Irish Shipper Zanahiyr Takes American Grand National
The main event at Far Hills Oct. 18 was the American Grand National Hurdle Stakes (NSA-1), but the race and the day of racing in New Jersey belonged to horses and humans from Ireland.
Irish trainer Gordon Elliott won all five jump races at Far Hills Saturday, all with countryman Jack Kennedy aboard, including the American Grand National in dramatic fashion. Late-running Zanahiyr , struggling early in his first attempt on United States soil, grew more comfortable as the race wore on, and he swooped to victory to edge fellow Irish shipper, the Gavin Gromwell-trained Ballysax Hank .
Jack Kennedy is all smiles as he holds the winner’s trophy aloft with trainer Gordon Elliott after winning the American Grand National
Zanahiyr paid $6.60 for a $2 win wager in capturing the $250,000 race contested over hurdles at 2 5/8 miles.
Howyabud was a distant third and last year’s American Grand National winner and reigning Eclipse Award-winning steeplechase horse, Snap Decision , was fourth.
All the starters carried level weight of 156 pounds.
Zanahiyr is an 8-year-old chestnut gelding by Nathaniel out of the Marju mare Zariyna . Bred in Ireland by His Highness the Aga Khan’s Studs, he races for owner Bective Stud. With Saturday’s race, Zanahiyr notched his third straight victory after two wins for much smaller purses in Ireland this summer.
