Crisp was a champion Australian steeplechase horse. He was a brown Thoroughbred gelding that was foaled in 1963 in Australia. In his native country he won many important jumping races including the Hiskens Steeplechase in 1969 and 1970. So well did he jump, he was nicknamed "The Black Kangaroo." He is best remembered for his epic contest with Red Rum in the 1973 Grand National.

He was second to Red Rum in the 1973 Grand National at Aintree Racecourse by a length when conceding the future champion a huge weight advantage. Crisp carried a mammoth top weight of 12st compared to Red Rum's 10st 5lb. He led over the final fence by about 15 lengths before running "all over the course" and out of stamina. Despite Red Rum winning three Nationals and securing his place in British sporting history, the 1973 race is as fondly remembered for Crisp's brave run in defeat than for Red Rum's victory. Jim McGrath long tome commentator of the Grand National called the race with Red Rum the highlight of all runnings of the National, and that Crisp was the unluckiest horse in the Grand National. There are few in the annals of sport where we remember for the second as well as the first but Crisp will never be forgotten. Both horses broke the race record for National, but Red Rum received 24lbs from Crisp.

Crisp won other chases in England including the Champion Chase (now Queen Mother Champion Chase) in 1971. He also beat Red Rum in a subsequent encounter!

Big race wins

• 1971 Queen Mother Champion Chase

Reference list

1. Jim McGrath's call of the National
2. Unlucky in the Grand National

External links

• Crisp's pedigree