Young Formby Group RDA rider announced as honorary 35th runner in the 2026 Randox Grand National

4 days ago
3 min read

Five-year-old Oliver Christie has been named by The Jockey Club as this year’s honorary 35^th runner in the Randox Grand National.

Since Randox began sponsoring the Grand National in 2017, an honorary runner has featured in the race, with their name listed in the racecard alongside the runners. The initiative shines a spotlight on the work of Europe’s largest children’s hospital, Alder Hey.

Oliver has Congenital Heart Disease, with his main condition being Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, meaning the left side of his heart is severely underdeveloped. He has undergone four open heart surgeries and is due to have his fifth next month.

Speaking about the family’s joy at being involved in this year’s Randox Grand National, Oliver’s mother, Amelia, said: “I am delighted that Oliver will be the 35^th runner this year. The Jockey Club have always been so supportive towards all of Oliver’s family, and this feels like the ultimate honour. Oliver has a life-limiting heart condition and without the medical interventions from Alder Hey, Oliver would not be with us today. He has had four open heart surgeries including ECMO and is due his next open heart surgery next month. He also has Cerebral Palsy from a stroke at birth, global development delay and is tube fed to the stomach by a blended diet."

“We are very fortunate that Oliver enjoys visiting the hospital, because the team at Alder Hey do not make it feel like a hospital. With help from the play specialist, music therapy and the doctor and nurses they make the whole family feel at ease.”

“As we navigate this next chapter and Oliver’s fifth open heart surgery, I know he is in the best care with Alder Hey. Despite Oliver’s medical conditions, he lives life to the full, recently started mainstream school and loves making friends.”

Oliver is passionate about horses and rides with Formby Group RDA, at Bowlers Riding School, and Amelia says:

“He has a love for horses, and we regularly visit our local stables, where Oliver rides with the Riding for the Disabled Association. He has been riding since February 2023, even with his oxygen, and this has improved Oliver’s core strength.”

Amelia adds “He can now trot on the pony and thinks he is a cowboy, so of course he is very much looking forward to Randox Grand National Day!”

Oliver was announced as the 35^th runner at Aintree’s Randox Grand National Weights Lunch, an annual event staged at Liverpool’s St George’s Hall, and waved and smiled at the hundreds of guests while on stage with his mother.

Dickon White, The Jockey Club’s North West Regional Director who runs Aintree Racecourse, said: “We’re incredibly proud to support Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and champion the incredible work they do, and are honoured to announce Oliver as this year’s 35^th runner. We’re especially pleased to be able to mark our 25^th anniversary of working with Alder Hey by recognising a member of our own team here at Aintree. Amelia is one of many staff members and relatives at the racecourse who have received tremendous support during the time of our partnership so this is an opportunity to celebrate the close link between our two organisations and show our gratitude.”

Jockey Patrick Mullins, who won last year’s Randox Grand National, added: “I think Aintree’s relationship with Alder Hey is one of the most important aspects of the race. A number of jockeys visit the children at the hospital the day before the Grand National and it is nothing short of inspirational - the staff there are incredible. Oliver was the star of the show at the Weights Lunch last week and I’m looking forward to seeing him at Aintree as the 35^th runner in April.”

Huge congratulations Oliver!!