When it comes to picking your Grand National horses there are many favoured options – especially for the ‘once-a-year’ punters.
These include siding with a favourite name, number or some eye-catching jockey colours and, of course, backing the Grand National grey horses in the race.
Dessert Orchid Started The ‘Grey Horse Crazy’ In The 1980’s – But NEVER Ran In The National
Since the most famous grey horse of all time – Desert Orchid – landed four King George VI Chases between 1986 and 1990, plus the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1989 – the ‘silver fox’ horses have had a soft spot with UK and Irish horse racing punters.
And despite Dessie never running in the Grand National, the contest has since had a strong link to grey horses that run in the race.
Mainly, as a lot of the general public, and the lesser horse racing fans that crawl out of the betting woodwork, would love to see a Grand National grey horse land the big prize.
Maybe it’s because there are 34 runners, and it’s easier to spot a grey horse in the crowd to follow through the race.
Or is it just that the greys are deemed the better-looking horses?
Who knows? But whatever the reasoning, grey horses and the Grand National seem to go ‘hand-in-hand’ these days.
All this despite there actually only ever being THREE grey Grand National winners.
But even with this poor strike-rate, we can be sure that many punters will still want to bet on the Grand National grey horses in 2026.
So read on and we’ll list we’ve horses to look out for on Saturday 11th April that are officially described as GREY.
How Many Grey Horses Have Won The Grand National?
Neptune Collonges Won The Grand National in 2012 – The Last Grey Horse To Land The Race
Grand National Grey Horse Winners (3)
- THE LAMB (1868 & 1871)
- NICOLAUS SILVER (1961)
- NEPTUNE COLLONGES (2012)
Only THREE grey horses have won the Grand National – which, for a race that’s been running since 1839, is a surprisingly poor return.
Actually, even though only three grey horses have won the Grand National. We have in fact seen FOUR winners.
As The Lamb won the race twice.
Over the years, it’s a tricky (pretty impossible) task to pin down exactly how many grey horses have lined up in total.
As records from the 1800s are, understandably, a bit patchy.
Still, even allowing for that, non-greys have vastly outnumbered their eye-catching silver counterparts.
The win strike rate of just 0.0227% across the last 176 runnings speaks for itself.
After The Lamb notched up his two wins in 1868 and 1871, the next Grand National grey horse to win was Nicolaus Silver, who scored back in 1961.
He was trained by Fred Rimmell and ridden by Bobby Beasley, Winning at 28/1 with just 10st 1lb on his back (watch below).
Neptune Collonges The Latest Grand National Grey Winner
The most recent grey winner was Neptune Collonges in 2012 (watch below).
He was trained by former Champion handler Paul Nicholls and remains his sole winner in the big Aintree race.
Aged 11 at the time of his win, he just got home under jockey Daryl Jacob. Seeing off Sunnyhillboy by just a nose that year (watch below).
Neptune Collonges became the first Grand National grey horse winner in over 50 years and remains the most recent.
WATCH: Neptune Collonges Winning The 2012 Grand National at Aintree
Grand National Grey Horses Running In 2026
After the latest Grand National scratchings date on Tuesday 24th March, Gold Cup 4th Grey Dawning was taken out of the race.
As was another silver fox runner – Gentlemansgame, who is trained by 2016 winner of the race Mouse Morris.
Plus, 150/1 shot Stolen Silver also won’t run.
Meaning after these removals – there are just THREE possible Grand National grey runners in 2026.
MARBLE SANDS
Being numbered 33, then Marble Sands is IN the race as it stands and could be the ONLY Grand National grey horse in 2026.
Trained by David Killahena and Graeme McPherson, this 10yold was only 10st 5lbs in weight and has been kept fresh for the race.
He was last seen on Boxing Day running second in the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby behind Konfusion.
While prior to that was a nice winner at the Cheltenham November Meeting over 3m 3 1/2f. Meaning, there is every hope he’ll last the longer trip.
Marble Sands has also tasted the unique Grand National fences in the past. When 12th (of 30) in the Topham Chase at the meeting in 2025.
So, with course experience, a low weight and proven stamina over 3m+, there are probably worse 100/1 shots in the race.
Could Marble Sands make it a ‘grey day’ on Saturday April 11th?
🎲Grand National Betting Odds: 100/1
HYLAND
Trainer Nicky Henderson has NEVER won the Grand National – so if getting in and winning Hyland could be his first.
However, this possible Grand National grey runner is currently numbered 45. And with a maximum 34 runners, will need 11 horses to still come out.
If getting lucky, Hyland will love better ground and was 6th in the one of the best Grand National trial races last time.
Which is the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Two of the last four winners of the National contested that same race.
While Hyland actually ran in the race 12 months ago – when pulled up.
He carried 10st 6lbs that day but would have 5lbs less this time (if making the cut).
🎲Grand National Betting Odds: 100/1
HARRY DES ONGRAIS
Like Hyland, this Henry De Bromhead runner will need horses ahead of him to come out in order to make the final 34 runners.
With Harry Des Ongrais numbered 46 at the moment.
He was last seen running 7th over hurdles at Naas and before that finished midfield at the DRF at Leopardstown.
If getting in, this would be his first run in the Grand National but is looked after by a former winning trainer of the race.
With De Bromhead winning the famous prize in 2021 with one of the JP McManus Grand National runners that year – Minella Times.
Harry Des Ongrais was also pulled up in the 2025 Irish Grand National that Haiti Couleurs won at Fairyhouse.
🎲Grand National Betting Odds: 150/1
2026 Grand National Date🗓️
This year’s Grand National 2026 will be held on Saturday 11th April 2026 at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool.
The time of the Grand National is 4:00pm – and here are the dates for the three-day meeting.
- Day 1 – Thursday 9th April 2026
- Day 2 – Friday 10th April 2026
- Day 3 – Saturday 11th April 2026
You can also see the race live on the ITV Racing schedule.
