Mon Mome ~ 2009 Grand National WInner
The photo above shows stable girl Sarah McQueen, Jockey Liam Treadwell and Mon Momes trainer Venetia Williams shortly after Mon Mome's stunning 100/1 victory in the 2009 Grand National.
Mon Mome (Our Kid) became the first 100-1 shot to win the Grand National since Foinavon's lucky win at the Aintree course in 1967, when a loose horse caused a pile up at a fence and left Foinavon with a clear run to the finishing line.
In contrast no stroke of luck was needed my Mon Mome to land the greatest prize in steeple chasing. Two fences out from home, Mon Mome was nicely placed between a dozen or so horses still in with a chance of winning. Jockey Liam Treadwell kept Mon Mome out of trouble on the outside and a strong run between the last two fences left him and 2008 Grand National winner Comply Or Die in a head to head battle for the finishing post, crucially Mon Mome was carrying six pounds less in weight and managed to hold of the late challenge from Comply Or Die, who would have become the first horse to win two Grand Nationals since Red Rum.
Jockey ~ Liam Treadwell
Liam Treadwell was the jockey who steered Mon Mome to Grand National victory in 2009. The race was Treadwells first Grand National ride and until the success at Aintree his career had no notable wins.
He was paired with Mon Mome after asking trainer Venetia Williams to "Find me a horse for the National" During the race Liam Treadwell took "the brave man's route" down the inside. "I got a lovely sight at every fence," he said afterwards. Adding "Mon Mome was just so brave and he travelled all through the race. I didn't really think I would win until we jumped the last fence because there were plenty others going well around me.
"However, he just put his head down and went to the elbow and I knew I had it.
"Crossing the Melling Road I was in a bit of a pocket, but I gave him a tap and away he went. From then it was magic."
Trainer ~ Venetia Williams
The victory of Mon Mome made Venetia Williams only the second female trainer to win the Grand National. After the race, even Williams was shocked by the outcome, stating "How can you ever expect that? It's unbelievable."
However, Williams my be understating her abilities. She has already trained winners in the 1998 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup and King George VI Chase, the 1999 Murphy's Gold Cup and the Grand Annual Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
WIlliams is also no novice when it comes to the Grand National, as a trainer she has entered 13 runners in the race, before the 2009 running her best finish as a trainer was 10th (Mon Mome in 2008). Williams also rode Marcolo, a 200-1 in the 1988 Grand National when she was competing as an amateur jockey, a nasty fall at Bechers ended her chance of glory that day, but little did she know then that 20 years later she would be hailed as the 'Queen Of Aintree'.
