Experts recommend that bettors skip horses named after themselves or family members for the Grand National. Approximately eight million people plan to wager on the renowned four-mile steeplechase this Saturday, often selecting namesakes or relatives’ names.
Record Number of Human-Named Runners This Year
Ten of the 34 expected runners carry common Christian names, the highest total since 2000. Yet, betting records indicate this approach seldom delivers strong results.
Historical Data on Namesake Horses
Only three of the past 20 Grand National winners featured human names: I Am Maximus, Nick Rockett, and One For Arthur. Since 2005, just 13 out of 98 horses with common Christian names have placed in the top five.
Recent Exceptions to the Trend
Last year broke the pattern, as Nick Rockett, I Am Maximus, and Grangeclare West claimed the top three spots. The year prior, I Am Maximus secured first place, with Kitty’s Light finishing fifth. However, no horse with a common Christian name reached the top five from 2018 through 2023.
Bettors may fare better by prioritizing form over sentiment this year.
Bookmaker Insights
Lee Phelps, spokesman for William Hill, stated: “Names can often help people make up their minds on who to back in the Grand National, and, given the lottery the race has been over the years, it’s no wonder people side with familiar sounding runners over form-book cases. We often see popular names being punted in the race and that can lead to expensive results for us too. We’ve counted 10 horses this year who feature first names, with the likes of Johnnywho, Gorgeous Tom and Oscars Brother all sure to be popular. While previous results show it’s probably not the best strategy for finding a winner, there’s no race like the National for backing horses for sentimental reasons, so best of luck.”
