Irish-trained horses have established a remarkable dominance in the Grand National in recent years, underscoring their supremacy in one of Britain’s most iconic races.
Since 2018, Irish stables have claimed six of the last eight renewals, with notable victories such as I Am Maximus’ emphatic seven-and-a-half-length triumph in 2024 and back-to-back wins by the legendary Tiger Roll in 2018 and 2019.
In 2024, Irish-trained runners filled the first four places, further cementing their grip on the event.
This success has sparked debate within British racing circles, with some calling for measures to curb Ireland's influence. But the undeniable fact is that the Irish have a long history in the industry, and are bound to be able to train more winners than most.
It genuinely doesn’t matter which race you look at – whether that be the Dubai World Cup, Melbourne Cup, or even the American Grand National, betting markets on bookmakers like Betway will always include one or two Irish-trained horses.
So, where does this all stem from, and how many Irish-trained runners have triumphed on the biggest stage of them all – the Grand National?
Origins
It was two Irish fox-hunting gentlemen, Edmund Bake and Cornelius O’Callaghan, who coined the phrase ‘steeplechase’ back in 1752.
It only seems appropriate, given the race's origins, that the Irish have the greatest overseas impact at the Grand National, which is run over roughly the same distance as the original country chase from St John’s Church in Buttevant to St Mary's Church in Doneraile, County Cork.
Every April, in the Grand National at Aintree, Irish-trained horses often dominate the scene.
This is not a mere coincidence but a testament to the excellence of Irish trainers. They consistently produce horses that excel on this challenging course.
Their success story is a blend of skill, tradition, and a deep understanding of horse racing. Here, we explore how Irish trainers have left an indelible mark on the Grand National.
First Irish Trained Winner
Irish jockeys and Irish-bred horses have always enjoyed considerable success at Aintree. There have been 31 winners of the race trained in Ireland since the first Grand National back in 1839.
The first was Coolreagh-bred Matthew, who won the race in 1847, the 10-1 joint favourite. The next was Abd-El-Kader, who became the first dual winner of the Grand National in 1850 and 1851. It then took another 24 years before The Liberator triumphed.
Trainer Henry Linde and jockey Tommy Beasley came back in force in 1881, winning again with Woodbrook, who revelled in the boggy conditions.
Modern Day Winners
More recently, jockey of L’Escargot Tommy Carberry trained the 1999 Irish and English National winner Bobbyjo, who was ridden by Tommy’s son Paul.
The father-son combo quickly caught on, and in 2000, Papillon won, with Ted Walsh training and son Ruby riding his first National.
2003 saw Monty’s Pass be victorious by 12 lengths, while Ruby Walsh secured his second National victory on Hedgehunter in 2005.
Hedgehunter was also a runner-up in 2006 behind Irish-trained Numbersixvalverde, Martin Brassil’s first runner in the National.
The Irish-trained runners were successful again in 2007 with Gordon Elliott's Silver Birch, who beat McKelvey by three-quarters of a length.
And then the spell was broken. For the next eight renewals, the races were won by British-trained horses, including those by David Pipe, Venetia Williams, Jonjo O'Neill, Donald McCain, Paul Nicholls, Sue Smith, Richard Newland, and Oliver Sherwood.
Why Are Irish Horse Trainers So Good?
The dedication to excellence starts at home. Ireland has a rich equestrian culture, and this creates a fertile ground for training horses.
Irish trainers are meticulous in their preparation, and they ensure their horses are ready for the gruelling 4-mile race and many trainers and workers in the industry come from families with generations of involvement in the sport.
So when you hear names like Mullins, Walsh, and Carberry, it's not just the trainers themselves, but a legacy that provides them with a wealth of knowledge. Even Gold Cup winner Gavin Cromwell used ot be a farrier for Gordon Elliott. It is a smaller world than you think!
Dominance Of Grand National Entries
Why do so many Irish horses get entered into the Grand National? The main difference is that in Ireland, horse racing is a hugely important industry in the country.
It is a substantial contributor to the country's economy, and while the exact value can fluctuate yearly, it is estimated to be worth over €2.46 billion annually.
This value includes the money generated through betting, breeding, racing, and the sales of horses, as well as the associated employment it provides.
Aside from racing, the breeding industry is also a crucial component, with Ireland being the third-largest breeder of thoroughbreds in the world. They are also the largest breeder of thoroughbreds in the EU.
The racing sector also attracts significant revenue, with major festivals and events drawing in large crowds and considerable betting activity.
When racing is a dominant industry in the country, it tends to run out a significant number of racehorses, and with so much money on the line at Aintree, it only makes sense that Irish trainers would capitalise and send their runners there.
The Future
Nothing remains static forever – except taxes maybe, so undoubtedly there will come a point when the Irish lose a little of their shine.
For now, though, six of the top seven in the 2025 Grand National betting markets have come from across the pond, but whether any of them will be successful on the day remains to be seen.
Ruby Walsh had a great quote when, against all the odds, Captain Guinness won the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in 2024.
It’s one that should echo in the minds of complaining British trainers – “If you want to win the lottery, you have to buy a ticket”.
