Continued . . .
The annual Grand National — a grueling 4-mile, 2.5-furlong steeplechase over 30 fences at Aintree in Liverpool, England — has been halted in the past only by war. Now, it has been cancelled for 2020 due to the global war against a silent enemy.
Years Closed:
2020: COVID-19 — Grand National, and public racing at other tracks worldwide, cancelled to help prevent spread of coronavirus pandemic.
1941-1945: World War II — Aintree Racecourse used by War Office as prisoner-of-war camp, and Grand National was not staged at alternate venue.
1916-1918: World War I — Aintree Racecourse used by British Government for war effort; race moved to Gatwick Racecourse in Surrey, England (now the site of Gatwick Airport) and ran as Racecourse Association Steeple Chase (1916) and War National Steeplechase (1917-1918).
Source: “Has the Grand National Ever Been Cancelled Before?” bookiesignupoffers.com
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