He’s won almost everything there is to win in National Hunt racing but how many times has Nicky Henderson won the Grand National?
Nicky Henderson Grand National Winners – How Many Does He Have?
Lambourn trainer Nicky Henderson is one of the most decorated horse racing trainers of this generation but he has NEVER won the Aintree Grand National – which is quite the surprise.
Henderson has won the Cheltenham Gold Cup twice, nine Champion Hurdles, eight Arkles, six Supremes, seven Triumphs – his Festival honours go on and on.
But despite training for over 45 years, Henderson is yet to win the feature at Aintree. With 78 Cheltenham Festival winners, there’s not much more for him left to achieve, other than winning the Grand National.
He’s never won the Irish, Welsh or Scottish equivalents either, but then again Henderson wouldn’t exactly be known for having the largest cohort of staying chasers.
1979 Saw The First Ever Nicky Henderson Grand National Runner
Just months after joining the training ranks in Lambourn, Henderson would saddle his first Grand National runner in 1979.
And Zongalero wasn’t fancied but achieved and matched Henderson’s best-ever finish in the race when he came second.
He would also train The Tsarevich who was runner-up in 1987 and since then, the 75-year-old has not achieved a better finish.
Henderson has had other horses finish in the top 10 over the years, but nothing as good as second since The Tsarevich and Zongalero. That said, when Willie Mullins is searching for a third win in a row, it can be tough to compete.
Nicky Henderson Grand National Meeting Graded Winners Stand At 43
Whilst he’s never had one of the Grand National winners, Henderson has enjoyed huge success at the meeting with 43 victories.
With six wins in each of the Aintree Hurdle, Top Novices’ Hurdle and the Mildmay Novices’ Chase, we can expect his horses to be prominent in these markets once again this season.
Horses like Constitution Hill and Jonbon have both been victorious at Aintree. Shishkin, Sprinter Sacre, the list goes on.
WATCH: Constitution Hill Wins 2023 Aintree Hurdle
Every Single Graded Winner At Grand National Meeting For Henderson
- Aintree Hurdle (6) – Oscar Whisky (2011, 2012), Buveur d’Air (2017), L’Ami Serge (2018), Epatante (2022), Constiution Hill (2023)
- Top Novices’ Hurdle (6) – General Miller (2010), Darlan (2012), My Tent Or Yours (2013), Josses Hill (2014), Buveur d’Air (2016), Jonbon (2022)
- Mildmay Novices’ Chase (6) – Sparkling Flame (1991), Irish Hussar (2003), Burton Port (2010), Might Bite (2017), Terrefort (2018), Chantry House (2021)
- Melling Chase (5) – Remittance Man (1992), Finian’s Rainbow (2012), Sprinter Sacre (2013), Jonbon (2024, 2025)
- Anniversary 4-Y-O Novices’ Hurdle (4) – Binocular (2008), We Have A Dream (2018), Pentland Hills (2019), Sir Gino (2024)
- Maghull Novices’ Chase (4) – Finian’s Rainbow (2011), Sprinter Sacre (2012), Shishkin (2021), Jonbon (2023)
- Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (4) – Rustle (1988), Beat That (2014), Santini (2018), Champ (2019)
- Manifesto Novices’ Chase (2) – Mad Max (2010), Captain Conan (2013)
- Aintree Bowl (2) – Might Bite (2018), Shishkin (2023)
- Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (2) – Spirit Son (2011), Simonsig (2012)
- Liverpool Hurdle (2) – Whisper (2014, 2015)
Hyland Is Only Nicky Henderson Grand National Entry
Henderson holds just one position in the race, with HYLAND a Grand National-entered grey horse, but it’s highly unlikely that he’ll get a run.
Hyland was ran in one of the recent best Grand National trial races last time when finishing sixth in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.
However, it’s unlikely that we’ll see him at Aintree. The likeable grey is currently number 45 in the weights and with a maximum of 34 runners, he’d need 11 horses to come out.
He ran in the race last year carrying 10st 6lbs and would run off a 5lb lower mark this time around if he got in.
His current odds of 100/1 do suggest it would be a tough ask anyway. But if 11 horses do come out of the race, Hyland would have the chance to become Henderson’s first Grand National winner.
