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Grand National had to change to survive, says former winning jockey

Mick Fitzgerald, who won the Grand National on Rough Quest in 1996, says the race is a 'radically different challenge' today and that 'you have to evolve or you die.'

Published Apr 8, 2026, 9:37 PM EDT | WFMZZ

The Grand National is a radically different challenge than when Mick Fitzgerald rode Rough Quest to victory in 1996, the former winning jockey told AFP. He said the race has had to change to survive and that "you have to evolve or you die."