Grand National winner One For Arthur dies aged 14

Grand National winner One For Arthur retired — The late One For Arthur jumps the last on the way to winning the Randox Health Grand National.

(Image credit: PA)

“Scotland’s horse” One For Arthur has died from colic aged 14, five years after he won the Grand National.

“We are sorry to share the news that One For Arthur died this morning (25 March). A horse of a lifetime, he made our dreams come true when winning the Grand National in 2017,” said trainer Lucinda Russell.

Arthur was owned by The Two Golf Widows, Deborah Thomson and Belinda McClung, and became only the second horse trained in Scotland to win the Aintree race, ridden to victory by Derek Fox. Arthur was later ruled out for more than a year owing to a tendon injury, but in 2019 returned to contest the Grand National for a second time, in which he and Derek came sixth. This was the year Tiger Roll retained his 2018 crown.

“We were delighted with him in 2019, and everything was being aimed at the National this year – we had him really buzzing and ready to go,” she said. “I suppose it had been in the back of our minds if he’d run a good race this year we probably would have retired him after that. He’s done everything for us, he owes us nothing and to retire him now while he’s at the top of his game and looking fit and well, was our decision.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

TOPICS

Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.

Farewell to Grand National winner who made dreams come true

Before his death, Arthur had been enjoying a second career, having been reschooled by Steph Robson. He was a winner of retrained racehorse showing classes, and last year competed in the racehorse to riding horse class at the Dublin Horse Show with his breeder John Dwan’s daughter Aisling.

Lucinda said most recently Arthur was in Dumfries, enjoying hunting and cross-country with Ailsa McClung, who “doted on him”.

“His owners, Debs, Belinda, Colin, Fraser, and all here at Lucinda Russell Racing, especially Jaimie, Erin, and Derek, were proud to produce ‘Scotland’s horse’ and thank everyone who has shown him love,” she said.

“Arthur had a fabulous life on and off the track, and in winning at Aintree brought himself immortality. We will all miss him.”

You might also be interested in:

‘He’s a legend’: Grand National winner One For Arthur retires

‘One For Arthur’s done Scotland proud’: Lucinda Russell becomes fourth female trainer to win the Grand National