokes signed an agreement with Davies and took full control of the Grand National.
- In 1983, the Jockey Club took control of Aintree race track.
- The 2004 Grand National attracted over 150,000 spectators to Aintree race track.
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