Family Travel

Aintree track is one of the most recognized racecourses in the country and is sited on the A59 at Ormskirk Road, Aintree (North West, England) in the northern border of Liverpool, just six miles from the city centre. The race course occupies 250 acres and has two left-handed racing circuits. The first, the Mildmay Course is rectangular and opened in 1953. It is nearly one and a half miles in long, with sharp turns and steeplechase jumps. The Aintree Grand National route isn’t as sharp as the Mildmay course but is much more challenging which is why it is known as one of the toughest races in the country - one which all horse jockeys would desire to acquire access to. The
Aintree Grand National course is far longer than the Mildmay at roughly two and a quarter miles, and is fully flat, with jumps that have a drop on the landing side lower than the take-off side.

William Lynn is the gentleman accountable for bringing steeple chase racing to the village of Aintree. Lynn was the property-owner of the Waterloo Inn, and launched steeple chase racing on the land which he leased from the Earl of Sefton. The grandstand started being constructed in 1829 and after five months the first gathering for Flat races was held. They didn’t start hurdle horse racing until 1836, when the first Liverpool Grand Steeplechase was held at Aintree on February 29th. This pursuit was claimed by some as being the original ever Aintree Grand National and was won by The Duke, ridden by Captain Martin Becher. However, the more documented Liverpool Steeplechase of 1839 is acknowledged as the first, and was won by Lottery, ridden by Jem Mason. The competition of 1839 was a four miler, across country, and the regulation was that no rider to open a gate or ride through a entryway, or more than 100 yards along any thoroughfare, walkway or driftway.

The race course , and after the 1940 National it was again requisitioned by the army. Racing resumed in 1946 and in 1949 the race course was bought by Messrs Topham Ltd; who had leased the place for roughly a century; from the Earl of Sefton for 275,000. Mirabel Topham, an inventive soul, went on to create the Mildmay course and a automobile circuit which held the European Grand Prix and five English Grand Prix.

Bill Davies bought the race course in 1973 for 3 million and in 1975 Ladbrokes saved the Aintree Grand National, which was in danger of vanishing, by running and administering it for seven years at a yearly payment of 250,000. In 1983 the race course was deemed secure when the Jockey Club bought it.

Aintree is now more suited for use with transportation links very much enhanced. In the beginning it could only be reached by rail, but now it is reached by car, coach or air. There is a six acre enclosed space for landing by copter or the John Lennon airport 20 minutes drive away, meaning guests to Aintree have a better experience.