Arkle, Brown Lad and Intense Raffles: Who are the Most Famous Irish Grand National Champions?
The Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse Racecourse has long been one of the crown jewels of Irish racing, delivering exhilarating moments and legendary winners since its inception in 1870. Over the decades, this demanding test of stamina, skill, and jumping ability over three miles and five furlongs has been won by some of the most iconic horses in the sport.
From Arkle, arguably the greatest steeplechaser of all time, to Brown Lad, the only horse to win the race three times, and Intense Raffles, the most recent victor in 2024, this illustrious steeplechase has played host to some of the most remarkable stories in the horse racing industry.
Below, we take a look at five of the race’s most famous champions and their lasting impact on the event.
Sir Robert Peel (1870) – The First Ever Winner
The Irish Grand National’s rich history began with Sir Robert Peel, the first-ever winner of the race in 1870. Named after the former British Prime Minister, this horse laid the foundation for what would become one of Ireland’s most celebrated sporting events.
While details about his racing career are scarce, his place in Fairyhouse folklore is cemented as the horse that started it all. Over 150 years later, the Irish Grand National remains a hugely prestigious event, and it all began with Sir Robert Peel’s victory.
Arkle (1964) – The Greatest of Them All?
No discussion about legendary racehorses is complete without Arkle. Regarded as the best steeplechaser of all time, his dominance across the 1960s was unprecedented. His victory in the 1964 Irish Grand National was a clear display of his class and power, as he carried an immense 12 stone (76.2 kg) to victory – a weight that would have troubled many other horses in their tracks.
Trained by Tom Dreaper and ridden by Pat Taaffe, Arkle didn’t just win – he demolished the competition. His success at Fairyhouse was just one part of a glittering career that included three Cheltenham Gold Cups (1964, 1965, 1966) and victories in the King George VI Chase, Hennessy Gold Cup, and Leopardstown Chase.
His Timeform rating of 212 remains the highest ever awarded to a steeplechaser, and his legacy in Irish racing is untouchable. Statues, pub names, and racing folklore all pay tribute to Arkle’s once-in-a-lifetime talent.
Brown Lad (1975, 1976, 1978) – The Triple Champion
While Arkle is revered for his all-round greatness, Brown Lad holds a record that no other horse has matched – three Irish Grand National triumphs.
Trained by Jim Dreaper, the son of Tom, Brown Lad was the ultimate Fairyhouse specialist, thriving over the tough distance and jumping test. His first win in 1975 made him one to watch, but his further triumphs in 1976 and 1978 turned him into an Irish racing icon.
Winning the race once is an achievement; winning it three times is the mark of a true legend. To this day, no horse has equaled his hat-trick of victories, making him one of the most dominant National Hunt horses in Irish history.
Bobbyjo (1998) – The Fairyhouse Champion Who Conquered Aintree
Some Irish Grand National winners leave a lasting impression at Fairyhouse, while others go on to achieve even greater things. Bobbyjo was one such horse.
Trained by Tommy Carberry and ridden by his son Paul Carberry, Bobbyjo’s 1998 Irish Grand National win was a moment of family triumph. However, his biggest claim to fame came the following year when he won the 1999 Aintree Grand National, becoming the first Irish-trained horse in 24 years to do so up until that moment.
His triumph at Fairyhouse paved the way for Aintree glory the following year, cementing his place in racing history. His legacy lives on through the Bobbyjo Chase, a prestigious Grade Three trial held annually at Fairyhouse, as well as a self-titled hospitality bistro suite at the course. Last year, the Bobbyjo Chase was claimed by Willie Mullins’ Nick Rockett in February – before he, too, went on to capture Grand National glory at Aintree in early April.
Intense Raffles (2024) – The Latest Champion
The 2024 BoyleSports Irish Grand National produced a truly unforgettable winner in Intense Raffles, who defied the odds with a performance full of courage, resilience, and raw ability. Trained by Tom Gibney and ridden by JJ Slevin, the six-year-old overcame youth, a hefty weight, and even a heart-stopping error at a crucial stage to storm home in front of an electrified crowd of 16,758 spectators at Fairyhouse.
In doing so, Intense Raffles carved out a place in history as only the third six-year-old to claim the race since 2000. Even more impressively, he carried 11st 4lb to victory – a burden not successfully shouldered since Our Duke in 2017. Before that, one must return to Commanche Court in 2000 to find another horse that triumphed under such weight.
For both Slevin and Gibney, this victory marked their second Irish Grand National success, adding to their growing reputations in Irish racing. But for Intense Raffles, the triumph stands as a hallmark point to really kick off and have a fruitful career.
Conclusion
The Irish Grand National has produced some of racing’s greatest champions, from Sir Robert Peel’s historic first win in 1870 to Arkle’s unmatched dominance in 1964 and Brown Lad’s record-breaking three victories. Some, like Bobbyjo, used Fairyhouse as a springboard to even greater success, while the latest champion, Intense Raffles (2024), proved that the race continues to create new legends. As history shows, Fairyhouse is where champions are made, and each renewal adds another unforgettable chapter to this iconic race.