Owned by John Hales and trained by Paul Nicholls, Neptune Collonges ran in the Cheltenham Gold Cup four times, in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011. On all four occasions, he finished behind one or other, or both, of his more illustrious stable companions, Kauto Star and Denman. However, on April 14, 2012, as an 11-year-old, he enjoyed his day in the sun when winning the Grand National.
By that stage, Neptune Collonges was racing off his lowest handicap mark since winning the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle as a five-year-old, but despite failing by just a neck to win the Grand National Trial at Haydock Park on his most recent outing, was nonetheless sent off at 33/1 in the Grand National proper. Ridden by Daryl Jacob, he made headway from mid-division early on the second circuit and was one of a leading group of eight turning for home. Only third passing the Elbow, halfway up the run-in, he passed the weakening Seabass inside the final 100 yards and bore down on the leader, Sunnyhillboy, getting up in the final stride to win by a nose. Third-placed Seabass, ridden by Katie Walsh, became, at the time, the highest-placed finisher to be ridden by a female jockey in the history of the Grand National.
Neptune Collonges became just the third grey to win the Grand National, after The Lamb (1868, 1871) and Nicolaus Silver (1961) and still has the distinction of being the narrowest-margin winner of the world-famous steeplechase. Nicholls later said of him, “…and what a story that was, winning the National as an 11-year-old, having made a winning debut over hurdles for us as a four-year-old at Chepstow in November 2005.” All told, Neptune Collonges won 16 of his 36 races under Rules, including 12 of his 28 steeplechases, and amassed £1.3 million in prize money. Prior to winning the National, his highest-profile victories had come in back-to-back renewals of the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup in 2007 and 2008.
Neptune Collonges was immediately retired by Hales, who said, “He’ll never race again, that’s it.” He was transferred to Hales’ stable in Shifnal, Shropshire and when Hales died in January 2025, aged 85, led his funeral procession.