Andy Win completes historic Grand National Hurdle and Steeplechase double
In a remarkable feat not seen in nearly a century, the Grand National Hurdle and Grand National Steeplechase double has been achieved once more. Shane Jackson's charge, Andy Win, delivered a commanding performance, securing a decisive 12-length triumph in the 2026 edition of the premier jumps race at Ballarat.
While the landscape of jumps racing has evolved since Mosstrooper's 1930 triumph at Flemington, the profound significance of this achievement remains undiminished for those involved. This was particularly true for Andy Win ($3.30 favourite), who navigated a potentially race-ending injury sustained just days before the event.
"I'm not an emotional sort of person but it has been a rollercoaster with this horse and it has been a stressful week," Jackson said.
"I can tell people now that this horse schooled here on Monday when it was waterlogged and on Tuesday evening he'd come out with a bloody foot abscess.
"I thought, 'I can't tell anybody about this and I can't tell jockey, for sure'.
"Thankfully I have a great farrier in Ballarat and my brilliant vets in Warrnambool. I'm lost for words. This is peak."
The scheduling shift, with the Hurdle and Steeplechase features now separated by a fortnight after being held a week apart before 2008, means Andy Win's accomplishment is now bracketed with Tallyho Twinkletoe's 2019 double, following the Grand National Hurdle (4200m) at Sandown on August 2 and this 4600-metre contest.
Remarkably, Andy Win only commenced his jumping career in May of the previous year.
For jockey Tom Ryan, this marked his second Grand National Steeplechase win, having previously saluted in 2011.
"I wouldn't want to know, to be honest," Ryan said when told of the horse's injury prior.
"He was a bit flat over the third last fence but when I got stuck into him, he came alive."
Earlier in the program, Ryan guided the heavily backed favourite, The Cunning Fox ($1.60), to a narrow victory in the JJ Houlihan Hurdle. The second choice had established a commanding lead of over 20 lengths with a circuit remaining in the 3250m race featuring only three runners.
"Horses like Andy Win and The Cunning Fox, they're just warriors," Ryan added.
Explore the latest racing odds at leading online bookmakers.
More Racing News
Waller's formidable team set for Group One season start
Chris Waller is poised to unleash a formidable team for the Group One Winx Stakes, with star mare Autumn Glow set to lead the charge. The champion trainer will make a final decision later in the week regarding how many stablemates will join her in the 1400-metre feature.On Saturday at...
Shadhavar demonstrates staying power with Caulfield win
Maturity has been a significant asset for Shadhavar, who added another Stakes victory to her impressive resume with a determined run in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.Coming off a two-race preparation last term that saw Shadhavar achieve success at Listed level, the mare has continued...
Althoff triumphs over G1 contenders at Rosehill
In a notable performance at Rosehill, Althoff, despite being less heralded than some of his Chris Waller stablemates, secured a significant victory over Group 1 performer Attica, guided by an astute ride from Zac Lloyd.Positioned patiently in the midfield, Althoff ($3.60) navigated through the field in the final stages, unleashing...
Cosmic Crusader remains undefeated in Melbourne
A rare appearance from Western Australian owner Bob Peters saw him cheer on Cosmic Crusader as the horse preserved its perfect Melbourne racing record in the P B Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield.The horse, now prepared at Pakenham by Andrea Leek, has won both starts since arriving from Perth.Cosmic Crusader first...
Chilly Girl returns with victory in The Rosebud
Chilly Girl followed the quick pace of Blue Door into the home straight, leading to a hard-fought duel between the two fillies over the final 200 metres.Ultimately, the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou trained Chilly Girl emerged victorious near the finish line, recording a commanding and widening margin of victory.This...
Natural Fling too fast for rivals in Quezette Stakes
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy training partnership has a wealth of choices with the exciting filly Natural Fling, who achieved a commanding victory first-up at Caulfield.The father-and-son training duo may well be looking at a Group 1 sprint in the weeks ahead for the Home Affairs filly, following her triumph...
Lloyd guides Eagle Express to victory at Rosehill
Trainer Chris Waller and jockey James McDonald, usually an unstoppable force, found themselves on opposing sides at Rosehill, with Waller seizing the opportunity to his advantage.With the Waller-trained mare Eagle Express ($4) carrying a light 52kg in Saturday's Asahi Super Dry Handicap over 1200m, lightweight hoop Zac Lloyd was booked....
Polyglot's win provides a boost for trainer Michael Freedman
Trainer Michael Freedman was still coming to terms with the stewards' decision regarding Transcend's defeat when Polyglot secured a victory for the stable in the very next event, the Proven Thoroughbreds Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.Freedman was momentarily surprised when the trainer of the third-place finisher, Street Artist,...
Hard Kick bounces back to winning ways at Caulfield
The Lindsay Park training partnership of Ben, Will, and J D Hayes had their belief in Hard Kick vindicated as the three-year-old colt rediscovered winning form at Caulfield.Having debuted a winner down the Flemington straight in February, Hard Kick was heavily backed as an odds-on favourite for his return over...
Yellow Jersey shines in Caulfield Heath trial, eyes Cox Plate
A French import, Yellow Jersey, trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, has taken the lead in a specially organised trial at Caulfield Heath, finishing ahead of Mr Brightside in preparation for Saturday's Caulfield meeting.The Dubawi colt is being readied for a shot at the prestigious Cox Plate, which this year...