Maori Venture

Maori Venture
BreedThoroughbred
SireSt. Columbus
GrandsireSaint Crespin
DamMoon Venture
DamsireEastern Venture
SexGelding
Foaled1976
CountryUnited Kingdom
ColourChestnut
BreederDai Morgan
OwnerJim Joel
TrainerAndrew Turnell
Major wins
Mandarin Handicap Chase (1984, 1987)
Grand National (1987)

Maori Venture (1976–2000) was a thoroughbred racehorse noted for winning the 1987 Grand National.[1][2][3] The horse was so-named because breeder Dai Morgan had played rugby in New Zealand, home to the Māori.

An eleven-year-old owned by Jim Joel, trained by Andrew Turnell he was stabled in East Hendred, Oxfordshire.[4] He was ridden by Steve Knight. Carrying 10 st 13 lb, Maori Venture won the race by five lengths at a price of 28/1 and in a time of 9 min 19.3 s.[5][6] It was both Maori Venture's first and last race in a Grand National.[2]

At the time of the race, owner Jim Joel was aged 92 and had been trying to win the Grand National since 1957. Maori Venture was retired from racing immediately after the race and given to his rider in the Grand National, Steve Knight.[2][7]

Maori Venture died in 2000, aged 24.[8]

  1. ^ "Maori Venture". www.pedigreequery.com. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  2. ^ a b c "Maori Venture". www.grand-national.me.uk. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  3. ^ "Maori Venture". Sporthorse-data. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  4. ^ "Maori Venture's win is the crown in Joel's career". The Glasgow Herald. 6 April 1987. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  5. ^ "Grand National winners and results". www.aintree.co.uk. Archived from the original on 15 April 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  6. ^ "Grand National 1-2-3". Archived from the original on 26 May 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  7. ^ "Steve Knight". Richard Hannon racing. Archived from the original on 18 August 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  8. ^ "Maori Venture dies; Grand National winner fulfilled a lifelong ambition for owner". Racing Post. 18 February 2000. Retrieved 13 September 2013.