As the world’s most famous race, a lot of money is staked on the iconic Grand National. What sets this particular race apart from the rest is that even those with no interest in the sport will likely have a flutter, no matter how small, on the most gruelling of steeplechases. But just how much is bet on the Grand National?
One way to answer the question without digging into the figures is to suggest that around a third of the population in the UK alone have placed at least one bet on the Grand National in recent years. When you consider the population exceeds sixty-five million, tens of millions still flutter on the big race at Aintree. And that’s quite something.
What seems to be the case with each passing year where the Grand National is concerned is that it becomes bigger and better. And by bigger, we mean that more people tune in to watch the action unfold, and more people place bets, so the overall amount wagered gets bigger year on year. The 2023 Grand National certainly evidences this, and it was tipped to in the build-up.
The 2023 Grand National was the 175th running of the race, a race won by Irish horse Corach Rambler, trained by Lucinda Russell and ridden by jockey Derek Fox. It went off at 8/1 but was one of the more fancied horses in the field if the betting was anything to go by.
Corach Rambler finished 2 & ¼ lengths ahead of Vanillier, which finished second under Sean Flanagan. While the heavily fancied Willie Mullins-trained Gaillard Du Mesnil with Paul Townend on board came third, 4 & ¾ lengths behind Vanillier. The Grand National can produce winners and horses that place at big prices, which is one of the reasons why many choose this race to have a bet.
Now, we know what everyone will ask, “how much money is bet on the Grand National?” Well, the first thing to consider is the Grand National is actually a three-day meeting, and in 2023, it’s estimated that around £500 million was staked across the whole three days, which is quite something. But what’s even more telling and perhaps significant about that figure is that £150 million of it was wagered on the actual Grand National race that took place at 17:15 on April 15, 2023.
Grand National 2024 Figures
As is always the case with the Grand National, the expectations are for more to be staked across the three-day meeting and the legendary race in 2024. The event will begin at Aintree on April 11 and finish on April 13, with the Grand National again underway at 17:15 on the final day of the meeting.
In terms of actual figures and estimates, it’s hard to call, but if there was around £500 million bet across the three-day meeting at the 2023 Grand National and £150 million of that on the Grand National race alone, you can expect those numbers to be topped in 2024.
One of the reasons why more is bet each year on the Grand National is that the race itself is broadcast live in 140 countries. So, the global audience and total viewing figures should consistently hit the 600 million mark, which is some feat in its own right.
Even if only half of those watching the action live staked £1 on the race each, that would represent a total wagered amount of £300 million. And that’s not forgetting that many naturally bet more because this is the only horse race that they’re interested in throughout the year.
The accessibility of betting on the Grand National is also a positive because people can not place their bets on the race with a couple of taps on their phone screen, which is more convenient and much faster than having to visit a high street bookie on the day.
It’s also worth noting that there will be well in excess of 150,000 people visiting Aintree over the three days of each Grand National Festival. And on the final day, it’s often between 60,000 and 70,000 people in attendance to take in the showpiece race at 17:15.
With betting readily available at Aintree Racecourse in all areas of the complex, and many or even most of those in attendance likely to have a flutter, especially on the Grand National, more will be added to the overall amount wagered on the big race, potentially exceeding the million-pound mark.
As mentioned above, the 2023 Grand National set new records for how much was bet on the race and at the meeting, and 2024 will, on the face of things, eclipse those records. So, expect more than the £150 million staked on the race this year, with the figure potentially rising to closer to the £200 million mark.
