A plaque has been unveiled in Leicestershire honouring the horse which won the 1914 Grand National

This article originally appeared on Culture24.

A plaque has been unveiled in Leicestershire for the horse which defied outsider odds to win the Grand National more than a century ago

A photo of people taking part in a ceremony to create a plaque on a house in honour of Sunloch, the winning horse in the 1914 Grand National© Courtesy LCC
A plaque honouring Sunloch, the horse which won the 1914 Grand National, has been installed on a house in Loughborough by popular demand.

Council representatives, residents and representatives of the Jockey Club came together to recognise the former champion, who overcame odds of 100-6 to canter to an eight-length victory.

A photo of people taking part in a ceremony to create a plaque on a house in honour of Sunloch, the winning horse in the 1914 Grand National© Courtesy LCC
“Some folk might say a racehorse seems an odd choice for a green plaque,” said Councillor Peter Lewis, the deputy cabinet member for the plaque scheme, which was launched in 2013 to pick out notable individuals and places from Leicestershire’s past.

“But the fact is the strength of feeling among the people who voted and nominated him just shows the impact animals, as well as people and buildings, can have on communities.

A photo of people taking part in a ceremony to create a plaque on a house in honour of Sunloch, the winning horse in the 1914 Grand National© Courtesy LCC
“Sunloch’s performance at the Grand National has already been commemorated at Aintree - so why not a plaque in the town where he was trained? Loughborough is famous for winners.

“I suggest that anyone planning to make future green plaque nominations should remember - you don't have to be conventional.

A photo of people taking part in a ceremony to create a plaque on a house in honour of Sunloch, the winning horse in the 1914 Grand National© Courtesy LCC
"Honesty and enthusiasm are important ingredients in making your proposals.”

Sunloch died in a field in Burbage six years after his triumph. Today (March 30 2016) is the final day for nominations for the scheme.


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Source: http://www.culture24.org.uk/history-and-heritage/historic-buildings/art549753-sunloch-grand-national-gainsborough-house-leicestershire


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