FAR HILLS, N.J.--Irish trainers, particularly Gordon Elliott, completely dominated the steeplechase races at Far Hills Race Meeting on Saturday, Oct. 18,

Jack Kennedy and Gordon Elliott with the Grand National trophy (Photo by Tod Marks)Elliott, one of the top trainers in Ireland, brought six horses to Far Hills and won all five races, with his sixth horse finishing fifth in the featured $250,000 American Grand National

Jack Kennedy, Irish champion jockey, rode four of Elliott's winners.

Gavin Cromwell, another top Irish trainer, brought one horse to Far Hills and finished second to Elliott's horse in the $250,000 Grand National,

Elliott's horses won a total of $387,000 in purse money, making it quite a worthwhile trip.

"When you come over here, it's good to win just one race," said Elliott. "This is icing on the cake. We brought a nice bunch of horses."

Not only did the Irish horses win, they all won convincingly, with all but one winning by over 3 lengths. 

Two of them will be staying in this country, Chortal (GB), the winner of the Four Year Old Hurdle Stakes, and Coutach (GB), winner of  the Novice Hurdle Stakes. 

Chortal, owned by Erdenheim Farm Thoroughbreds, with American owners will stay here, and Del Rio Racing is in the process of buying Coutach for trainer Ricky Hendriks. 

 

CHORTAL, ridden by Kennnedy, led the entire race to win the $75,000, 2 1/8 mile Four Year Old Hurdle Stakes by 3 1/2 lengths in 4:21 1/5 over Naturally Nimble (GB). trained by Neil Morris, and Starlifter, trained by Jack Fisher.  

Zanahiyr, left, outduels Ballysax Hank after the last fence in the Grand National (Photo by Tod Marks)"I didn't really want the lead, but he settled better in front," said Kennedy, "He took off again when a horse came to him."

We're Back Again (Ire), ridden by Kennedy, won the $70,000 Mile Maiden Hurdle Stakes by 5 1/4 lengths in 4:17 over Grey Pharoh traned by Leslie Young, and Lewins Gully (Ire), trained  by Todd McKenna.

Emily Love (Ire), ridden by Kennedy, won the Filly and Mare Hurdle Stakes by 1 length  in 4:21 4/5 over Anoint, trained  by Keri Brion, and Anador (Fr), trained by McKenna.

Coutach (GB), ridden by Danny Gilligan, won the $150,000 Novice Stakes by 4 1/4 lengths over Cyber Ninja, trained by Fisher, and Batman Girac (Fr), trained by Morris.

Zanahiyr (Ire), ridden by Kennedy, won the $250,000, G1, 2 5/8 miles American Grand Nations Stakes by a neck over Ballysax Hank, trained by Cromwell, and the two Irish trained horse won by 6 1/2 lengths over Howyabud, (Ire), trained by Cyril Murphy.

The $150,000, 2 mile Flat Stakes, which had no Irish entries, was won by Fleetfoot (Ire), owned by Paul Willis, trained by Barry Foley and ridden by Danny Mulllns, by 9 lengths over Passing Game, trained by Hendriks, and Worthington, trained by Brion.