Walker dominates the 2025 Grand National Steeplechase

 Ballarat’s season-closing Grand National Steeplechase carried the promise of a fairytale ending for punters, but the $400,000 contest instead underlined the depth of Mark Walker’s team as the trainer celebrated an extraordinary trifecta.

Leaderboard stole the show in the 4500-metre test, with Will Gordon steering him to a commanding 25-length victory. Stable companions The Mighty Spar and Prismatic filled second and third, giving Walker a clean sweep in the prestigious race.

Noonday Gun, heavily supported as the $1.75 favourite, appeared poised to duel with Leaderboard in the straight but fell at the final fence, handing the race emphatically to the Kiwi galloper. Walker said the win was especially meaningful given the role these horses play in his operation.

“It was just great to see all three horses come back safe and the girls that strap them, Hayley with the winner, Emma with The Mighty Spar and Lisa with Prismatic, they just love these horses,” Walker said.

“They’ve sort of got a dual-purpose, too. They help out in the stables with the yearlings and they’ve got the yearlings going really well this year, so it’s a dual-purpose theme.”

Stern Idol, the $3.40 second favourite, was ridden quietly by Steven Pateman before attempting to apply pressure with 1200m to run, but the 74kg topweight was unable to sustain his challenge and faded to fourth, some 26 lengths behind Leaderboard.

The race nearly reached a dramatic climax, with Noonday Gun recovering from interference at the third-last fence to launch again, only to falter at the final jump. Both horse and rider Tom Ryan escaped without injury.

For Gordon, it was a milestone moment in the saddle.

“I can’t really believe it. I went out there with no pressure, just riding the race and riding the horse, and going down the back that last time I thought, ‘I’ve still got a bit of horse, so I might be in the finish’. He’s just a legend,” Gordon said.

“It’s great because this is one of the ones I’ve been missing off the mantelpiece.”

Leaderboard, now an 11-year-old son of Street Cry, has enjoyed a storied career that began in Ireland before a successful stint in New Zealand, where he captured the Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m). With his latest triumph, his prizemoney tally has climbed to $861,388.