James Madison's Montpelier We the People Spring 2013 | Page 8

We The People

FEATURED EXHIBIT

8

Overcoming his small size, his jockey’s youth, and his trainer’s misgivings, Battleship, owned by
Marion duPont Scott, became the first American horse to win the British Grand National.
Over 200,000 spectators were on hand to witness the race at Aintree, and the story caught fire
worldwide catapulting Battleship to international fame. To date, Battleship remains the only horse
to win both the American (1934) and English (1938) Grand National steeplechase races.
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of this historic event and to honor the enduring legacy of
Marion duPont Scott, The Montpelier Foundation and the Montpelier Steeplechase and Equestrian
Foundation proudly display a Battleship-themed exhibit in Montpelier’s duPont Gallery.
The exhibit will be open through November 10th.

Battleship, at United Hunts May 1934, won 2 1⁄2
miles Roslyn Hunter Race; Photograph, 1934; duPont
Scrapbook 13, pg. 22, img. 001; Courtesy of Montpelier