Freebooter: 1950 Grand National Winner

Today at the Cheltenham Festival the Champion Chase is prefixed with “The Queen Mother” such was her contribution and enthusiasm towards National Hunt racing.

Her light blue colours were omnipresent in jumps racing, Lord Mildmay was responsible for her burgeoning interest. Along with trainer Peter Cazalet Lord Mildmay sourced Monaveen, the horse that in 1950’s National provided the Queen Mum with her first run in the Nations biggest steeplechase.

However there was no fairy-tale ending as victory went to Freebooter, a County Wexford bred horse by Steel Point out of Proud Fury. Jimmy Power gave a tremendously brave ride, which including ploughing through the Chair.

The first three home were all trained in Yorkshire, and with a winning margin of 15 lengths Freebooter proved a true champion.