The first Ulster Grand National took place on 17 May 1939. The inaugural winner was Ballyhooley, which won priced at 25/1, and was owned by Mr. Dick Sheehan. The
jockey to ride Ballyhooley to the historic finish was E Kennedy. The Ulster Grand National ran into trouble two years into its existence, when the 1941 edition was cancelled due to a spread of
foot-and-mouth disease. From 1942 to 1944 the race was not held due to
World War II. In 1945, the return of the Ulster National was won by Caughoo. Caughoo became the first horse to retain the Ulster National, winning it again in 1946. Caughoo is one of the most famous horses to win the Ulster National, as he went on to win the
1947 Grand National at a price of 100/1. In April 1962,
the Queen Mother visited Downpatrick, and watched her horse Laffy win the Ulster National. This occurred following the disqualification of Connkehely, and Laffy was then announced as the winner. In 2013, the Ulster National was won by
Pineau De Re, the French-bred horse went on to win the
2014 Grand National. In 2020, despite the outbreak of the
COVID-19 Pandemic, the race still took place. It was won by Space Cadet. The horse won by two lengths with a 25/1 victory. == See also ==