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'Unbelievable' 100/1 Grand National winner ended 40-year wait before death of jockey, 34


A LOOK BACK: In 2009, Mon Mome, ridden by Liam Treadwell, became the first 100/1 Grand National winner since Foinavon pulled off a stunning victory at the same price back in 1967

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 04:  Liam Treadwell on Mon Mome celebrates after winning the John Smith's Grand National Steeple Chase Handicap on Mon Mome at Aintree on April 4, 2009 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Liam Treadwell died 11 years after triumphing at the Grand National(Image: Warren Little/Getty Images)

Sometimes, the bookies get it wrong. There was no clearer case of that than back in 2009 when Mon Mome became the first horse to win the Grand National at odds of 100/1 in more than 40 years.

The late Liam Treadwell, who was 23 at the time, was first past the post, as the astonished crowd at Aintree Racecourse witnessed history. It was also an historic day for the fact that Venetia Williams became only the second women to ever train a Grand National winner.

Mon Mome emulated Foinavon’s achievement in 1967, the last time a horse had won at 100/1 odds. It was such a strong race from Mon Mome that he finished 12 lengths clear of the previous year’s winner, Comply Or Die, who could only manage second place.

“How can you ever expect that in a race like this?” Williams said after the victory. “It was just unbelievable, the owner was watching the wrong horse for the first part of the race and she thought it was out the back.

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“I’m so proud of the horse. I’m so proud of [jockey] Liam [Treadwell] for giving him such a good ride, and the girl who looks after him as well. I’m so proud of everyone in the yard – I never get chance to praise them and give them the credit they deserve, it is all a team effort.”

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Aside from Mon Mome and Foinavon, there’ve been three other 100/1 winners since the Grand National started all the way back in 1839. Tipperary Tim claimed the crown in 1928, also the same year a new record was set for the fewest horses to finish a Grand National.

Even more surprisingly, another 100/1 shot won the following year, as Gregalach raced to victory. And in 1947, Caughoo simply dominated the race and proved the doubters wrong, just as Mon Mome did 16 years ago this weekend.

Treadwell, who passed away in 2020, added after the defining moment of his career: “It’s an absolutely unbelievable finish, I had the perfect run through the race, he jumped brilliant for me. It hasn’t sunk in yet, all I can say at this moment in time is it is unbelievable. A couple of times loose horses fell upsides me and went under his legs but it didn’t really affect the horse.

Who’ll win the 2025 Grand National? Give us your prediction in the comments section.

LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 04: Trainer Venetia Williams kissing jockey Liam Treadwell with their trophies for winning the Grand National with Mon Mome at Aintree, 4th April 2009.  (Photo by Trevor Jones/Popperfoto via Getty Images)
Venetia Williams made history by training the winning horse(Image: Trevor Jones/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

“He gave me such a great ride. He was an absolute pleasure to ride. He is so genuine. I had a quick look round but I wasn’t really sure how far in front I was.”

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Treadwell, aged 34, was found dead at his home in Shropshire in June 2020 after taking a cocktail of drugs. An inquest heard that they were predominantly an animal painkillers and class A drugs.

He’d struggled with depression after suffering concussion from a fall in 2016. Treadwell’s friend and fellow jockey, James Banks, had taken his own life four months earlier.



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