Britain’s most iconic horse race is simply mere days away with hundreds anticipated to show as much as witness the historic occasion.
This yr the largest soar race on the planet has undergone some modifications nonetheless, with the variety of runners diminished to 34 in comparison with the standard 40.
The 4 mile, two-and-a-half furlong race will get underway at 4pm on Saturday, led by final yr’s winner Corach Rambler, with the lucky winner anticipated to stroll away with a whopping prize quantity of £561,300.
Some jockeys using on this yr’s steeplechase epic nonetheless will already rely themselves as winners due to their love lives away from the blood and thunder of their day jobs.
So who’re companions behind the jockeys’ success? Under, Mail Sport takes a take a look at the WAGs from the Grand National…
The 2024 Grand Nationwide will happen at 4pm on Saturday, April 13
Final yr’s winner Corach Rambler is among the many 34 horse subject who will compete within the race
Brendan Powell – Lucy Barry
Steady jockey for Colin Tizzard, Brendan Powell JR is ready to trip on this yr’s Grand Nationwide on full outsider Eldorado Allen educated by Joe Tizzard.
Powell is at the moment relationship former jockey Lucy Barry. Barry a twin objective jockey who excelled in each soar and flat racing introduced her retirement from the game again in 2021.
The ex jockey revealed she determined to step away from the game after struggling consuming issues and psychological well being issues.
She now works for Melbourne 10 Racing while additionally managing a farm and has additionally ventured into the world of Bloodstock.
Steady jockey for Colin Tizzard, Brendan Powell JR is at the moment relationship former jockey Lucy Barry
Harry Skelton – Bridget Andrews
Anticipated to trip for Willie Mullins’ nephew Emmett, Harry Skelton will seem within the 2024 Grand Nationwide mounted on Noble Yeats.
Skelton has a conventional jockey love story, discovering love throughout the stables with fellow soar jockey Bridget Andrews.
The jockey energy couple bought hitched in 2019 they usually each take pleasure in getting away after they have a break day collectively.
Harry stated to us again in 2019: ‘When racing is off and I’ve bought a free day, me and Bridget do wish to get away. We have two whippets, we wish to take them off for a stroll, after using out although.’
Willie Mullins’ nephew Harry Skelton bought hitched to fellow soar jockey Bridget Andrews in 2019
Sean Bowen – Harriet Matthews
Welsh jockey Sean Bowen is predicted to trip one of many 9 runners Irish coach Gordon Elliott he has entered into the race.
Bowen has been together with his girlfriend Harriet Matthews since 2016 and the couple are keen on the odd journey or two.
The 2 have have repeatedly been noticed jet-setting across the globe when Bowen will not be using, with the pair seen on vacation within the likes of Madrid, Kos and Mykonos, whereas they’ve additionally been snowboarding in France.
Matthews works for Paul Nicholls Racing, that means that is one other all-racing couple they usually personal a sausage canine referred to as Dottie.
Welsh jockey might be supported this weekend by his girlfriend Harriet Matthews
Matthews poses with the couple’s beloved sausage canine Dottie on vacation
Sean Flanagan – Lauren Carragher
Irish jockey Sean Flanagan will trip one of many stronger contenders for this weekend’s large race.
Flanagan is predicted to trip for coach Gavin Cromwell on final yr’s runner-up Vanillier.
Though lots of the WAGs beforehand talked about stem from a horse background, Sean’s spouse Lauren Carragher knew little or no in regards to the subject previous to assembly Sean.
Talking to the Irish Discipline after the pairs engagement Lauren revealed she knew nothing of racing or equine world however she’s ‘studying the ropes’.
The couple who bought married again in 2021, share two kids collectively Lilah and L.J.
Sean Flanagan is married with two kids and is a robust contender this weekend
Rachael Blackmore – Brian Hayes
One other horse-tale ending – earlier Grand Nationwide winner Rachael Blackmore is relationship fellow jockey Brian Hayes.
Hayes has rode for prime trainers like Emmet Mullins, Willie Mullins and the Bowe household.
Though the time period WAG cannot be implied on this occasion, it will be a discredit to Blackmore not point out her state of affairs as she is at the moment considered one of horse racing’s prime jockeys.
Former Grand Nationwide winner Rachael Blackmore might be cheered on by her companion and jockey Brian Hayes
Blackmore and Hayes’ relationship is fairly severe with the couple dwelling collectively since 2021.
Talking in 2021, Blackmore mirrored on her relationship as she stated: ‘I dwell with two different jockeys, Patrick Mullins and Brian Hayes. I’m going out with Brian Hayes, so there are three of us right here.
‘It’s a nice home to dwell in and it’s in a very good location in Leighlinbridge. It’s near all of the race tracks in Eire .
‘We do not speak about racing half as a lot as folks may suppose, it’s only a regular home after we come house.’
Blackmore will trip Henry De Bromhead educated Ain’t That A Disgrace within the Grand Nationwide.
Keith Donoghue – Sarah Dempsey
Irish jockey Keith Donoghue has spoken very candidly in regards to the highs and lows of his using profession.
The Meath native nonetheless has been in high-quality type this yr, that includes at Cheltenham and all.
The Irishman will trip Capodanno this weekend for WP Mullins and is predicted to be cheered on by his doting companion Sarah Dempsey.
The pair choose to maintain a low profile on the subject of their relationship however they’ve share varied snaps of each other whereas on trip collectively.
For instance, they had been seen snowboarding within the French Alps, whereas final yr Donoghue posted a photograph of them collectively on the coast in Villefranche-sur-Mer, which is within the luxurious Cote d’Azur area on the French Riviera.
One of many many {couples} on this checklist who wish to hold their relationship non-public, Irish jockey Keith Donoghue is predicted to be cheered on by his doting companion Sarah Dempsey on Saturday
Mark Walsh – Katie Younger
Mark Walsh and Kate Younger are Horse Racing’s star crossed lovers, described because the ‘Romeo and Juliet’ of horse racing.
Walsh is the son of coach and racing pundit Ted Walsh, while Younger works as a coach for Gordon Elliott Racing.
Which is without doubt one of the most famous and profitable yards within the sport, in truth the effectively revered yard has educated two-time Grand Nationwide winner Tiger Roll.
Walsh will trip 12/1 backed Limerick Lane educated by Gavin Cromwell on this yr’s Nationwide.
The trendy horse day ‘Romeo and Juliet’ Gold Cup successful jockey goes out with Gordon Elliott Racing coach Kate Younger
Paul Townend – Anna Paoletti
Gold Cup winner Paul Townend will trip one of many favourites for this yr’s Grand Nationwide.
Townend will trip final yr’s Irish Nationwide winner I Am Maximus, educated by WP Mullins and might be seeking to create historical past this weekend turning into one of many few to finish the double, successful each the Irish and British Grand Nationals.
Because the Irishman goals to create hisotry with I Am Maximus this weekend, he might be cheered on by Italian girlfriend Anna Paoletti.
Paul Townend might be cheered on this weekend by his Italian girlfriend Anna Paoletti
Horses are a key a part of their relationship, with Paoletti an Equine Sport Therapist after transferring to Eire in 2005 to review in that subject.
She relies in Kilkenny, the place she lives with Townend and the couple personal a small canine.
On the facet of her work in equine remedy, Paoletti sells eco-friendly Italian cosmetics by way of her personal on-line store.
