Celebrating Therfield's Grand National champ, 100 years on

A century on from a Therfield-trained horse's long-shot victory at the 1924 Grand National, a pub is leading commemorations ahead of this year's race.

Cast-off horse Master Robert overcame rejection and injury to win the world's biggest steeplechase, ridden by similarly unfancied stand-in jockey Bob Trudgill.

Master Robert's victory at Aintree came after time spent in 1921 and 1922 at Park Farm, Therfield Manor, with his then-owner HJ Fordham.

With this year's Grand National to be held on Saturday at Aintree, Fox and Duck landlord Ivan Titmuss said it was truly special to have such a connection to the great race's history.

Ivan said: "For a rural community like ours, this kind of achievement is something to be celebrated. An underdog story like this is something everyone can relate to.

"We'll be proud to mark the centenary at the pub, and anyone who wants to join us is more than welcome."

Master Robert (above) won the Grand National 100 years ago

New York-based Francis X Murray, author of a book about Master Robert, described his victory as "the consummate Grand National story".

Francis said: "Master Robert battled lameness in the weeks leading up to the Grand National, and faced three past winners of the event, as well as the hottest favourite on record, Conjuror II. And several of the most famous jockeys of the day had mounts.

"Master Robert's regular jockey refused to ride because of Master Robert's lameness.

"No fashionable rider would take the ride. Bob Trudgill was a journeyman jockey, unattached to a stable, who was never in position to turn down a ride.

"The day before the Grand National, in a race at Aintree, Trudgill was thrown from his mount, Charlie Wise, and injured. Despite doctor's orders not to ride, Trudgill would not be denied his opportunity."

Trudgill's winning saddle is on display at Aintree to this day.

Francis has a personal connection to Master Robert, who was once owned by his great-grand-uncle Patrick Murray in Ireland.

The Fox and Duck is in the regional finals for the Muddy Stilettos Awards 2024 in the Best Destination Pub category, for which voting is under way. 

For more about The Fox and Duck, see https://thefoxandduck.co.uk/.