The Life and Times of Lottery the first ‘Grand National’ Winner

If the Grand National was a wise old man, it could tell a story or two. It would be an old character who looked back to his younger years reminiscing about Lottery winning the first race in 1839. In those days, one fence wasn’t a fence – it was a wall!

Marathon runners have metaphorically detailed about ‘hitting the wall’ but 1940, a year after Lottery made the headlines for winning the ‘National’, he actually hit the wall and survived to live another day. Getting to his feet, he was surrounded by masonry and cement dust in the air. One of the jockeys, Tom Olliver, was thought to have been killed in a fall, so bad was his state as he was carried away to the stands.

It should be known that from 1839 – 1846 the race we all fondly called the ‘Grand National Steeplechase’ was in fact named ‘The Grand Liverpool Steeplechase’.

A few of you anoraks know your onions.

Lottery returned in 1841. In time, the wall would been replaced with a water jump. The combination of Lottery winning the National in 1839 and 1840 Cheltenham Chase saw him carry the burden of 13 stone 4lb. It didn’t stop his supporter backing him to 5/2f. However, not even Jem Mason, looking dashing in his crimson silks, could help a tired horse do anything but pull up half a mile from home.

Life was hard in those days.

The average life expectancy revealed a grim number and heading to the ‘Grand National’ didn’t do anything lift the spirits of man nor horse beyond the baying crowd.

Lottery wasn’t finished.

As sure as night followed day, he was ready to take his chance in the 1842 ‘Grand National’. Once gain he was made favourite (5/1). He carried 13 stones 4lbs, ridden by Jem Mason. This time he was pulled up on the second circuit at the Canal Turn.

Gaylad won at odds of 7/1. A tonic for jockey Tom Olliver who had almost died at the wall in 1840.

Looking at the racing notes it details the truth and horror of the race.

Race comments detailed: distance or fate!

The third placed horse, Peter Simple. Comment: ‘Rider unseated at the home turn when spectator encroached onto course!’

Lucks All, who finished a gallant sixth: ‘Completed course, but may not have taken all the jumps.’

Non finisher. Lady Langford. Comment: ‘Fate not recorded!’

In 1843, the official handicapper had relented a little on Lottery. The first year it was run as a handicap. This time he carried a weight of 12 stones 6 pounds. Now at the age of 13 he was still fancied to go well and priced 4/1. Lottery finished seventh. There must have been some uncertainty about who had finished or not as the comment revealed: ‘Last certain finisher.’

Sadly, there were still fallers at fence 13 ‘The Wall!’

Amazingly, The Wall, had been reintroduced this year at the request of Irish competitors and supporters used to such obstacles in Ireland.

Lottery was retired after this race.

In truth, he was capable of winning all ‘Grand Nationals’ from 1839 – 1843. One Victorian commentator saying: ‘Lottery could trot faster than most of his rivals could gallop.’ He won a ‘National’, survived a fall at the wall, was burdened with colossal riding weights in an attempt to hinder his chances.

He was retired to a stable at East Langton in Leicestershire where he enjoyed a more relaxed life.

On his death, he was buried in an adjacent field with an engraved stone marking his place of rest.

Lottery, forever known as the winner of the first ‘Grand National Steeplechase’.