1859 Grand National

The 1859 Grand National was the 21st renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 2 March 1859.

Attempts were made to sabotage the course this year by unruly spectators wishing to make the fences less of a test. On hearing that many of the fences had been broken down by spectators, attempts were made to send out men to rebuild them, which were met in some areas by spectators blocking their path to the fence. Jockeys, returning after the race reported their mounts having to jump spectators on occasion, so close to the fences were the crowds.

First circuit: Starting from the field used every year since 1851, This area had several trees nearby and it was reported that much amusement was found watching the acrobatics of spectators climbing for a better view Fence 1 {15} Bank, Fence 2 {16} described this year as a hedge and ditch, Fence 3 {17} Post and Rails, Fence 4 {18} Rails and ditch, Fence 5 {19} Becher's Brook, Fence 6 {20} had been described in previous years as a bank but this year was Rails and a ditch, Fence 7 {21} Also formerly a bank but now a post and rails Fence 8 {22} Canal side turn bank, Fence 9 {23} Valentine's Brook, Fence 10 {24} Ditch and quickset, Fence 11 {25} Post and rails, Fence 12 {26} Stump hedge and ditch.

The runners then turned at the first opportunity on re-entering the racecourse and made towards the fences in front of the stands. Fence 13 Gorsed hurdle, Fence 14 Made brook, appears to have been increased in width from 13' 6" to 15'.

Second circuit: The runners then turned away from the Grandstands again and crossed Proceed's lane, into the a field that was formerly the wheat piece in previous years before following the same circuit until reaching the racecourse again. This time the runners continued to the wider extreme of the course before turning to run up the straight in front of the stands where Fence 27 the Distance hurdle had to be jumped.

The runners then bypassed the Gorsed Hurdle and Made brook inside before reaching the winning post in front of the Main Stand.

As in most years of this decade, the poor quality of runners and low weights put the sport at a very low ebb. The press speculated that the Crimean War and Indian Mutiny had starved the sport of both good hunter chasers and good hunting men to ride them while professional jockeys struggled to make the low weights required in many races. The result was a field yet again made up mostly of flat race rejects, some of whom had never taken part in a steeplechase before. Again leaving the public with very little to go on in picking a selection

Westminster, fourth two years ago, was the long time favourite, but went wrong the day before the race and was withdrawn along with Knight Of The Shire, Mahratta and Tease to leave twenty runners.