📝 Post Summary
The Grand National is famous for its surprising results, and there have been some incredible underdogs like Mon Mome, who shocked everyone with his 100/1 win in 2009, and Foinavon, whose chaotic 1967 victory became legendary after avoiding a major incident. These stories highlight the unpredictable nature of the race, proving that long shots can sometimes come out on top, making it a thrilling event for bettors.
The Grand National is known as one of the biggest horse racing events in matched betting for a reason: its unpredictability. With one of the largest fields in the sport and the huge, unforgiving track of Aintree, there have been plenty of unlikely winners throughout the years. Here, we are going to look back through the archives of the Grand National and look at some of the most shocking events in the Grand National, both in recent and late history.
Whilst last year’s winner of 2025, Nick Rockett, was placed at 33/1, this was quite a surprise in the market. However, throughout this blog post, we will see much bigger odds for horses that have won the Grand National.
Mon Mome – 2009 – (100/1)
A modern-day underdog story that still stands out, Mon Mome’s victory in 2009 caught many punters off guard. Sent off at 100/1, he was given very little attention in the build-up, with most of the focus on shorter-priced contenders. However, once the race got underway, he travelled smoothly, jumped accurately, and steadily moved into contention as others began to fade. Turning for home, he was still in with a chance, but few expected what followed.
After the final fences, he pulled clear of the field and stayed on strongly up the run-in to secure the unlikely win. It was not a fortunate or scrappy success either, as he won with authority, leaving little doubt about his performance on the day. For many bettors, it served as a clear example that even with modern form analysis, trends, and data, the Grand National can still produce results that defy expectations, making value betting a strategy worth considering.
Foinavon – 1967 – (100/1)
Arguably the most famous Grand National shock of all time, Foinavon’s 1967 victory has become part of horse racing folklore. Sent off at 100/1, he was never expected to trouble the leaders, and for much of the race he remained well off the pace. Everything changed at the 23rd fence, where a loose horse caused chaos, bringing down or severely hampering a large portion of the field. While others were caught up in the mayhem, Foinavon and his jockey managed to avoid the incident by veering wide, suddenly finding themselves with a clear path and an unexpected lead.
From there, he kept going steadily while rivals struggled to recover ground, eventually crossing the line well clear of the remaining runners. It wasn’t just the odds that made this win famous, but the sheer unpredictability of how it unfolded. The moment left such a lasting impression that the fence itself was later named after him, cementing this dark horse’s place in Grand National history. If you are looking to learn more about the Grand National, we have plenty more information pieces available on our matched betting blog.
Auroras Encore – 2013 – (66/1)
A true outsider who came from nowhere, Auroras Encore’s victory in 2013 was a result few saw coming. Sent off at 66/1, the underdog wasn’t prominent for much of the race and appeared to be outpaced as the field began to thin out. Turning for home, there were several more fancied runners ahead of him, and he still had ground to make up.
However, as others began to tire on the long run-in, he found another gear. Staying on strongly, he gradually reeled in the leaders before pulling clear to win by a comfortable margin. It was a performance built on endurance and timing rather than early positioning, underlining how crucial stamina is in a race of this nature. In a contest where so many fade late on, his ability to keep going made all the difference. If you are looking forward to the next Grand National event, we have a Grand National matched betting guide available on the site.
Noble Yeats – 50/1 – 2022
A special ending that few could have predicted, Noble Yeats’ victory in 2022 was a standout performance. Sent off at 50/1, he wasn’t among the leading fancies, but there were signs he had the stamina required for a test like this. Ridden by amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen in what was his final ride before retirement, the partnership gradually worked its way into contention as the race unfolded.
Approaching the closing stages, Noble Yeats began to stay on strongly while others weakened, moving into the lead after the last and keeping on well up the run-in. It was a composed and determined finish, rather than a fortunate one, and it capped off a memorable moment for connections. While his odds suggested he was an outsider, his staying ability and profile showed that he wasn’t without a chance, something bettors often look for when assessing higher odds runners.
Last Suspect – 50/1 – 1985
An unlikely competitor that stood out as a surprise, Last Suspect’s 1985 victory was as dramatic as it was unexpected. Sent off at 50/1, he wasn’t given much chance by the betting market and spent much of the race out of the spotlight. As the race reached its closing stages, he appeared to have little left to offer, especially after making a significant mistake that seemed to end any realistic hopes of winning.
However, as others began to tire on the demanding run-in, he found a second wind. Gradually regaining momentum, he stayed on strongly and worked his way back into contention before getting up to win close home. It was a finish that summed up the unpredictable nature of the race, where fortunes can change quickly, and races are rarely over until the line is crossed.
Grand National Betting At OddsMonkey
The Grand National is known to be one of the biggest events in horse racing, due to its intrigue and top-level competition. If you are interested in learning more about the event, we have a Grand National Betting Offers guide and a Grand National Profit guide, both available on site.
