West Tip

West Tip
Sire	Gala Performance
Grandsire	Native Dancer
Dam	Astryl
Damsire	Vulgan
Sex	Gelding
Foaled	1977
Country	Ireland
Colour	Bay
Owner	Peter Luff
Trainer	Michael Oliver
Major wins
Ritz Club Handicap Chase (1985) Grand National (1986)
Last updated on March 7, 2009

West Tip (1977 - July 2001) was a racehorse who won the Grand National in 1986.

Background

West Tip was a bay gelding bred in the United Kingdom. During his racing career he was owned by Peter Luff and trained by Michael Oliver at Droitwich in Worcestershire.

In 1982, West Tip had been injured in an accident involving a lorry outside his stables after which it was feared the horse would have to be put down.^[1] West Tip survived but was left with a distinctive scar on his hind quarters.

Racing career

In 1985 West Tip won the Ritz Club Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. He started joint-favourite for the 1985 Grand National but fell at Bechers Brook on the second circuit. West Tip returned to Aintree for the 1986 Grand National and started the 15/2 second favourite under a weight of 151 pounds. Ridden by Richard Dunwoody he was always amongst the leaders and jumped the last fence in second place behind the Scottish-trained outsider Young Driver. West Tip took the lead on the run-in and got the better of a sustained struggle with Young Driver to win by two lengths.^[2]

In subsequent runs in the National he finished fourth in 1987 and 1988, second in 1989, tenth in 1990, on each occasion he was ridden by Dunwoody. He was retired after the 1990 Grand National.^[3]

Performance Timeline

Race	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990
Grand National	Fell	1st	4th	4th	2nd	10th

References

1. http://archive.worcesternews.co.uk/2001/8/1/314380.html
2. Green, Reg (1993). The History of the Grand National: A Race Apart. Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 0-340-58515-3.
3. Racing mourns West Tip BBC.co.uk 25 July 2001.