Gordon Elliott

The 2007 Grand National proved that age, experience and reputation are not precursors for success, when Gordon Elliott, a novice trainer who had not yet had a single winner in his homeland of Ireland, won the steeplechase with 33-1 shot Silver Birch.

The 29 year old Elliott became the youngest ever trainer to win the race, a phenomenal training feat when you consider that he had just bought Silver Birch as a ‘fun horse for cross-country races.’ He had just entered his second season as a licensed trainer, and he had bought Silver Birch from legendary Champion trainer Paul Nicholls. The irony will of course not have been lost on Nicholls, who despite his impressive track record as a jumps trainer, has yet to win the Grand National.

Elliott moved to the Pipe yard in Somerset in 2002, following a stint with Tony Martin’s stable in Co. Meath, which led him to become one of Ireland’s most victorious jockeys, riding 200 winners and another 50 under Rules. On arrival in the Pipe yard, Elliott had hopes of entering the Grand National as a rider, but on his first attempt his license failed to come through on time and on his second attempt a more experienced rider came along and knocked him out of the running.

However, as a jockey Gordon achieved great success, notably two winners at Cheltenham, the Champion Bumper at Punchestown and five winners in the US. He retired from riding in January 2006 when weight gain and a shoulder injury gave him no other choice.

The following July Elliott began training at Capranny Stables in Co. Meath, which he rented from Barry Callaghan. The Grand National win proved Elliott to be a serious trainer bit it was also an amazing feat when you consider that Elliot had only trained three winners in Britain and none in Ireland. But he worked wonders with Silver Birch, and an impressive second place at the Cheltenham Festival convinced him that he should be entered in the National.

His Grand National and subsequent race wins have shown how determined Elliott is for success, especially when you consider that he does not have a racing pedigree, coming from a family whose business is in cars. It is speculated that Elliott’s next entry into the Grand National will be with Backstage who currently has ante-post odds of 27/1, after winning the £20,000 Perth Gold Cup and a ten-length victory in the £50,000 Freebets Handicap Chase.