The rags to riches story of Hewick added another chapter when he claimed the $250,000 American Grand National at Far Hills in America on Saturday afternoon.
The seven-year-old who was snapped up by his trainer Shark Hanlon for just €850 at the 2017 Goresbridge October Sale, had already won the Bet365 Gold Cup and Galway Plate earlier in the year, and the Virtual gelding, who failed to finish in three outings in the pointing fields at the outset of his career, added another bit pot to his haul.
Once sent to the front by Jordan Gainford, the outcome never appeared to be in any doubt as they defeated Noah And The Ark by 11 and a half lengths.
“He travels so well. Everyone was saying that the (2m5f) trip was too short, that we were wrong to come here, but this horse has an awful lot more pace than what people think he has. He proved that in Galway and he definitely proved it today.
"It's just a great feeling, and a beautiful track. They have such a good job done on it, oh my God, it's amazing. The ground was beautiful, the crowds here, lads, we would never get anything like this in Ireland, so we wouldn't.
"It's a beautiful place and fair dues, there's a lot of work after going into this place, and fair dues to the track and management."
Jordan Gainford added: "Fair play to Shark, he always has him bang on, and to TJ [McDonald] and all the lads in Shark's, it's a big gang of lads there and I'm just very fortunate to get on him.
"My agent at home, Gary Cribbin, got me on this lad back at Listowel nearly a year and a half ago now.
"Look it, they could have got anyone over here to ride him but, in fairness they brought me over and I really appreciate that, it's unbelievable.
"When he hits the front, he doesn't do much. In his previous runs he just loves galloping, he's a relentless horse to gallop really.”
It proved to a notable afternoon for ex-Irish Pointers as Ted Hastings, who had started his career by winning a Dromahane maiden for Peter Flood, had the measure of fellow Irish pointer Howyabud to win the Foxbrook Champion Hurdle for Davy Russell and Gordon Elliott.
