Haiti Couleurs collects brilliant Irish Grand National victory
Sean Bowen celebrates onboard Haiti Couleurs on their way to winning the Irish Grand National by three and three-quarters lengths from the gallant Any Second Now. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
The heart-on-his-sleeve Haiti Couleurs produced a performance of dogged determination to ensure the BoyleSports Irish Grand National would be sailing back across the Irish Sea to the Welsh valleys.
Trained by Pembrokeshire-based Rebecca Curtis and ridden by British champion jockey-elect Sean Bowen, the lightly-raced eight-year-old, having just his fifth outing over fences, came here on the back of a victory in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, and it remained to be seen how much that had taken out of him.
Not a huge amount, was the abundantly obvious answer as he set off in front and made every yard of the running. Bushmans Pass kept him company early, and there was always the threat of the chasing pack, which included the race’s youngest competitor, the six-year-old Quai De Bourbon, and the game Dunboyne. But it was the elder statesman of the party, the 13-year-old Any Second Now, who provided the final challenge.
The latter, who was runner-up here in 2024, belied his advancing years with a sprightly display but Haiti Couleurs, in great shape and given a beautifully judged front-running ride by Bowen, galloped all the way to the line to beat him by three and a half lengths, with Quai De Bourbon third and Dunboyne fourth.
“Sean said to me: ‘I thought we had another circuit to go, I was in second gear the whole way,’” revealed Curtis.
“He’s so tough to do it like he’s done it from the front, and on that ground as well. It was a bit of a worry but it’s not a bother to him. He travelled well and although he stays well, he’s not a slow horse at all. He’s got a high cruising speed.”
Curtis, who has enjoyed multiple successes at the Cheltenham Festival and also had a couple of minor winners on these shores, felt there was something even greater about this success.
“This feels like one of our best wins, I think, just for the atmosphere, and everything,” she admitted. “I felt the pressure coming here today — I haven’t slept for probably about two weeks. It is hard to come here and win an Irish handicap, and that’s why it’s so good.”
The winning rider, who is son of trainer Peter Bowen, was crowned champion conditional in Britain in 2015 and while he is on the verge of a first senior title, the importance of winning races of this ilk was not lost on the 27-year-old.
“I honestly can't believe it,” said Bowen. “He was just doing a half speed the whole way around. I was hacking, but at the same time I was frightened because he got fairly revved up beforehand.
“I actually thought he was a bit too keen, but he was doing everything in second gear. I'm so grateful to everyone. Obviously, I couldn't ride him at Cheltenham and I'm so grateful to Becky for letting me back on him. He just stays very well and jumps very, very well. I have no words.
“To be champion jockey is all I've ever wanted, and I suppose when you get it, then you want to do more. I need the big winners as well and it's great that this lad has done it for me.”
Any Second Now was, figuratively, carried out on his shield, having once again given everything in his bid for a National breakthrough. Having filled the same berth here in 2024 and been third in the Aintree National in 2021 and second there a year later, his career may read as frustrating, but the seven-time winner did his connections incredibly proud on what was his last outing of a career that goes back to 2016.
“Great horse,” said Ted Walsh, holding back tears. “He’s nine seasons with us. He won his first race at Navan, won a Moscow Flyer over two miles — he won several races over two — won a Bobbyjo over three, won a Webster Cup over two and a half, finished placed in two English Nationals, and now second in two Irish Nationals.
“Other than winning, you couldn’t get a better result. A better horse beat him on the day, and a better horse beat him last year, and that’s all you can do.
“That’s definitely the last time (he’ll run). I’m delighted he’s going out sound. I’d have been happy today once he pulled up and ran a good race. A win would have been fairytale stuff, but he definitely won’t run again. He’ll enjoy himself. He’s a great auld horse. He did everything right, a better horse beat him on the day, and I’m just delighted that he did himself proud.”
