Hedgehunter ~ 2005 Grand National WInner
Hedgehunter and jockey Ruby Wlash clear a fence in the 2005 Grand National race and became the first horse in 17 years to carry over 11st to victory. The victory was also a first for trainer Willie Mullins.
Hedgehunter's early career in hurdles didn't produce much in the way of success, recording just 1 win in 15 races. It wasn't until he switched to chasing that the horses natural ability was discovered. He seemed particular suited to chases over three miles, he won in heavy going at Punchestown in 2003 and was targeted from then on at the 2004 Grand National.
The plan for the 2004 National almost worked out perfectly, Hedgehunter led the race from fence ten and looked well placed for a debut win. The final fence was all that stood between Hedgehunter and National glory. As he approached the fence Clan Royal push in front and Hedgehunter fell for the first time in his career.
Hedgehunter's training team resolved to give the race another go in 2005. He was run over hurdles in Ireland to protect his handicap, even though senior Handicapper Phil Smith announced that year that he wouldn't be duped by trainers who have there horses "naff around in hurdles in Ireland". When the weights were announced Hedgehunter was allotted 10st 12lb (later raised to 11st 1lb) which was the weight he carried so well in the 2004 National.
Hedgehunter's performance in the 2005 Grand National was nearly flawless, he hunted up the leaders just off the pace throughout before taking it up with three to jump, and from then on was always in command, finishing strongly with a 14 length lead.
Jockey ~ Ruby Walsh
Ruby (Rupert) Walsh is one of the most successful jockeys in modern racing, born in County Cork, Ireland. The Walsh family has a long history of involvement with horse racing. Ruby's career didn't take the usual jockey's path of 'point-to-point', amateur status before turning professional. Instead Ruby was urged by his father (Trainer Ted Walsh) to ride cross-country, taking on the walls and ditches of Co. Limerick.
Before Ruby was even out of school he had been the leading amatuer Jockey in Ireland! In 1998 he finished runner up in the Irish Grand National. On his first full season as a professional jockey he won the Irish Jockeys' championship with 96 wins at the age of 19.
In 2000 Ruby secured his first Grand National victory on 'Papillon' and also finished 4th on 'Papillon' again in 2001. But it was Hedgehunter in 2005 who was to give Ruby the smoothest victory in a National to date. After the race Ruby said of Hedgehunter, "He gave Valentines first time a fair old clout, but after that he was going super all the way. I thought to myself that whatever happens I wouldn't move until the elbow. When we got there, away he went - brilliant."
Trainer ~ Willie Mullins
Willie Mullins said he dreamed of winning the Grand National from the age of nine when he first saw the race on television. It took Willie nearly 40 years to fulfil his dream, but he did finally win in 2005 with Hedgehunter after four previous attempts at bagging the big Aintree prize.
It was Hedgehunter's second attempt at the Grand National after falling at the last fence in the 2004 race. Willie pointed the horse at the race all year, including shrewdly protecting the horses handicap mark by running him over hurdles in the months before the Grand National. Willie's plans for the race were nearly left in tatters when Hedgehunter developed an infection the week before the 2005 race. Willie kept the infection a secret from everyone including Jockey Ruby Walsh, the infection cleared and as they say, the rest is history!
