The Most Memorable Grand National Upsets in History

July 30, 2026 2 min read

Why the Grand National loves a good shock

Every spring, the Aintree crowd expects a repeat of history, but the race thrives on chaos. By the way, the odds are a roulette wheel—one spin can rewrite a legend. The story behind each upset isn’t just a fluke; it’s a masterclass in unpredictability that bettors obsess over. Want the raw, unfiltered truth? Visit betongrandnational.com for the insider edge.

1969 – Foinavon’s legendary blunder

Picture a field of 30 thunderous horses, then a massive pile‑up at the 13th fence. Twelve seconds later, a lone, rag‑tag runner named Foinavon sidesteps the chaos, snatches the lead, and sails home at 100/1. No one saw that one coming. The lesson? A single mishap can flip the script faster than a jockey’s whip. The race that year taught bookmakers to respect long‑shot stamina over raw speed.

2009 – Mon Mome’s stunning triumph

Enter Mon Mome, a 100‑to‑1 outsider with a modest pedigree, barely a whisper among the pundits. On a rain‑slick day, the horse surged from the back, weaving through a tangle of tired competitors. The crowd gasped, the bookmakers reeled. That victory proved the Grand National’s mud can be a great equaliser, turning a “no‑chance” into a headline. Here is the deal: conditions, not just lineage, can dictate the payout.

2021 – Minella Times shatters expectations

Minella Times entered the race with a 50‑to‑1 price tag, deemed a middle‑ground contender at best. Yet, a perfect ride, a perfect pace, and a final stretch burst turned the improbable into a reality. The horse’s surge over the last fences left seasoned trainers gulping. And here is why it matters: a strategic jockey can extract hidden power from a seemingly average horse.

What the upsets teach us about betting

Each shock underscores a brutal truth—don’t chase the favorite’s safety net. Study the fence‑by‑fence breakdowns, monitor the ground, and scout jockey‑horse chemistry. The Grand National rewards the daring who read the race like a story, not a spreadsheet. Keep your eyes on the underdogs; they’re the ones that rewrite history.