Monty's Pass ~ 2003 Grand National WInner
Pictured above is Monty's Pass storming to victory in the 2003 Grand National with Barry Geraghty on board. Monty's Pass won the race with a 12 length lead from Supreme Glory with Amberleigh House back in third.
The 2003 Grand National is widely considered one of the best field of runners to grace the Aintree course. So the 12 lengths win by Monty's Pass is rightly regarded as one of the strongest displays by a winner in the last 20 years.
Monty's Pass was never out for the leading pack for the entire race and jumped superbly with top jockey Barry Geraghty on board. As many horses do Monty's Pass started his career running in Point-to-Point races. In 2002 the horse started to show the signs of a quality chaser when he finished fifth in the Mildmay of Flete at Cheltenham and also finished second in the Topham Chase at the Aintree course.
In September 2002 the horse was entered into the Kerry National, a three miler at Listowel. The horses owner Mike Futter reportedly landed a £200,000 bet on when Monty's Pass steamed to victory. Seeing the quality of the horses jumping the owner and trainer decided to point the horse at the 2003 Grand National.
In what has become the usual practice for strong Irish contenders the horse was lightly race around hurdles for the remainder of the year in Ireland before being rested over the winter months. This gave the horse the best possible chance of getting a favourable weight by the National handicapper. Which he did when awarded just 10-7.
The only doubt about Monty's Pass was this ability to win over three miles. The trainer and stable were proved right when they stated that the horse would have no problem over the four mile plus Aintree course. On the day of the race the ground firmed up some and this suited Monty. With two fences left, Monty's Pass went clear from Amberleigh House and a tiring Gunner Welburn.
Monty's Pass safely cleared the last and powered home, while Supreme Glory made a surging run behind to overhaul two horses to get up for second.
Jockey ~ Barry Geraghty
Irish jockey Barry Geraghty rode his first winner in January 1997 and his progress since then has been nothing short of remarkable. The Geraghty family has been involved in horse racing for generations, Barry's father was the renowned horse deal 'Tucker' Geraghty. Barry's two brothers are also Jockeys and one of them won the Irish Grand National on "Bunny Boiler" in 2002.
It was in 2002 that Barry's career really exploded, after an amazing festival at Cheltenham Barry rode Monty's Pass to victory in the Kerry National. The two were teamed up again for the 2003 Grand National ~ After his victory at Aintree on Monty Pass Barry said "He was like a cat, he jumped unbelievable," "I had a lovely run. There was no traffic up front. later adding "It's hard to believe he could win so easily."
Trainer ~ Jimmy Mangan
Trainer Jimmy Mangan operates a 12 horse yard in Co. Cork. Jimmy (shown above in the photo on the phone) is a true horseman whose lives training, breeding and trading. Relatively unknown outside of Ireland until his 2003 Grand National win, Jimmy was the first to note Monty's ability when he ran him at the Topham Chase.
It is widely reported that Jimmy and Monty's owner landed a near £1 million betting coup with Monty's Pass National win in 2003. No wonder Jimmy was so pleased when interviewed after the race.
"It's the thing you dream about. To have the winner is unreal," said Jimmy. "He's had a good rest and has come back 100 per cent. He has never let us down and is always in the money. He's the star of the stable.
