Grittar

British-bred Thoroughbred racehorsee

Grittar

Sire| Grisaille
Dam| Tarama
Damsire| Tamerlane
Sex| Gelding
Foaled| 1973[1]
Country| United Kingdom
Colour| Bay
Breeder| Frank H Gilman
Owner| Frank H Gilman
Trainer| Frank H Gilman
Major wins
Grand National (1982)

Grittar (1973 - 1998) was a British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse who competed in National Hunt racing.

In 1982 he won the Grand National as the 7/1 favourite being ridden by amateur jockey Dick Saunders, who at the age of 48 became, and remains, the oldest jockey to have won the Grand National.

## Background

[edit]

Grittar was a bay gelding bred in the United Kingdom by Frank H Gilman. He was owned and trained by Gilman and resided in Rutland.

## Racing career

[edit]

> And it's 48 year old Dick Saunders on Grittar from Hard Outlook. Grittar strides into the final furlong and is already being acclaimed as the National Hero of 1982. Frank Gilman's Grittar strides up to the line to win it in fantastic style, ear's pricked, he's a fresh horse. Grittar wins the National!

BBC Commentator Peter O'Sullevan describes the climax of the 1982 National

In 1981 Grittar won the Cheltenham and Liverpool Foxhunters and Gilman decided he should be entered in the National the following year.

In preparation for the National, he won at a canter at Leicester before finishing a creditable sixth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Grittar was installed as a 7/1 favourite on the day of the 1982 Grand National race, due mostly to the Foxhunter Chase double in 1981.[2] The victory at Liverpool was enough for him to get the support of BBC Radio 2 commentator, Peter Bromley[3] though several newspaper pundits expressed concern at the horse being a hunter chaser. Forty-eight-year-old amateur rider Dick Saunders told trainer Frank Gilman to employ the services of a professional rider, Peter Scudamore for the big race, but Gilman insisted Saunders take the ride if fit. His age and amateur status did little to deter the betting public although leading professional gambler, Alex Bird commented "I immediately pencilled him in for the '82 National, but I'm not happy about the jockey - I'll be keeping my money in my pocket."[4]

Grittar had a virtually trouble free run beating the other 7 finishers by 15 lengths with Saunders retiring immediately after the race and becoming chairman of the Aintree stewards.

Grittar ran in two more Nationals. In 1983 he finished 5th behind Corbiere and the following year ridden by John Francome he finished 10th to Hallo Dandy.

Grittar died aged 25 in Leicestershire.[citation needed]

## Grand National record

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Grand National  | Position  | Jockey | Age  | Weight  | SP | Distance

|
|
|
|
|
|

1982 | 1st  | Dick Saunders  | 9  | 11-5  | 7/1 F  | Won by 15 lengths
1983 | 5th  | Paul Barton  | 10  | 11-12  | 6/1  |
1984 | 10th  | John Francome | 11  | 11-10  | 12/1  |

## Pedigree

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Pedigree of Grittar (GB), bay gelding, 1973[5] Sire
Grisaille (GB)
1965  | Grey Sovereign (GB)
1948  | Nasrullah (GB)  | Nearco (ITY)

|
|
|

Mumtaz Begum
Kong (GB)  | Baytown
Clang
Goyamora (FRA)
1954  | Goyama (FRA)  | Goya II
Devineress
Temora (FRA)  | Tourbillon
Pharyva
Dam
Tarama (GB)
1965  | Tamerlane (GB)
1952  | Persian Gulf (GB)  | Bahram (GB)
Double Life (IRE)
Eastern Empress (GB)  | Nearco (ITY)
Cheveley Lady
Confection (GB)
1948  | Fun Fair (GB)  | Fair Trial (GB)
Humoresque
Choclo (GB)  | Blandford
Athasi

## References

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1. ^ "Grittar profile". Racing Post. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
2. ^ "Grittar 1982 Grand National". 11 March 2010.
3. ^ Belfast Telegraph, April 2nd 1982, page 26, "Catch the post with Royal Mail. {Grittar is a big danger}"
4. ^ Liverpool Echo, April 2nd 1982, Page 3, "Grittar gets the bird for big one."
5. ^ "Grittar pedigree". sporthorse-data.com. Retrieved 11 April 2021.