World champion boxer swaps the ring for the saddle and is a horse racing ‘pure’
The Grand National is such a knockout it has boxer Natasha Jonas itching to get in the saddle.
The two-weight world champion could not wait to try out a racing simulator at the Grand Reveal launch for the three-day festival which starts on Thursday. And her form on the robot horse impressed a host of watching equine experts who hailed her a ‘natural’.
Natasha, 41, who held the unified WBC and WBO light-middleweight titles from 2022 to 2025, admitted she is winding down her fighting career – and fancies racing instead.
“I really fancy it,” she said. “I want to enter the amateur race at Aintree next year. The racecourse knows how keen I am and they have been on to me about for ages about it.
“I couldn’t do it before because of my boxing. But now I’m retiring there is nothing to stop me. Riding seems to rely on core body strength as does boxing. And I’m not scared of taking a hit if I fall.”
Liverpool-born Natasha, whose sister is England Lioness Nikita Parris, 32, said she had been attending the Grand National festival for 20 years but did not see a race on her first visits.
“I was blathered and only saw the races on TV in the bars behind the stands,” said the mum, who had taken 10-year-old daughter Mela to have her hair braided ready for Ladies Day on Friday.
“Now I love it. It is the Scouse tradition. It’s one of the most exciting days of the year – a brilliant sporting occasion seen around the world.”
Talent development trainer Gemma Hardy, 44, travelled from Bolton, Greater Manchester, to get up close and personal with 2012 Grand National winner Neptune Collonges.
The grey thoroughbred, now 26, won the most thrilling National in history by smallest ever margin – beating Sunnyhillboy by a nose.
“He’s such a beauty,” said Gemma, who has been at every Aintree since the age of 14.
“I was there when he won. It was unbelievable – the closest race you could see.
“Nothing beats the Aintree atmosphere.
“It just keep getting better and better. I’m not surprised it has sold out in record time. I’m just glad we’ve got our tickets.”
Grand National ambassador Peter Gill, 79, who will spend the festival showing guests around the famous racecourse, said: “I don’t know many sporting events that attract such a broad audience from around the world.
“I have shown around visitors from Australia, Vietnam, Japan and the United States. They’ve all come because they are fascinated by the history. It’s a magical place.”
Bus driver Luke Zdrenka, 36, from St Helens, Merseyside, said: “The Grand National is one of the most important sporting events Britain has.
“Very few have the same history. Getting together to watch it is a family event – it’s a tradition.”
Lili Yordanova, 36, a lifestyle coach and former professional gymnast, said: “Meeting the horse was so amazing. They are such beautiful creatures. Sadly he didn’t have any tips. But I can wait to watch the race.”
