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.
Owned by Brian Walsh of County Kildare, and ridden by Robbie Power, the horse held off McKelvey and Slim Pickings to win the Aintree event.
Won the 2007 Grand National with Silver Birch on his first ever attempt in the race
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.
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. He has saddled eight runners since 2007 including Chicago Grey and Tharawaat who ran in 2012.
Despite entering Roi Du Mee for the last couple of Grand National’s, he has never run over the famous fences nor has he ever run outside of Ireland.
