Highly rated Irish horses at the 2024 Grand National

Excitement levels in the British horse racing calendar reach fever pitch in April, with the Randox Health Grand National Festival being the key event of the spring season…

Here in Wexford, all eyes have been on the Irish contingent in the leadup to the 2024 edition. Irish runners and riders have long proven their immense talent in the event, and this year’s spectacle has been especially interesting as Irish National champion and Wexford-born jockey JJ Slevin hoped to make history.

Taking place at Aintree Racecourse, the National steeplechase is among the top-class races in the Northern Hemisphere, and Ireland’s delegation this year included one-time leading favourite Conflated (Gordon Elliott) and Martin Brassil’s Panda Boy, who JJ Slevin was aiming to score that coveted National double on. At the time of writing, the race is still anyone’s to win, but we have a funny feeling that an Irish horse might well be first past the post come April 12th.

Why are the Irish so good at horse racing?

Anyone with even just a passing interest in horse racing will know how dominant a force Irish talent is in the industry. That’s no fluke, however, but the result of generations of horsemanship, exceptional training and breeding. From sprawling thoroughbred stud farms to the local riding school, horsemanship is deeply woven into Irish culture.

The methods used by our renowned trainers play a crucial role in Ireland’s success at the races. Trainers like Willie Mullins and Aidan O’Brien are renowned the world-over for their meticulous attention to detail, which, coupled with their deep understanding of each horse in their stable’ quirks and strength makes them a formidable force on a global scale.

Then, there’s the calibre of the thoroughbreds that come from Irish studs. Ireland is home to some of the finest bloodlines in the world, with generation after generation of careful breeding producing tenacious horses with the speed, stamina and resilience needed to excel in the demanding field of National Hunt racing. It’s no wonder that in addition to scoping the lion’s share of trophies, Irish-bred horses are also in demand by owners and trainers from around the globe.

Ireland’s 2024 Grand National Cohort

One of the most exciting aspects of live jumps racing is that, come the day of an event, anything can happen. This is especially true of the National, where changes can take place despite runners and riders being confirmed in the days leading up to it. In 2024, the following Irish horses have been causing a stir with their confirmed appearances.

Conflated

Gordon Elliot’s high class chaser scooped the Irish Gold Cup and Savills Chase at Leopardstown and has been turning heads as a top favourite. At 10 years old, he certainly brings the experience needed to sustain the challenges of the National course, and was well raced in the lead-up with appearances at Punchestown and Cheltenham.

I Am Maximus

In true Willie Mullins form, the legendary County Carlow trainer had a boatload of entrants for the 2024 National with 8-year-old I Am Maximus, in particular, catching the eyes of the racing community. Coming into the season with a Grade 2 win at Fairyhouse, he also took on Galopin Des Champs at Leopardstown and showed cracking form during the Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham.

Meetingofthewaters

Another Mullins-trained horse earmarked as one to watch this season, the 7-year-old blazed through his beginners’ chase and then scooped the Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown in December. Third in the Cheltenham Ultima, we’ll likely see Meetingofthewaters in more than one Aintree showing.

Where It All Began

A promising novice chaser from Gordon Elliot, Where It All Began entered the circuit in style with a win at the Punchestown Grand National trail in February. Although lightly raced, he’s been making noticeable incremental improvements this season and may well be a potential future National winner for the storied trainer.