The Grand National Hurdle Stakes is an American National Steeplechase Association sanctioned steeplechase race run each fall at Far Hills, New Jersey. It is a Grade 1 event run over miles. It has been known by a variety of names over the years, including the Breeders' Cup Grand National.
The race dates back to 1899 where it was first run at Morris Park Racecourse. It was long the premier stakes in U.S. jump racing. Past winners include 11 of the 14 steeplechasers inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame: Flatterer (also a close second in the 1987 Champion Hurdle), Zaccio, Café Prince, Bon Nouvel, Neji, Oedipus, Elkridge, Bushranger, Battleship (in 1938 became the only winner of this race and the Aintree Grand National), Jolly Roger and Good and Plenty.
The race has also been held at Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course as well as the steeplechase meets at Fair Hill, Maryland and Charlottesville, Virginia. While the race has been named the Breeders' Cup Grand National, it was never held as part of the Breeders' Cup.
The Grand National (sometimes called the American Grand National to distinguish it from the race held at Aintree in England) is one of the oldest races in steeplechasing and one of the most important outside Europe. The day of steeplechasing at Far Hills includes seven races, the most important of which is the Grand National.
Winners of the Grand National since 1998 Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Time2025Zanahiyr8Jack KennedyGordon ElliottBective Stud 5:20.002024Snap Decision10Graham WattersJack FisherBruton Street-US5:02.862023Noah And The Ark9Harrison BeswickTodd McKennaKeystone Thoroughbreds5:41.282022Hewick7Jordan GainfordJohn Hanlon TJ McDonald5:11.602021The Mean Queen5Richard CondonKeri BrionButtonwood Farm4:57.202019Brain Power8Nico de BoinvilleNicky HendersonMichael Buckley4:55.602018Jury Duty7Robbie PowerGordon ElliottSideways Syndicate5:14.202017Mr. Hot Stuff11Danny MullinsJack O. FisherMrs. S. K. Johnston Jr.4:57.402016Rawnaq9Ruby WalshCyril MurphyIrvin S. Naylor4:50:002015Dawalan5Ross GeraghtyCyril MurphyIrvin S. Naylor4:57.202014Demonstrative7Robert WalshRichard Valentine5:19.002013Divine Fortune10Darren NagleJonathan E. Sheppard5:15.002012Pierrot Lunaire8Bernard DaltonBlythe Miller Davies5:40.002011Black Jack Blues8Ross GeraghtyJoseph W Delozier IIIIrvin S. Naylor5:29.802010Percussionist9James O'FarrellIben & Morten BuskopMorten Buskop5:00.402009Your Sum Man7Ross GeraghtyThomas H. VossFields Stable5:39.782008Good Night Shirt7William DowlingJack FisherHarold A. Via Jr.4:54.202007McDynamo10Jody PettySanna HendriksMichael J. Moran5:30.602006McDynamo9Jody PettySanna HendriksMichael J. Moran5:58.202005McDynamo8Jody PettySanna HendriksMichael J. Moran5:46.652004McDynamo7Craig ThorntonSanna HendriksMichael J. Moran5:06.802003McDynamo6Craig ThorntonSanna HendriksMichael J. Moran5:24.122002Flat Top9Robert MasseyJanet ElliotNancy Gerry5:19.442001Quel Senor6Cyril MurphyThomas H. VossCoppertree Farm4:54.202000All Gong6Blythe MillerBruce MillerCalvin Houghland4:53.901999Ninepins12Arch Kingsley Jr.Jonathan E. SheppardHudson River Farm5:28.401998Flat Top5Bitsy PattersonJanet ElliotNancy Gerry4:55.60
Earlier winners 1997 - Rowdy Irishman 1996 - Correggio 1995 - Rowdy Irishman 1994 - Warm Spell 1993 - Runway Romance (American Grand National) 1993 - Lonesome Glory (Breeders' Cup Steeplechase) 1992 - Highland Bud 1991 - Morley Street (English champion) 1990 - Morley Street 1989 - Highland Bud 1988 - Jimmy Lorenzo (US champion) 1987 - Gacko (French champion) 1986 - Census (multiple graded stakes winner)
References