The 1903 Grand National took place on Friday 27 March at Aintree racecourse. It was the 65th renewal of the event.
Kirkland is a horse that has perhaps not been given the credit he deserves. He made his first Grand National appearance here at the age of seven and ran a highly respectable fourth place, narrowly denied third place by the great Manifesto. He would go on to finish second in 1904 before finally winning the race in 1905.
Manifesto conversely is universally celebrated as an all-time National hero. His third place here was his seventh appearance in the race, aged 15 years.
King Edward VII was present to see his horse Ambush II. The winner of the race in 1900, Ambush II again looked a likely winner before coming down at the final fence.
Runner-up in 1901 and perhaps unlucky to be knocked over last year, Drumcree started the race as 13/2 favourite. He would win the race this time. Drumcree was much more fortunate than he had been last year, with Ambush II falling at the last when going well. He was able to withstand the challenge of Detail to win by three lengths. This was also a reversal in fortune for jockey Percy Woodland who had broken his collar-bone when falling in the 1901 renewal when riding True Blue.
Jockey Arthur Nightingall wrote about his riding of Detail in his biography. He responded to some criticism about his handling of his horse (although as he retained the ride the following year, it may not have been this race that drew criticism.)
“In 1902 my acquaintance with “Detail” commenced. That horse was owned by a lady, and it did not seem to me that he was always managed in the most judicious manner possible….
….I always did my best for “Detail,” and I need say no more, even if other people have said too much. My position in regard to the matter has been amply vindicated by subsequent events.”
Arthur Nightingall, My Racing Adventures, c.1907.
Full Race Result:
| 01 | Drumcree | Percy Woodland | 9 | 11-3 | 13/2 | 3 lengths |
| 02 | Detail | Arthur Nightingall | 7 | 9-13 | 100/14 | 20 lengths |
| 03 | Manifesto | George Williamson | 15 | 12-3 | 25/1 | head |
| 04 | Kirkland | Frank Mason | 7 | 10-8 | 100/8 | |
| 05 | Benvenir | M. Hayes | 7 | 9-12 | 100/1 | |
| 06 | Pawnbroker | James O’Brian | 8 | 9-09 | 100/1 | |
| 07 | Fanciful | W.P. Cullen | 8 | 11-07 | 100/6 |
Also ran: Ambush II, Drumree, Inquisitor, Fairland, Marpessa, Cushendon, Kilmalloo, Deerslayer, Pride Of Mabestown, Patlander, Matthew, Expert II, Aunt May, Orange Pat, Saxilby, Gillee II.
Post-race Report:
The royal colours were carried twice during the afternoon, first by the two-year-old Plombiers in the Sefton Park Plate, and then by Ambush II in the Grand National. The latter had won the great race as a six-year-old in 1900 with 11st 3lbs, and now had 12st 7lbs to carry. He put in an extraordinary performance, and at the last fence had practically won the race, and men were getting ready to cheer for all they were worth. In an instant the anticipated triumph was all over. The horse fell and crumpled himself up so badly that it was thought he had broken his back. The extent of the misfortune did not get as far as this, Ambush II being all right after a few minutes, having been only knocked out, and in the evening he was as well as ever. From first to last, it was a remarkable Grand National, the betting for weeks having been of a curious nature, with Manifesto, Ambush II, Fanciful, Drumcree, Kirkland, Mathew, and Detail in turn favourite; while more than one when the furore had subsided was knocked out to odds of a forlorn character. A field of twenty-three started and sixteen came to grief, only 7 passing the post. Some of the jockeys said the fences had been cut down, and any pony could jump them; others said the course had never been so severe, and when doctors disagreed who was to decide? The first two fences brought Fairyland, Inquisitor, Orange Pat, Aunt May, and Expert II to grief, and it was not long before Cushendun, Kilmallog, and Pride Of Mabestown followed suit. After going half-way, Mathew, Detail, and Kirkland were in the first flight; but this does not imply that they were going better than Drumree, Drumcree, Dearslayer, Manifesto, or Fanciful. Marpessa fell after going half way, and no sooner had Mathew’s friends began to shout than down he came.
The last mile of the journey can be best described in the words of Percy Woodland, who rode the winner –
“Mathew and Detail were in front, then Mathew went upside down, and I was first, with Drumree alongside me – that is, going on the racecourse. When we got on the racecourse Ambush came by us, and he went on with Detail and Drumcree, and the one that Piggott was riding was right there. Dearslayer, I thought, was going well enough to win. Then he fell. I thought Drumree (the Duke Of Westminster’s horse) was beaten two fences from home, and I was riding hard, and had been from the canal bridge for my life, but my horse was staying on. He was the gamest horse I ever got on. The King’s horse coming to the last fence was about three parts of a length behind me, going well, better than I was, though the weight might have stopped him. I and Arthur Nightingall jumped the last fence almost together. Detail was a little in front, and in the run home all my thoughts were which animal would stay the longest. About a furlong from the post I felt I had won, the horse staying on well, and running game, and he was fit”
Percy Woodland
Manifesto as usual was all there at the finish, and covered himself with glory, and the cheers that greeted him as he struggled into third place a few inches in front of Kirkland was well deserved, for it was a gallant performance on the part of a fifteen year old horse with 12st 3lb in the saddle. Drumree, the Duke Of Westminster’s representative, appeared to have a fit of some sort, or else broke an internal blood vessel, and it was a long time before he was able to get up. Eventually he walked back to his stable, and it is hoped that there is no injury likely to be of a permanent nature. It would be a great pity if his racing career was stopped, for he is clearly the best steeplechaser in training over two miles. With all the falls it is satisfactory to note that not a single jockey was at all hurt.
Associated Memorabilia:
Shown below is a racecourse annual members badge for Liverpool 1903.
