Reynoldstown

Reynoldstown, owned and trained by Major Noel Furlong, had the distinction of winning two consecutive Grand Nationals, in 1935 and 1936, on his first two attempts. On the first occasion, Golden Miller, the winner in 1934, started 2/1 favourite – the shortest-priced favourite in the history of the Grand National – but, controversially, unseated rider Gerry Wilson at the Canal Turn on the first circuit. In an eventful race, in which only four of the 27 starters finished, with 17 falling before halfway, amateur rider Frank Furlong, the son of the trainer, steered a safe passage on Reynoldstown. The eight-year-old led over Becher’s Brook on the second circuit and remained prominent until taking a definite advantage between the last two fences and staying on well to beat Blue Prince by 3 lengths at odds of 22/1.

The following year, Reynoldstown carried top weight of 12st 2lb and was ridden by Fulke Walwyn, who was still an amateur at the time. Having jumped Valentine’s Brook on the second circuit almost upsides leader Davy Jones, Reynoldstown stumbled at the next fence, losing ground, but the pair remained clear of their pursuers. Coming back onto the racecourse proper, Reynoldstown made headway again and already looked the likely winner when Davy Jones ran out at the final fence with a broken rein. Consequently, Reynoldstwon only had to be pushed out to beat Ego by 12 lengths. In so doing, he not only became the most notable winner of Fulke Walwyn’s riding career, but the first horse to win back-to-back Nationals since Poethlyn 18 years earlier.

Despite winning on his first two attempts, Reynoldstown never ran in the Grand National again. Consequently, of the seven horses who have won two, or more, Grand Nationals, Reynoldstown is the only with a 100% record.