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Grand National News: Farewell to 2017 winner One For Arthur
One For Arthur has died from colic, just five years after winning the Aintree Grand National.
Known as ‘Scotland’s Horse’, One For Arthur was owned by Belinda McClung and Deborah Thompson who make up ‘The Two Golf Widows’. Arthur was only the second Scottish-trained horse to triumph in the Grand National when it finished first past the post in 2017 under the guidance of Derek Fox. After suffering a tendon injury, Arthur was ruled out for around 12 months and missed the 2018 renewal of the National, however he returned to contest the race a year later and finished sixth, again with Derek Fox in the saddle.
Having contested 25 races under rules, Arthur was retired in November 2020. Nevertheless, the plan had been for Arthur to take part in the Grand National that year prior to it being cancelled as part of the Covid-19 restrictions.
Trainer Lucinda Russell said: “We are sorry to share the news that One For Arthur died this morning (25 March). A horse of a lifetime, he made our dreams come true when winning the Grand National in 2017.
“We were delighted with him in 2019, and everything was being aimed at the National this year – we had him really buzzing and ready to go,” she said. “I suppose it had been in the back of our minds if he’d run a good race this year we probably would have retired him after that. He’s done everything for us, he owes us nothing and to retire him now while he’s at the top of his game and looking fit and well, was our decision.”
