This article is from page 2 of the 2006-04-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
THE bottles were well shaken and then uncorked, sending showers of champagne around the parade ring during this Easter Sunday celebration of returning Grand National heroes Martin Brassil and Numbersixvalverde.
Fittingly, the Dromoland Point-toPoint attracted one of its biggest ever crowds. Most of them had gathered to see Newmarket-on-Fergus man Brassil return in triumph to his home Point-to-Point after Numbersixvalverde’s stunning success in the 159th running of the greatest steeplechase in the world.
Sustained applause rang out around the old Dromoland Castle estate as Brassil and Numbersixvalverde arrived in the parade ring. A crowd of over 1,000 people had gathered to witness the historic occasion and show their appreciation.
“We’re in the presence of greatness here today,” came the announcement over the public address and everyone displayed their approval.
Brassil, whose introduction to national hunt racing came at the famous Dromoland Point-to-Point fixture, was bowled over by the reception.
In the emotion of the occasion, the National hero recalled how Dromoland and its racing had always inspired him.
“This is where it really started for me. When I was a young fella I would stand on top of the pier of the gate at home in Lisduff to see the top of the Turret Hill where the Point-to-Point used to be staged,” Brassil told The Clare People .
“I’d be looking up to see if I could see them setting up the course – if the tents were being erected and the fences were going up. It was the biggest day of the year and to come back here having won the Grand National and to get this reception is unbelievable.
“It’s great to be back in Dromoland in these circumstances – I’m amongst my own.
“I grew up with horses – horses were my life but you never dream of winning something like the Grand National.
“It’s the race everyone bets on, it’s the race that everybody watches – to win it has been an unbelievable experience for me and the reception I have got has been unbelievable. But this is extra-special for me, as I have come home.
“In one way, you could say that it goes in the family.
“My grandfather’s first cousin bred the winner of the Grand National – his name was William Reidy, from Rineanna, who bred Shannon Lass who won the race way back in 1902. I was aware of Shannon Lass growing up, but didn’t realise that there was a family link there,” added Brassil.