Irish Grand National winner born and bred in Drum

The winner of the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse last week, Lord Lariat, was bred locally in Drum by Donal Walker.

The Irish Grand National is the biggest National Hunt race in Ireland and this victory is, by some distance, the most significant Donal has ever been involved with.

Donal sold Lord Lariat as a yearling six years ago but the Athlone man was in Fairyhouse on Easter Monday and was naturally delighted to witness the horse’s wonderful success.

Lord Lariat, trained by Dermot McLoughlin and ridden by Paddy O’Hanlon, came home at odds of 40/1. But Donal had backed him at an even more favourable price of 66/1. Indeed, Donal said the owners had punted on him at 100/1 the previous Friday.

“Days like that are what you dream of. To be involved with the winner was a great occasion,” said Donal, who is still in regular contact with the horse’s owners, Pat Blake from Clare and PJ Casey from Meath.

“It’s great to have a horse running in the Grand National, never mind winning it. I have friends involved in breeding horses and some of them have never had a winner in any race,” Donal continued.

It was the second year in a row for McLoughlin to train the Grand National winner. Freewheelin’ Dylan – a previous winner of the Midlands National in Kilbeggan – won the Irish National last year.

Donal was confident before the race that Lord Lariat would produce a fine performance.

“He was a good weight and he won on the course twice before. The ground suited him, his stable was in good form and the jockey did a fine job with him,” said Donal.

“I thought he would finish in the top four or five. I could see him being in the shake-up, but I wasn’t sure he’d win it.

“Paddy O’Hanlon actually lives only about five kilometres from the racecourse in Fairyhouse and Dermot McLoughlin lives near there as well.”

Lord Lariat’s connections are now considering aiming for the famed Aintree Grand National next year.

Donal’s father Johnny Walker was a renowned jockey and Donal followed suit on the point-to-point circuit.

Indeed, Lord Lariat’s mother, Johnny’s Pride, was called after Donal’s late dad.

“The horse was born the year before my father died - she was the last foal we had before he died. That’s how the name came about,” he explained.

“Johnny’s Pride won three point-to-point races and she was second five times. She was a good mare and I had her full sister and the fellas who bought Lord Lariat, they came back looking for more. I also sold them the full sister of Lord Lariat, a four-year-old who has only been ‘broken’ recently.”

A native of Cloghanboy in Athlone, Donal has been living in Drum for over 30 years where his yard and stables are located.

Donal generally runs Fir Hill Stables in Drum himself but he is grateful for the assistance of loyal friends and neighbours for assistance when needed. “If I’m stuck, there are a few guys I can call on. As long as I’m able to do it, I’ll keep going,” he said.

Donal is married to Kay and they have two daughters, Tracey and Lauren, and they have helped out with the stables over the years.

“I’ve been involved with horses all my life. My father before me was a jockey. My father won a good few point-to-point races. I rode in point-to-point races too but without much success. He was part of the South Westmeath Hunt and I’ve been involved in it myself as well,” Donal added.