The Grand National Festival is an annual, highly anticipated horse racing event hosted at Aintree Racecourse in Merseyside. The festival is home to one of the biggest horse races in the world, the Grand National, bringing in around 150,000 live spectators and over 500 million viewers globally. The festival is by far one of the biggest in the horse racing calendar, with so much to offer, such as live music, high fashion, and a very popular opportunity for gambling with Grand National free bets. The culture surrounding the event makes it even more of an experience for people from around the world to come to get involved. With the Grand National Festival just around the corner, let’s take a look at what is upcoming for this year’s instalment.
How Does The Festival Work?
The Grand National Festival, as previously mentioned, is one of the biggest in the world, attracting some of the largest viewership and best talents taking part in the esteemed race. But how does the format work over the 3-day event? Firstly, we must note that there is a wide variety of different packages when it comes to tickets and added extras, with some tickets featuring hospitality and catering and some including only entry to the racecourse itself.
Opening Day
The opening day of the Grand National Festival 2025 takes place on Thursday, 3rd April, and kicks off the 3-day event. Typically, this day pulls the least crowd as it is the least popular race day. Despite this, the atmosphere is still incredible as people begin what will be an exciting 3 days of top-class horse racing. The opening day features 7 races, starting at 1.45 pm. Some of the more popular races on this day include the Aintree Bowl Steeple Chase and the Aintree Hurdle.
Ladies Day
This is one of the highlight days of the festival, with plenty of entertainment unfolding. Ladies Day has lots of highly skilled Grade 1 races and also features the most fashionable day, with people turning up in their most fashionable attire with prizes to be won. The main focus of the day, however, is the highly prestigious races that are to take place, 7 in total. Some of the biggest races on this day include the Melling Steeple Chase, the Top Novices Hurdle, the Topham Handicap Steeple Chase and the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle.
Grand National Day
Grand National Day is the most anticipated day of the whole festival, hosting some of the best jockeys and the highly prestigious Grand National race. The winner of this highly esteemed race will take home a £500,000 prize, with £1,000,000 featured in the total prize pool. However, there are many other races on this day that are highly awaited, including the Liverpool Hurdle race, the Maghull Novice’s Steeple Chase, the Handicap Steeple Chase, the Handicap Hurdle Race and the main event, the Grand National.
Who Are The Jockeys To Watch?
Typically, Aintree brings some of the most talented and well-known jockeys to feature in the 3-day festival. 2025 is no different in terms of seeing some of the most talented jockeys, so who can we expect to see?
Paul Townend
Paul Townend is one of the most highly respected jockeys in the world, with an extremely decorated career, including 4 Cheltenham Gold Cups and previously winning the Grand National in 2024. The jockey is a serial winner when it comes to a wide variety of races, which makes him a very key figure in any race that he participates in. Paul Townend is definitely one to keep an eye on in this year’s Grand National.
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy is another rider who has a relatively well-built foundation behind them that supports them being one of the jockeys to watch at this year’s Grand National. Jack Kennedy has had a relatively successful career thus far, winning his first Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2021 and claiming a 2nd place finish in the Grand National 2024.
Derek Fox
Another big name in the racing industry, Derek Fox, is a jockey who could impress again at this year’s Grand National. Fox is a two-time Grand National winner with 2 previous victories in 2017 and 2023 and could be set to add a 3rd to his list.
He was one of the favourites in last year’s event; however, he was unseated by the horse he had won the previous year with. Both Fox and Kennedy will be looking to make amends for last year’s performance.
Rachael Blackmore
The history maker Rachael Blackmore could also be one to watch for the upcoming Grand National. Blackmore became the first female to win the prestigious race, making history, and could look to be the first female to win 2 Grand Nationals.
Final Thoughts
The Grand National Festival provides a great mix of activities, family entertainment, and great racing action throughout the 3-day event. There is plenty of action and some great jockeys on display that can make for some thrilling races.
