Aintree sparkles at Grand National
Organisers of a record-breaking Grand National festival were already looking forward to next year after a hugely successful and sun-kissed 2011.
More than 153,583 race-goers visited Aintree over the three-day festival, and saw a fairytale victory in the big race for Ballabriggs, trained by Donald McCain, son of Red Rum’s legendary trainer Ginger.
On the hottest day of the year so far, Saturday was a complete sell-out making 2011 the biggest year ever at Aintree and bringing an estimated £10m boom to the Merseyside economy.
Course managing director Julian Thick called the meeting a triumph, calling it “the start of the summer” with the attendance figures trouncing the previous record of 151,660 set in 2005.
He said: “Last year we had the fairytale of A P McCoy and Don’t Push It, and this year hasn’t disappointed.
“The Grand National Meeting is getting bigger and better and we’re all looking forward to getting plans in place for 2012, and hope to see everyone back at Aintree.”
David Andrews, director of visitor economy for tourism body The Mersey Partnership, said he expected the £8.5m spent over the Grand National weekend 2010 to be well surpassed.
He said: “Every indication so far suggests it's been a very successful weekend for the City Region's visitor economy. Our research based on previous Grand National meetings estimated an economic impact of around £8.5m in visitor spend and with 2011's capacity crowds, record numbers of visitors and superb weather to showcase the Aintree festival and Liverpool to the world, it's clearly been a bumper weekend.
“The benefits are spread across the hotels, restaurants, bars and shops. No other destination anywhere can match the appeal of Liverpool during the Aintree festival."
Cheshire-based trainer Donald McCain said to win the National was “incredible”.
He also expressed his delight at winning at Aintree, adding: “You come here this week and you realise what this place is all about. There’s nothing quite like it.”
More than £1,915,000 was bet on course on Saturday, bringing the total for the three days at the Tote to more than £4m.
George Primarolo, who runs the Tote at Aintree, said the result of the National would have delighted many Merseysiders as the horse was one of the favourites at the course.
Before the official race card began, former Grand National winning jockeys took part in a charity race.
All money raised went to the Bob Champion Cancer Trust.
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