Member Article

Crabbie’s Grand National plans to spice up 2014 launch with mystery guest

A veil of secrecy surrounds plans for the biggest ever Grand National launch event in history.

To celebrate the new partnership between the nation’s favourite horse race and Crabbie’s alcoholic ginger beer, Aintree bosses have been working hard behind a wall of security to create a launch party the like of which has never been seen before.

Invited guests will be delighted and surprised by what the organisers have in store on Wednesday, October 9 at contemporary Liverpool City Centre venue Camp and Furnace – but the details, including a special mystery guest – remain a closely-guarded secret.

“We cannot reveal what we have planned for the official launch of the Crabbie’s Grand National,” said John Baker, Regional Director for the Jockey Club. “But we can guarantee guests will never have experienced anything like this before. They will experience the grandest show and the greatest drama, just as those attending the meeting next year will.”

All they will reveal at this stage is that Peter Eaton of Halewood International – the company behind Crabbie’s – and John Baker himself will each play key roles in proceedings.

The Grand National is the most valuable jump race in Europe. Last year’s Ryan Mania-ridden winner, Auroras Encore, secured £975,000 in prize money. The 2014 Grand National is poised to be the first to offer a £1 million top prize.

Run since 1839, the race is a supreme test of the ability of both riders and horses. Broadcast on Channel Four, it is a fixture which has for decades captured the attention of the nation, from hardened racing fans to families enjoying their annual flutter. Around 600 million TV viewers across the globe tune in to the race in more than 140 countries.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Dan Minchin .