It is a sad fact that although most people can remember the names of horses which win the Grand National, the identity of the men who rode them to their greatest victories are so often forgotten. Like the stories of the brave animals who conquer the mighty Aintree fences, those behind the jockeys who share their moments of glory are equally intriguing, involving many joyous occasions but often subsequently tinged with sadness. The outbreak of World War II brought the careers of many top-flight jockeys to an abrupt end in Britain. By the time peace was restored, a new generation of would-be champions were competing for prominence. This volume is a collection of the trials, tribulations, and triumphs that have made up the history of the Grand National.