Katie Walsh became the third female jockey to win the Irish Grand National when driving the 20-1 shot Thunder And Roses to victory at Fairyhouse on Monday. In doing so, she provided a hugely emotional moment for the family of Dessie Hughes, who trained the horse until his death at the age of 71 in November.
This was the first time Walsh had sat on the seven-year-old in public, the horse having turned in a most unpromising effort on his previous start when blundering his way around Cheltenham. Walsh had him prominent on the outside from the off, avoiding a nasty melee at the first fence, which took five rivals out of the race.
“This is absolutely class,” the jockey said. “I’ve had some fantastic days but this is an Irish National. It’s great for women in racing.
“Maybe the track didn’t suit him the last day at Cheltenham and he didn’t jump great, it was all happening a bit sharp for him. Galloping track today, he got into his own rhythm, he jumped away great, he had a grand bit of light and it all just happened for him.
“I actually didn’t think I’d win, turning in, to be honest with you. It was only when I went down to the last, I realised I was getting back upsides and I winged the last. The other two stopped.”
Walsh and her sister-in-law Nina Carberry, who was unseated at halfway on this occasion, have achieved a series of big-race successes in recent years, although both continue to ride as amateurs. Carberry won the Irish National in 2011 aboard Organisedconfusion, while Ann Ferris rode the 1984 winner, Bentom Boy.
The question now is whether anyone can follow up in the Grand National itself, which has never been won by a woman jockey. There were suggestions on Monday night that Walsh could be offered the mount on the David Pipe-trained Broadway Buffalo in Saturday’s running of the famous Aintree race, though that horse is not certain to make the cut-off point for entries. Carberry is expected to ride First Lieutenant, a 33-1 shot.
The first to congratulate Walsh as she slowed her mount to a walk was her brother, Ruby, who had pulled up his mount, Perfect Gentleman. “Herself and Nina are some ambassadors for lady riders,” Ruby said later, pointing out that his sister had won major hurdle races in France and England during her career. “The ball is bouncing for her and fair play to her.”
Thunder And Roses is trained by Sandra Hughes, daughter of Dessie, who said: “It’s wonderful. I can’t believe how special this is. Dad always loved this race, so I’m dedicating it to him. To do it for him is wonderful.” Dessie Hughes trained Timbera to win the 2003 Irish National and came close to a second success last year when Golden Wonder led over the last but was run out of it close home.
Monday’s result was also big news for Michael O’Leary, owner of the winner, the second and the fourth. He was unable to attend but his brother Eddie reported: “He’s watching it and jumping up and down at the moment.”
Tony McCoy never quite looked like achieving his second success in the Irish National, finishing sixth aboard Cantlow.
There were no surprises among the nine names withdrawn from Saturday’s Grand National at the latest entry stage, with Sam Winner and Hadrian’s Approach the biggest names to bow out. Pipe’s Soll is now guaranteed a run.
A new jockey is needed for the Donald McCain-trained Corrin Wood, as Wilson Renwick tweeted that he would be unable to ride at Aintree, following a tumble at Market Rasen on Sunday. The jockey said he would be out of action until taking a concussion test on Monday.
Tony Paley, the Guardian racing editor, was in great form with his tips on Monday, when among his winners were Brave Richard at 25-1 and Ossie’s Dancer, a 16-1 chance.
