Great day for Irish women in sport
20/1 outsider Thunder And Roses, trained by Sandra Hughes and ridden by Katie Walsh, won the feature of today’s action at Fairyhouse, the BoyleSports Irish Grand National Chase at Fairyhouse.
The horse,by the Michael O Leary Gigginstown stable, came up strong to take home the top prize on WEaster Monday under a masterful ride by Walsh. She becomes just the third female jockey ever to win the race.
The win is a bitter-sweet moment for trainer Sandra Hughes who took over the running of her family stable after the death of her father Dessie last year.
Walsh pipped Rule the World into second while Sizing Coal came home in third with Band Of Blood who had led for much of the race finishing in fourth while Alderwood came home fifth.
There was no joy for AP McCoy on board Cantlow who came home the unplaced favourite.
Derval O Rourke was quick to pay tribute to a famous day for Irish sportswomen:
https://twitter.com/DervalORourke/status/585113288184373249
