Harvey & Sue Smith win the 2013 John Smith’s Grand National
Saturday 06 April 2013
British Showjumping are thrilled to be congratulating Harvey & Sue Smith for their tremendous win with Auroras Encore in the John Smith’s Grand National this afternoon.
As the winning trainer, Sue Smith has become only the third women to have ever won the Grand National and she did it, in absolute style with a 66-1 outsider. Ridden by Ryan Mania, Auroras Encore galloped all the way to the finish line nine lengths ahead of Cappa Bleau who took the runner up place.
Iain Graham for British Showjumping commented “I speak on behalf of everyone at British Showjumping when I say that we are absolutely thrilled for you both. The race was a fantastic one to watch and you both proved to the world, once again, what an exceptional talent you have for producing horses”
Harvey is an International Ambassador for British Showjumping and only last month, finished his term on the Board. Harvey's Showjumping career saw him become a household name with his infamous win of the Hickstead Derby through to the many Championship titles and medals that he secured for Great Britain.
Since retiring from competitive riding, husband and wife team Harvey and Sue have been running a highly successful racehorse training yard on the Yorkshire Moors. Talking afterwards Harvey commented “They’ve done a first class job here at Aintree and they’ve worked hard to make it a safe course. Just look at the crowd here, they absolutely love it. The race will go on for ever”.
Asked about his thoughts on moving from Showjumping to racing he commented “Showjumping was great but I look to look forward, and I hope there’s more to come. We started messing around with racehorses about 20 years ago and got sucked into it. And horses keep you young” he said smiling.
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