Katie Walsh won the BoyleSports Irish Grand National today at Fairyhouse riding on Thunder and Roses (20/1), passing out Rule the world (20/1) in second place and Sizing Coal (40/1) in third place.
Walsh is the first female to claim the title after Nina Carberry in 2011. She told RTÉ: “It’s an Irish national, it’s right up there. This is a top class day. It’s great for women in racing”.
It was an emotional win for the family of the late Dessie Hughes who trained the horse until he passed away in November.
His daughter Sandra Hughes who took over the training license after her father’s death said “Katie was absolutely brilliant. Someone above was helping us out. Dad always loved this race, to do it for him is wonderful. He was with us all the way”.