A teenage horse rider from Wishaw had a day to remember at Saturday’s Grand National.
Nineteen-year-old Laura Hoey had the honour of leading out the winning horse, Minella Times, at Aintree.
Laura is a rider for top Irish trainer Henry de Bromhead in Waterford and was trackside as Minella stormed to victory in the world’s greatest steeplechase.
In-form jockey Rachael Blackmore made history by becoming the first female rider to win the National, after enjoying great success as the leading jockey at last month’s Cheltenham Festival.
A delighted Laura told Lanarkshire Live: “It was everything I thought it would be.
“I still don’t think I can properly put it into words.
“Just leading out Minella was such a big thing for me and then for Rachael to do what she did was unbelievable.
“Myself and my workmates were standing in the middle of the track and when we knew Minella was going to win we were going crazy.
“I’ve had to go and get a packet of throat lozenges as I’ve lost my voice.
“Henry also had Balko Des Flos who finished second so we were all delighted.”
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