Dr. Milner Bortner's 1921 trophy for his win at the Grand National. Taken from Mason-Dixon ARRIVE APRIL 2011 to accompany an article by Gregory J. Alexander.

The text from the article follows:

Family Celebrates Historic Win
Grandfather Won Grand National 90 Years Ago
By Gregory J. Alexander

The Grand National Steeplechase is known as the most demanding three-mile timber race, as due to the shorter distance – the Hunt Cup is four miles long – horses race at a faster clip over 18 unyielding obstacles. On April 23,the 109th running of the Grand National Steeplechase will take place in Butler, and in attendance will be a proud family celebrating their grandfather's historic win back in1921.

Dr. Milner Bortner, a country doctor in White Hall, rode "Hurry Girl," his stubborn and determined Bay Mare, to an incredible win by two lengths at the Grand National that year, in a race plagued by less-than-ideal rainy conditions. In fact, only two of the 11 entries finished the race, while 400 spectators braved the rainy and muddy conditions. Several horses fell, with the deep mud rising up to their knees, and one rider suffered broken ribs in a horrific accident.

In addition to the rainy and muddy conditions, Dr. Bortner's win was also incredible due to the doctor's relative inexperience as a rider. "It was the only race he won," recalls David Dentry of Parkton, Dr. Bortner's grandson. "He was first and foremost a doctor, including World War I where he served as a physician. Back then, all vehicles were horse drawn, so he always had horses in his life. While he did race ‘Hurry Girl,' heal so used her when he had to make house calls without a buggy, such as during inclement weather or when road conditions were poor." Dentry, one of nine children, recalls "mucking out" horse stables with his grandfather as a child.

"We rode as children, and we're all horse lovers.However, my father was allergic to horses, so over the years, we became spectators and still love watching horse racing today," he says.

In honor of his grandfather's historic win, Dentry and his family will be in attendance at this year's Grand National bearing T-shirts with Dr. Bortner and "HurryGirl's" photo, and hopes to have about 50 family members there to tailgate and celebrate Dr. Bortner's amazing win90 years ago.