The Mean Queen ran herself into the racing history books in multiple ways with a gutsy victory in the $150,000 Grand National (G1) at Far Hills, New Jersey, on Saturday.
The Irish-bred five-year-old became the first female winner of the Grand National in nearly a century, since Sea Tale captured the 1923 edition held at Belmont Park. Only three mares had placed in the event since then, the most recent being 2007 runner-up Sweet Shani.
The Grand National was also the third Grade 1 victory of the year for The Mean Queen, virtually assuring her an Eclipse Award as the 2021 champion steeplechaser. The only female ever previously awarded the honor was Life’s Illusion, in 1975. Life’s Illusion placed third in the following year’s Grand National.
