16.02.10 - THE GRAND NATIONAL

Public asked to vote for John Smith's Grand National Legends

John Smith’s and Aintree have today announced their shortlist of 10 ‘Legends’ aiming to be inducted into the inaugural John Smith’s Grand National Legends. This new initiative celebrates the greats from Grand National history and the five Legends selected in 2010 will be invited to the first awards ceremony at Aintree racecourse on Grand National Day – Saturday, April 10.

Julian Thick, Managing Director at Aintree, commented:  “The John Smith’s Grand National is a race steeped in history and has produced many stories and legends down the years. We want to give people the chance to reflect and celebrate this, and vote for who those who they think should be further immortalised in Aintree history.” 

The shortlist was compiled by a selection panel of racing experts who were asked to consider the star performers – equine and human – from the 1830s through to the present day. A website has been developed to allow the public to choose the identity of the first five Legends which is now live and open for voting.

www.grandnationallegends.com

The contenders are as follows:

Ginger McCain + Red Rum

Jenny Pitman

Vincent O’Brien

John Buckingham + Foinavon

Bob Champion + Aldaniti

Sir Peter O’Sullevan

Fred Rimell

Fred Winter

 Manifesto

Tommy Carberry

Grand National winning jockey, Mick Fitzgerald, was part of the selection committee: "I think the Grand National Legends is a fantastic idea from John Smith's and Aintree. Winning the National was one of the very best moments of my career and the race seems to throw up interesting stories almost every year. Being involved with the selection panel and discussing some of the legendary names was great fun and I'm keen to see how the public now vote!"

Aintree and John Smith’s want to know the ‘People’s Legends’ too. Do you have a story about how the people of Liverpool get involved with the race or does your pub landlord hosts a fantastic Grand National party each year? The best five nominations will be invited to Aintree on Liverpool Day, Thursday, April 8, for a presentation ceremony as they become part of the original John Smith’s Grand National People’s Legends.
 
Julian Thick, Managing Director at Aintree, added:  “Grandnationallegends.com also gives people the chance to nominate someone outside of racing who they think deserves Legend status, because after all without the massive support of racegoers and viewers the John Smith’s Grand National would not be the event it is today.”

Voting closes on March 22 and everyone placing their vote will automatically be entered into a draw for a VIP trip to the Grand National and the chance to meet some of the Grand National Legends on Saturday, April 10.

-Ends-

Notes to editors:

JOHN SMITH’S, the UK’s No 1 ale, was installed as the Grand National favourite in 2005 after saddling up to sponsor the world’s most famous horse race in the first of three 3-year agreements between brand owners Scottish & Newcastle (now Heineken UK) and Aintree Racecourse. 

The 2010 John Smith’s Grand National meeting will take place from April 8-10th in front of 150,000 spectators and a worldwide television audience spanning more than 140 countries and 600 million people.

John Smith’s is horse racing’s biggest commercial sponsor, backing major flat and jump races at more than 30 courses including: the John Smith’s Cup at York; The John Smith’s Northumberland Plate; the John Smith’s Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter and the John Smith’s Stakes at Newbury. 
 
For further information please call:

David Jones, Press & PR Manager, Heineken UK 

Tel: 07831 141094/01784 468672

Tom Earl, Head of PR, SBI

Tel: 07973150036 / 0208 2335966 / tom.earl@sbi.co.uk

Alex Coulson, SBI

Tel: 07808 738 937 / 0208 233 5964 / alex.coulson@sbi.co.uk