Apr 6, 2013

The 166th running of the Grand National Steeplechase was held on Saturday in Liverpool, England. The world’s most famous jumping race, the Grand National features 40 horses and riders jumping 30 fences over a distance of almost four and a half miles. For spectators, the race is an excuse for some outlandish race day fashions and a chance to earn some major quid. Essentially, think of the Grand National as Britain’s Preakness or Kentucky Derby – with whatever that entails.

: Auroras Encore, ridden by Ryan Mania, goes over the water jump during the Grand National horse race at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, north-west England, on April 6, 2013. The Grand National is run over a distance of four miles and four furlongs (7,242 metres), and is the biggest betting race in the United Kingdom. (Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images)

: Runners and riders jump the Chair during the Grand National Steeplechase at Aintree, northern England April 6, 2013. (Russell Cheyne/Reuters)

: Horses jump “The Chair” during the Grand National horse race at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, north-west England, on April 6, 2013. (Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images)

: Horses jump “The Chair” during the Grand National horse race at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, north-west England, on April 6, 2013. (Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images)

: Chicago Grey, ridden by Paul Carberry, jumps the water jump during the Grand National horse race at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, north-west England on April 6, 2013. (Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images)

: Racegoers watch the Grand National Steeplechase with binoculars at Aintree on April 6, 2013 in Liverpool, England. Millions of pounds are wagered on the 40 runners taking part in the race. (Danny E. Martindale/Getty Images)

: Racegoers enjoy Grand National Day at Aintree on April 6, 2013 in Liverpool, England. (Danny E. Martindale/Getty Images)

: Richie McLernon gets thrown from Sunnyhillboy at the last fence during the Grand National horse race at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, north-west England, on April 6, 2013. (Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images)

: Racegoers follow the first race on the final day of the Grand National horse race at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, north-west England, on April 6, 2013. (Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images)

: Sam Thomas, riding What A Friend, pulls up before the 19th fence in The John Smith’s Grand National Steeplechase at Aintree racecourse on April 06, 2013 in Liverpool, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

: Seabass, ridden by Katie Walsh, competes during the Grand National Steeplechase on the final day of the Grand National meeting at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, northern England, April 6, 2013. (Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)

: All the runners clear the first fence in the Grand National Steeplechase at Aintree racecourse on April 06, 2013 in Liverpool, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

: All the runners clear the first fence in the Grand National Steeplechase at Aintree racecourse on April 06, 2013 in Liverpool, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

: Jason Maguire riding Overturn competes during the Maghull Novices’ Steeplechase on the final day of the Grand National meeting horse race at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, north-west England, on April 6, 2013. (Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images)

: Racegoers follow the first race on the final day of the Grand National meeting horse race at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, north-west England, on April 6, 2013. (Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images)

: Gentlemen wear novelty waistcoats at Aintree racecourse on April 6, 2013 in Liverpool, England. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

: Mumbles Head, ridden by Jamie Moore, (left) refuses the last fence in front of Roberto Goldback (center) ridden by Barry Geraghty, as Quiscover Fontaine (right) ridden by DJ Casey runs into the fence during the Grand National Steeplechase at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, north-west England, on April 6, 2013. (Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images)

: Ryan Mania riding Auroras Encore (second left) jumps over the Chair on his way to win the Grand National Steeplechase at Aintree, northern England on April 6, 2013. Also seen are Swing Bill ridden by Conor O’Farrell (left), Quel Esprit ridden by Paul Townend (second from right) and Teaforthree ridden by Nick Scholfield (right). (Russell Cheyne/Reuters)

: Ryan Mania riding Auroras Encore (right) crosses the line to win the Grand National Steeplechase at Aintree, northern England April 6, 2013. (Russell Cheyne/Reuters)

: Auroras Encore ridden by Ryan Mania celebrates winning the Grand National Steeplechase at Aintree Racecourse on April 6, 2013 in Liverpool, England. (Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Grand National Steeplechase, Europe’s most famous jump race, held in UK

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