Haiti Couleurs powers to Irish Grand National glory as emotional Sean Bowen hails ‘unbelievable' win
SEAN BOWEN was left shocked as the soon-to-be champion jockey in Britain claimed the Irish Grand National with Haiti Couleurs.
The 13-2 shot raced prominently alongside Bushmans Pass before the rival faded as he ploughed onto victory at
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Sean Bowen celebrates onboard Haiti Couleurs on their way to winning the BoyleSports Irish Grand National Chase on day three of the Fairyhouse Easter Festival
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Wales' Sean Bowen and winning trainer Rebecca Curtis became the first non-Irish winners of the race since 2014
Bowen had kept plenty in reserve as Haiti Couleurs pulled clear to win by three and a quarter lengths from the ever-game Any Second Now with Quai De Bourbon third and Dunboyne fourth.
Speaking to
He said: "I honestly can't believe it. He was doing a half-speed the whole way round, he was hacking and at the same time I was frightened as he got fairly revved up beforehand.
"I actually thought I'm a bit too keen, as he was doing everything in second gear.
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"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. No words, no words."
He added: "To be champion jockey is all I've ever wanted and I supposed 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."
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Haiti Couleurs has now been trimmed into 14-1 from 25-1 for next year's Grand National at Aintree by Betfair Sportsbook.
But trainer
America's oldest horse racing track lays abandoned after closing down following 170 years of history
The all-Welsh success for Rebecca Curtis and Sean Bowen was the first non-Irish winner since 2014.
The Brizzle Boys owned horse's trainer was shocked but delighted with the result.
She added: "He's just so tough. I was a little bit worried as he likes to jump his way to the front and all the time I hoped he wasn't doing too much. After the second last I got excited and I knew he'd keep going.
"We went a bit wild when he won. I'm a speechless now. It's amazing and a massive boost for the yard.
"Could you ever imagine he can become a Gold Cup-type horse? He's not slow, I know he's won over three [miles] five [furlongs] in his last two races but he doesn't need to have that trip. He loves Cheltenham too."
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