Member Article

Former champion Amberleigh House is surprise guest at spectacular Crabbie’s Grand National launch

VIP guests and the world’s media experienced the entire three-day Crabbie’s Grand National Festival in one evening at Liverpool venue Camp and Furnace as Aintree Racecourse officially launched the 2014 event.

And at the star-studded event one special guest stood literally head and shoulders above the rest. Halewood-owned Amberleigh House made a rare social appearance almost a decade after becoming the last National winning horse trained by the man who masterminded triple winner Red Rum’s success, the legendary Ginger McCain.

Meeting the Thoroughbred was the final flourish of an evening of surprises and fun for celebrity guests and prominent local figures.

This year for the first time Crabbie’s, made by Liverpool drinks manufacturer Halewood International, will sponsor The Grand National. To mark the partnership they teamed up with Aintree Racecourse, part of The Jockey Club to put on the most lavish launch event in the history of the race.

Guests were first ushered into the drinks reception where they were treated to a live band representing the Grand Opening day.

From there they were led into day two – Ladies Day. Glamorous dancers took to the stage with a ‘Bob Fosse’ choreographed medley routine to highlight the glitz, style and glamour of Ladies Day.

Following the Ladies Day show guests were shown a re-run of the 2004 Grand National where Halewood-owned Amberleigh House was crowned winner leading into the unveiling of the evening’s special VIP guest. From behind the picket fencing constructed to replicate the parade ring invited guests were introduced to Grand National winner Amberleigh House.

“We are incredibly proud to be working with the Grand National and, being a multi-national company based in Liverpool, we wanted to show the world how great next year’s event will be,” said Peter Eaton, international business manager at Halewood International.

“The Grand National is one of the biggest sporting events in the world so to launch it we needed to do something special and we have worked in conjunction with the team at Aintree and The Jockey Club to deliver this spectacular event”

Next year’s Crabbie’s Grand National will have the biggest top prize in the history of a steeplechase which dates back to 1839. The 2014 winner will take home a cheque for £1million but they will earn every penny as they negotiate the ultimate jump course.

John Baker, regional director of The Jockey Club, said that following the launch, the time to get the best tickets The Crabbie’s Grand National 2014 was now.

“Tickets are available now and we are expecting to sell out,” he said. “Liverpool, the British public and the wider racing fraternity support this race in phenomenal numbers every year. If you want to be a part of it and experience first-hand the excitement of this unique event, my advice is to book early.”

To book tickets for the The Crabbie’s Grand National 2014, which takes place from Thursday 3rd to Saturday, April 5, visit ,www.thecrabbiesgrandnational.co.uk or call 0844 579 3001 (tickets) or 0151 522 2911 (hospitality).

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