In his early days Gordon Elliott won the most famous of all steeplechases when he won the English Grand national with Silver Birch. He tended to head east to the Uk to meetings in track s like Pert where he could place horses to win races for connections. Today, (American time) he has headed west to the green fields of Far Hills in New Jersey, USA. All five winners were ridden by Jack Kennedy, ”a perfect day” as the excited commentator screamed as Zanahiyr pipped Cromwell’s horse on the line to win the last one, the American Grand National.

He has landed five winners with his top owner Bective Stud’s  Zanahiyr winning the Grade one with a total purse of $250,000. Five winners from five races for the Cullentra stable in south Meath Meath. Elliott won’t need to be on anyone’s else rocket power this weekend.

Jack Kennedy does enough to get up on the line to win the American Grand with Zanahiyr to beat Ballysax hire ridden by Keith Donoghue. Sat 18th Oct 25 , Far Hills NJ USa

The five winners were, Race 1 Chortal 4/5F, race 2 We’re Back Again 10/3 JF, race 3 Emily Love 8/11F, race 4 Coutach 8/11F and Zanahiyr 7/4. What an achievement, in the last race lo and behold his county man Gavin Cromwell trained the second horse home Ballysax Hank  11/10 SP favourite. 

Incidentally it has been a great week down in south Meath, as Summerhill GFC picked up their 9th Keegan Cup. The main sponsor is Gordon Elliott’s yard. When your hot, your hot!

Meanwhile in the Uk,  with the forthcoming budget next month, suggesting impending gambling tax rises has created possible job cuts with even Betfred chief executive, claiming all their shops 1,300 will close.  It also comes too, in the week, were announcements have been made by Paddy Power to close over 50 offices in Ireland,  as profitability and sustainability of jobs can no longer be guaranteed, in the Irish market, changing times throughout the industry.