Hundreds turn out to welcome home Mullins' Grand National heroes
Grand National winner Nick Rockett pictured with jockey Patrick Mullins, Willie Mullins trainer, groom Katie Walton and owner Stewart Andrew during a hero’s welcome at his homecoming in Leighlinbridge. Photo: michaelorourkephotography.ie
The locals of Leighlinbridge have grown accustomed to seeing equine superstars paraded through the streets after high level success but all those great occasions were surely eclipsed by what occurred on Wednesday afternoon.
In glorious sunshine, hundreds lined the streets as the first three horses home in one of the world’s most famous horse races, the Randox Grand National National, were given the reception they so richly deserved.
Winner Nick Rockett, second placed I Am Maximus and third placed Grangeclare West were treated like Hollywood stars as locals, young and old, queued to get a glimpse of the Willie Mullins trained trio.
It was a day of days for Mullins, who was so overcome with emotion after watching his son Patrick ride the winner to victory.
Patrick was on hand to ride Nick Rockett through the streets where he grew up. Injury prevented Paul Townend from attending but Danny Mullins filled in on last year’s winner I Am Maximus while Brian Hayes was on Grangeclare West.
All three happily posed for photos and signed anything that was thrust in their direction by the adoring public. Well over an hour after arriving Willie was still happily chatting away to well wishers who had travelled from far and wide just to be part of such a historic occasion.
Nick Rockett’s owner Stewart Andrew travelled over from England to join in the celebrations and had with him the beautiful Grand National trophy, while groom Katie Walton helped keep the horse calm amidst all the excitement.
The celebrations in the Lord Bagenal Inn continued long into the night and even for an area that has seen many of these kind of scenes, this was something special.
