The first Grand National horse race took place on February 26, 1839, at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England. The race was designed to be a challenging test of endurance for both horse and rider, featuring a course that included 30 jumps over a distance of 4 miles and 514 yards. The winner of the first race was a horse named Lottery, who finished the course in just under 14 minutes. Today, the Grand National remains one of the most popular horse races in the world, attracting millions of viewers and bettors each year. The race is known for its unpredictable nature, with long odds and surprising outcomes!