Did Ladbrokes Save The Grand National?
I had no idea this was true. However, reading Ron Pollard’s Odds & Sods: My Life in the Betting Business, published by Hodder & Stoughton published in 1991.
The Grand National had been struggling and in 1974 it was sold by the Topham family to property developer Bill Davies for £3 million. By all accounts, it was possible the site was going to be turned into a housing estate however that option fell through when planning permission wasn’t given but this left the 1975 Grand National in jeopardy.
It went ahead but it was a near disaster with the entry being raised to £20, but most punters got in by giving the man on the gate just a fiver. As L’Escargot beat Red Rum there were fears this would be the last time the Grand National would be held at Aintree.
There was talk of it being held at a different course which was a crazy idea.
Ladbrokes considered the problem.
It was a real problem that needed an answer.
The Grand National needed to be saved at any cost. Ladbrokes inquired whether it was possible they could lease the course and manage it. Davies was more keen on selling the racecourse and Ladbrokes made an offer for £1.5 million which was turned down. They offered to lease the course for £125,000 per year. This wasn’t accepted either. It seemed the owner wanted to get his £3 million back or nothing at all.
Did Davies want to be known as the Man Who Killed The Grand National?
Perhaps this hit a nerve. With the 1976 Grand National just thirteen away Davies accepted a deal at £200,000 per annum and profit share for seven years worth £1.5 million.
Thant evening, the Grand National being saved was show on the Nine O’Clock News, radio and the following day’s newspapers.
On the 3rd April the Grand National 1976would take place.
Ladbrokes proves to be admirable managers of the greatest steeplechase in the world cutting admission fee to £10 lifting the crowd from 10,000 – 42,000. By the end of the seven year leash the numbers were at 64,000.
The dizzy heights of those pre-war attendance of over 100,000 would never be replicated.
However, with the race being broadcast to over 700 million viewers it was a global success and promotion for Ladbrokes.
Rag Trade went on to win the National at odds of 14/1, ridden by John Burke and trained by Fred Rimell.
Readers will remember that Red Rum went on to complete his record of three wins in 1977 at an incredible 9/1.
It made a fitting tribute to the new-improved Grand National which had so nearly been a distant memory.