AFTER the People’s Race now comes the People’s Racehorse.

Smithy The Horse is the latest initiative from John Smith’s in the marketing of the Grand National.

On the day it was revealed that John Smith’s have extended their sponsorship of the world’s most famous steeplechase until 2013, the company also announced they would end the People’s Race after three years and replace it with the People’s Racehorse.

The People’s Race, which gave the opportunity for ordinary men and women to ride in a Flat race at Aintree on Grand National day, proved a success during its three runnings. But that has now ended and the new scheme, which will give up to 250,000 the chance to share in the ownership of a horse, who John Smith’s are hoping will run at next year’s Grand National meeting, could prove even more popular.

The four-year-old gelding will be trained by Donald McCain junior at his Bankhouse stables in Cheshire.

He was paraded before racing at Aintree on Saturday and is due to make his debut in January in 2010 with the aim of being able to run at Aintree next year and in future years.

Gareth Turner, the senior brand manager for John Smith’s, said:

“The horse will be owned by our customers, who will make no financial commitment other than to buy a pint and to register for one of the 250,000 shares with us.”