Grand National winner Lucinda Russell recognised in Queen's birthday honours

Grand National-winning trainer Lucinda Russell was surprised but delighted on Friday to learn she had been rewarded with an OBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list.

The Kinross trainer, who saddled One For Arthur to land the world’s most famous steeplechase at Aintree in 2017, receives the award for services to horseracing.

Russell, who has trained more than 600 winners during her career, starting with the victory of Fiveleigh Builds at Perth in September 1995, said: “It’s a great honour. It came as a total surprise, but obviously I’m very proud of it.

"I started training here in August 1995 and now have 80 horses in training. The award is credit to all my staff and owners who have believed in me, and also to the increased awareness of horseracing in Scotland."

Watch One For Arthur's Grand National win

Russell, who turns 52 this month, continued: “The Grand National win has obviously been the highlight of my career, but we’ve been very lucky to have some super horses over the years.

“The award is very satisfying not only for myself but for the sport of horseracing. My parents are hosting a party to celebrate on Sunday.”

Russell’s partner Peter Scudamore, the eight-time champion jump jockey who rode 1,678 winners during a record-breaking career, received an MBE for services to horseracing after his retirement from the saddle.

One For Arthur’s memorable Aintree victory over Cause Of Causes under Derek Fox may have catapulted Russell to national prominence, but there were plenty of big winners prior to that.

Brindisi Breeze landed the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2012 under the late Campbell Gillies, while Silver By Nature was another smart performer for the Arlary House team, winning back-to-back runnings of the Haydock Grand National Trial in 2010 and 2011 in the hands of Peter Buchanan.

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