HEWICK ran out an easy winner of the American Grand National in Far Hills, New Jersey, on Saturday.

Trained by John ‘Shark’ Hanlon in Co Carlow, Hewick was purchased for just €850 in 2018 at Goresbridge Sales and has now won approximately €500,000 in prize money.

Wexford jockey Jordan Gainford was on board the seven-year-old gelding in the American race and the partnership were always travelling comfortably. They moved to the front before the second last fence and only had to be pushed out to win by 10 lengths.

The race, run over two miles and five furlongs, and featuring obstacles similar to Irish point-to-point fences, had total prize money of $250,000, with the winner earning €160,000.

Hanlon and his family dedicated the win to the late Jack de Bromhead, the 13-year-old pony racing jockey who died in a riding accident last month.

Hewick began his winning spree exactly 12 months ago when successful in the Durham National in Sedgefield. After a winter break, he won the Sandown Gold Cup in April and then the Galway Plate in July.

Last month Hewick looked an unlucky loser in the Kerry National when unseating his jockey at the final fence. His trainer immediately nominated the American Grand National as the horse’s next target, a highly unusual choice of race for such a highly-rated horse.

Hanlon will now give his stable star a winter break and prepare him for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.

FULL RACE