2005 Grand National: Hedgehunter’s Famous Win for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh
There’s something quietly compelling about Hedgehunter’s rise to fame, the kind of story that rewards patience, grit, and a keen eye for untapped talent.
Born on January 25, 1996, this Irish-bred gelding began his racing life with modest success.
Trained by Willie Mullins and bred by Mary Lang and Tony Keogh, Hedgehunter spent his first seasons in National Hunt flat races and hurdles, gradually learning his trade and picking up just a single win from his first ten races.
It wasn’t until the trainer switched him to chasing that his natural talent began to shine through.
The Mullins Magic and Hemmings Backing
Hedgehunter’s transformation owed much to the expert training of Willie Mullins, a name respected across the racing world for turning raw ability into racing gold.
The horse’s owner, Trevor Hemmings, played a vital role too. His experience and ambition gave Hedgehunter the stable, care, and opportunities to compete at the highest level.
Hemmings, known for his passion for jump racing and a portfolio of famous equine names, saw something special in Hedgehunter that many may have missed after those early, unspectacular runs.
Hedgehunter’s Early Chasing Career
Once he was given the challenge of bigger fences and greater distances, Hedgehunter began a new chapter.
He showed promise in trial races and signature chases, including a win in the Grand National Trial at Punchestown, going off with horse racing betting odds of 7/1, as well as respectable performances at Cheltenham and Punchestown festivals.
He wasn’t winning everything, but he was consistently in the mix, often placing second, sometimes making mistakes, but always developing that vital resilience needed for Aintree.
2004 Grand National: Heartbreak on the Run-In
The 2004 Grand National was Hedgehunter’s first test on the biggest stage of all.
For much of the race, he looked set to win; leading from fence ten, he was right in the thick of the action with only the final fence left to clear.
That last obstacle proved disastrous: Clan Royal slipped ahead, and Hedgehunter crashed to the turf, heart-stoppingly close to victory.
He walked away uninjured, but the memory of defeat never left the connections, fuelling a renewed determination for the year ahead.
Training for History
Willie Mullins and his team set their sights firmly on the next National.
Hedgehunter was nurtured carefully over the winter, running over hurdles in Ireland to keep his handicap rating fair and avoid the punishing weight hikes from British officials.
The senior handicapper, Phil Smith, wasn’t fooled, he raised Hedgehunter’s weight to 11-01 for 2005, but the team felt confident: he could handle it.
Race Day: April 9, 2005
The sun broke through after a week of spring rain, and Aintree was humming with anticipation.
The race’s start was adjusted to accommodate the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, coming 25 minutes later than planned, a quirky moment that ensured all eyes would be on the National once the royal celebrations ended.
A maximum field of 40 runners lined up, chasing glory and a share of £700,000 in prize money.
Hedgehunter started as the 7/1 favourite, a rare distinction in a notoriously open contest.
Ruby Walsh, one of Ireland’s finest jockeys and a man trusted with delivering Mullins’ careful instructions, settled the horse into a beautiful rhythm as soon as the tape went up.
Hedgehunter raced just off the lead for two circuits of Aintree’s famous fences, jumping cleanly and smartly while a series of dramatic incidents played out behind.
The ground was good to soft, not too testing, but just enough to make jumping a premium skill.
There were stories everywhere: Carrie Ford, riding Forest Gunner and tipped as the first woman with a real chance to win, finished a creditable fifth.
Clan Royal, a favourite for many and partnered by A.P. McCoy, was running well when loose horses carried him off the course on the second circuit, his race over in a heartbeat.
Yet, for Hedgehunter, everything was going to plan.
Taking Command
It was at the third last fence that Hedgehunter moved into the lead, smoothly taking charge under Walsh’s hands.
From that moment, he never looked truly threatened. All eyes were on Royal Auclair (a 40/1 outsider for Paul Nicholls), Simply Gifted (66/1), and Forest Gunner, but none could match the favourite’s stamina and class.
Hedgehunter soared over the final fence with a comfortable lead, and though Aintree’s long run-in has chewed up many hopefuls over the years, Walsh kept the horse balanced and focused.
The margin of victory was emphatic: 14 lengths separated Hedgehunter from the rest of the field when he crossed the line in 9 minutes 21 seconds.
It was a year of positives as 21 of the 40 runners completed the course, and every horse returned safe, a quietly celebrated achievement given Aintree’s demanding fences and the previous year’s heartbreak for Hedgehunter.
Full Results and Notable Runners
Hedgehunter’s win was followed by Royal Auclair in second, Simply Gifted in third, It Takes Time in fourth, and Forest Gunner in fifth.
Amberleigh House, Monty’s Pass and other fan favourites finished further back, showing just how competitive and unpredictable the race can be.
Victory in 2005 was the crowning moment of Hedgehunter’s career. He returned in 2006 and finished second behind Numbersixvalverde, a display of remarkable consistency for a Grand National competitor.
Hedgehunter also placed second in the 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup, competing against the finest staying chasers in Britain and Ireland.
He retired at age twelve in 2008, having earned more than £780,000 in prize money and a lasting reputation as a horse not just for one season, but for several.
Connections Behind Hedgehunter
Willie Mullins remains one of the most admired trainers in National Hunt racing, and his handling of Hedgehunter exemplified patience and skill.
Ruby Walsh, already a champion jockey, added another jewel to his collection with that expert ride.
Trevor Hemmings continued to invest in the sport, going on to own further Grand National winners in years to come.
Hedgehunter will always be remembered as a horse that bounced back from disappointment to claim the most coveted prize in steeplechasing.
He’s known not for flashiness or hyperbole, but for substance, for being a reliable, brave, and honest performer who shined on one of racing’s biggest stages.
The 2005 Grand National wasn’t just a race; it was a showcase of teamwork, belief, and the slow burn of ambition fulfilled.
For those who watched on that blustery April afternoon, the story of Hedgehunter stands out among countless Grand Nationals for its quiet drama and fulfilling conclusion.
Hedgehunter’s clean jumping, Walsh’s measured ride, and the relief of seeing every runner return safely made the 2005 renewal one to be cherished for all the right reasons.
