How many horses run in the Grand National?

The field size of the Grand National is something that has dominated the headlines over the years, with important steps taken in recent times to make the race safer for horses.

Whilst there have been changes to the minimum rating requirements and adjustments to the Grand National fences, one of the key changes has been the reduction of the number of horses in the race.

How many horses run in the Grand National?

The maximum amount of runners in the 2025 Grand National has now been capped at 34.

This number may be reduced if any non-runners are declared on the day.

How has the number of Grand National runners changed from past races?

The most horses that have run in a Grand National is 66, which is a record that was set way back in 1929, while the fewest Grand National runners was 10 in 1883.

With the average percentage of horses to finish the Grand National decreasing over the decades, the maximum number of horses has decreased.

From 1984 to 2023, no more than 40 runners have taken part, with the number being consistently higher than that prior to 1984.

Ahead of the 2024 renewal, more safety measures were put in place and the official field size was reduced to 34.

However, only 32 horses competed in the 2024 Grand National due to two horses being declared as non-runners on the day.

More safety measures for the Grand National

The introduction of a standard start and further veterinary checks are amongst the other safety measures that have been introduced for the Grand National.

The first fence has also been moved 60 yards closer to the start of the race, to reduce the speed that horses arrive to the first fence at.

The start time has been brought forward to earlier in the afternoon to ensure that the ground doesn't dry out and increase the pace.

In addition, horses are no longer led by a handler during the pre-race parade, so that they can prepare in their own time.