2005 Grand National Winner

Hedgehunter

The 158th official running of the world-famous Grand National took place at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool on 9th April 2005 and consisted of a maximum field of 40 horses which battled it out for a share of the £700,000 prize fund, this sum including £406,000 for the winner.

The 2005 Grand National winner (sponsored by John Smiths) was 7/1 favourite Hedgehunter, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Ruby Walsh. The nine-year-old won by an impressive fourteen lengths ahead of second-placed 40/1 punt Royal Auclair and 66/1 shot Simply Gifted.

The start of the 2005 Grand National took place 25 minutes later than originally planned in order to avoid clashing with the wedding of the Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles. More than half the field made it to the end of the race and all runners returned safely to their stables, however it was decided to retire Frenchman’s Creek after the race.

A massive crowd of 70,850 attended the 2005 Grand National while 151,660 piled through the Aintree turnstiles over the three days of the meeting.

Live coverage of the race was once again provided by BBC One as part of their Grandstand special, commentary being provided by Jim McGrath (lead commentator), Darren Owen, Tony O’Hehir and Ian Bartlett.

Finishing Order

1:  Hedgehunter

2:  Royal Auclair

3:  Simply Gifted

4:  It Takes Time

5:  Forest Gunner

6:  Nil Desperandum

7:  Innox

8:  Heros Collonges

9:  Just In Debt

10:  Amberleigh House

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