The 1904 Grand National took place on Friday 25 March at Aintree racecourse. It was the 66th renewal of the event.
Moifaa is perhaps one of the best known among early Grand National winners, thanks largely to a case of mistaken identity. The story tells of how Moifaa and three other horses boarded a steamship from their native New Zealand on their way to England. It was later reported that the ship struck a reef and a local fishing boat discovered an exhausted horse, having apparently swum fifty miles to safety. Once recovered, the horse – said to be Moifaa, went on to win the National.
In fact, Moifaa and company arrived safely in England without incident. But the story is not entirely untrue. The tale refers to a second ship carrying horses from New Zealand. The horse that survived that shipwreck and was recovered at Mouille Point some ten hours later was called Koira. Koira did in fact go on to participate in the 1904 Grand National but was an early faller.
Moifaa had previously been very successful in New Zealand where he had won at least ten races, including long distance races under a heavy weight. However, he had failed to win in three attempts prior to this and since arriving in England. This contributed to his 25/1 starting price.
At more than seventeen hands, the Aintree course was well suited to Moifaa. He put in a round of jumping that was described as an exhibition display and faultless by some. The fences were said to be even more formidable than usual this year and this undoubtedly played in his favour while being the undoing of many others, ten of the twenty-six starters down by the fifth fence.
Following his win here, Moifaa was purchased by King Edward VII but would never win another race.
A bold effort too by Kirkland in winning a battle for second place, eight lengths behind the winner. He would go one better in 1905.
Among other notable runners in the race this year was the King’s Ambush II, winner of the race in 1900 while his owner was the then Prince Of Wales. He got only as far as the third fence this time.
“At no part of his career has the horse looked better, for he was full of hard muscle, and trained to the highest pitch. A typical chaser of the very best kind he commanded unqualified admiration, and so sanguine were both his trainer and jockey that the spirit of optimism became almost infectious.”
Of Ambush II, Daily Telegraph & Courier (London)
Also present was the great Manifesto, running in the National for the final time, now aged sixteen years. The grand old horse received a standing ovation as he completed the course, albeit the last to do so.
Full Race Result:
| 01 | Moifaa | Arthur Birch | 8 | 10-7 | 25/1 | 8 lengths |
| 02 | Kirkland | Frank Mason | 8 | 10-10 | 100/7 | Neck |
| 03 | The Gunner | Mr Joe Widger | 7 | 10-4 | 25/1 | |
| 04 | Shawn Aboo | A Waddington | 6 | 10-1 | 100/1 | |
| 05 | Robin Hood IV | A Magee | 6 | 10-3 | 33/1 | |
| 06 | Band Of Hope | Patrick Cowley | 8 | 9-13 | 40/1 | |
| 07 | Napillah | Mr Arthur Wood | 8 | 9-9 | 100/1 | |
| 08 | Benvenir | Percy Woodland | 8 | 9-10 | 20/1 | |
| 09 | Manifesto | H Pigott | 16 | 12-1 | 20/1 | Last to complete |
Also ran: Ambush II, The Pride Of Mabestown, Inquisitor, Patlander, Deerslayer, Detail, Cushendon, Knight Of St Patrick, May King, Comfit, Biology, Loch Lomond, Railoff, Old Town, Honeymoon II, Kiora, Hill Of Bree.
Post-race Report:
It was a pretty sight when the lot filed on to the course. Fortunately the light was perfect for distinguishing colours, so the different phases of the momentous struggle could be plainly seen. The lot paraded in the order in which their names figured in the card, and this was an excellent arrangement, as it obviates the difficulty of picking out each individual horse, especially to the uninitiated spectators.
That falls were numerous was only in accordance with tradition but no one for a moment anticipated that Ambush II would come to grief at the very outset, but unfortunately he just touched the top of the third fence, and rolled over, to the intense discomfiture of his jockey, who seemed unable to drag himself away from the scene of the mishap until all was over, though he was unhurt. It was at this very obstacle second time round that Dearslayer, who with Moifaa had been making joint running, did identically the same thing, and came a purler. Long before they jumped the water and passed the stand the first time the field had been greatly thinned, and with Moifaa setting a wonderful pace, he was attended after the mishap to Dearslayer by Kirkland and The Gunner, while old Manifesto, if unable to keep up the intense pressure, was jumping with his accustomed brilliancy. Detail, who was never travelling with any fire, was knocked over by Ambush II who continued to gallop the course riderless.
In the last mile of the journey there was nothing in it but the first three. As they came on to the racecourse the name of The Gunner was proclaimed as a likely winner, but Moifaa had too much speed for him, and Mr Spencer Gollan’s horse, never making a mistake, practically won in a canter from Kirkland, who just deprived the Irish horse of second place. Manifesto struggled on and completed the course, his performance being loudly cheered.
There was no demonstration as the winner returned to the paddock but it was, nevertheless, a very fine effort, considering that the Australian-bred gelding had only been in England eight months, and barely had time to become acclimatised. He won many races in his native land, and though not altogether an attractive horse, he is of gigantic stature, and evidently possesses immense power. His lean neck and rather tucked-up appearance was against him, but he is an animal who will bear looking at, for he has wonderful heart room, grand hocks, the best of legs, and his wide, flat feet seem thoroughly adapted to such a test as he had before him to-day. He was not in the least distressed, and, indeed, seemed capable of going round the course again. No doubt a very substantial stake was landed at extended odds, and as not a whisper of his prospects was allowed to leak out, few beyond his imminent connections were allowed to participate in the sweets of success.
Patlander, as many prophesied, did not get the course, and those who actually did so were considered the least likely to jump the country. There was an immunity from serious accidents to riders, though Loch Lomond, who was regarded as a promising horse, broke his neck.
Moifaa is a member of the New Zealand Hall of Fame:
Images:
Main image: Elliott and Fry, from Heroes and Heroines by Finch Mason.
Additional image: W.A. Roach, from Grand Nationals Past and Present by Paul Brown.