Randox Health supremo FitzGerald keen to get in on the action

Peter FitzGerald, founder of Grand National sponsor Randox Health, is hoping to one day present himself with a prize as an owner at the three-day Aintree spectacular, having purchased Royal Rendezvous – now in training with Willie Mullins – 12 months ago.

And he also fancies the all-powerful Mullins yard to provide the winner of Saturday's £1 million showpiece.

FitzGerald, whose firm is sponsoring a race on each day of the Aintree meeting, said: “Racing is such a popular sport. So many people love it. I’ve got a horse in training, Royal Rendezvous, who I bought at the Goffs UK Aintree Sale last year, with Willie Mullins now.

“I’m really looking forward to Saturday’s race. It looks as competitive a Grand National as ever, but if you want to pin me down for a selection, I’ll say Willie's Total Recall.”

This is the second year Randox Health will be backing the Grand National – the deal is for five years, with an option for another five after that – and FitzGerald hopes to get across his message that blood tests can extend life to as many people as possible.

“We’re a medium-sized company trying to get that message across,” he said.

“There are 600 million people who will watch the world’s greatest race on Saturday, so it’s a great opportunity for us to explain what we do and get more business.

“Basically we use blood testing to find things which will help improve health – lots of nutritional things, such as deficiencies or excesses in certain things. It's a very positive experience, but a difficult message to get across.”

FitzGerald, who founded the Northern Ireland-based company in 1982, has many fond memories of watching the Grand National before he got involved in sponsoring it.

“I’ve always watched it," he said. "There is no race like it, and Liverpool is a very exciting place to be during the three days of the meeting."

Sir Anthony McCoy, who won the Grand National on Don’t Push It in 2010, is an ambassador for Randox Health, who also sponsor the Foxhunters' and Topham Chases at Aintree plus ten races away from the Grand National meeting.

“He was born just 12 miles from here, so we’re near neighbours,” said FitzGerald. “He has found us very useful in making minor adjustments nutritionally to his lifestyle.”

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