Matching the feat of the legendary Red Rum, and despite being touted as the favorite by many
pundits and websites that put out horse racing predictions, Tiger Roll was once again crowned Grand
National champion with his second consecutive victory at this year’s showcase racing event at
Aintree.
In honor of one of the most historic Grand National achievements of all time, we’ve been inspired to
look back at other great horses to have taken to the track over the last decade. From Curlin to Wise
Dan, here are our top picks:
Curlin
Having secured victory in the Preakness Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Classic, as well as many other race
victories over the last decade, Curlin and his trainer could have easily called time on a fantastic
career. However, in a gesture of goodwill by owner Jess Jackson, Curlin flew to Dubai, where he won
the prestigious Dubai World Cup. He then even went on to repeat his win in the Jockey Club Gold
Cup, won the Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs and topped it off by storming to claim
first place at Woodward Stakes at Saratoga.
American Pharoah
During the late 70’s when Affirmed claimed the Triple Crown, it became so difficult to emulate that
achievement that changing the time span between races was mooted. That never materialized but it
took 37 years for another Triple Crown winner to pop up when this Bob Baffert trainee won it in
2015. The horse already won the Eclipse Award for being the best 2-year-old male, before going on
to complete what was named the “Grand Slam” of racing adding a Breeders’ Cup Classic to his Triple
Crown.
Wise Dan
Wise Dan is still the only horse to claim Horse of the Year, champion turf horse and winner of the
older male award in consecutive years between 2012-2013. Trained by Charlie LoPresti, he
triumphed on all conditions and even on two different synthetic surfaces.
He also claimed many noteworthy stakes twice: The Firecracker in 2011 and 2013 the Fourstardave
Handicap (2012, 2013) and the Woodbine Mile (2012, 2013)- amongst others; truly a one-of-a-kind.
Arrogate
At the peak of his powers, Arrogate was truly unstoppable. Following maiden victories in a few
allowance races against older runners, the Baffert trainee stepped up to the next level and
competed in the Grade 1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga three years ago. In a field that included strong
competition in the form of winners of the Preakness and Belmont Stakes, the 3-year-old won by 13
½ lengths and broke the track record held by General Assembly for nearly 4. In the following
Breeders’ Cup Classic, Arrogate then pulled off a stunning run to defeat Horse of the Year California
Chrome and cement his status as a true great.
