Dream come true
A teenage horse rider had a day to remember at Saturday’s Grand National.
Nineteen-year-old Laura Hoey, originally fromWishaw, had the honour of leading out MinellaTimes at Aintree.
Nineteen-year-old Laura is a rider for top Irish trainer Henry de Bromhead in Waterford and was trackside as Minella Times stormed to victory in the world’s greatest steeplechase.
It was all the more special as Rachael Blackmore became the first female rider to win the National having already created history by becoming the leading jockey at last month’s Cheltenham Festival.
A delighted Laura said:“It was everything I thought it would be.
“I still don’t think I could properly put it into words.
“Just leading out Minella was such a big thing for me and then for Rachael to do what she did was unbelievable.
“Myselfandmyworkmateswere standing in the middle of the track and whenweknewMinellawasgoingtowin we were going crazy.
“I’ve had to go and get a packet of throat lozengers as I’ve lost my voice.
“Henry also had Balko Des Flos who finished second so we were all delighted.”
Laura’s passion for horses began at an early age and she got her first pony when she was 10.
She went to racing school in Newmarket when she was just 16 and started working in the industry the following year.
TheHenrydeBromheadyardisoneof the most successful in National Hunt racing with six big winners at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival with Rachael’s victories propelling her to superstardom.
Laura is delighted she is part of such a brilliant team.
“Rachael is just super cool,”said Laura. “Whenever she wins she stays really calm.When she wins she always maintains that it’s a team effort.
“I’m very lucky to be doing what I’m doing.”
ProuddadTom,whomovedfromthe town in 2003, watched the race from his home in St Helens, Merseyside, as were many close family and friends back in Wishaw.
Tom said:“When she was growing up, horses were always Laura’s thing. She went to Newmarket to do her qualifications whenshewas16.
“Shewasupanddownthecountry trying to find a yard but then she settled in Ireland and has been there for nine months.
“When I was younger the build-up to the National started at eight in the morning. I remember picking horses and my brother getting marched down to the bookies in Craigneukwhenhewas10or11.
“Myself and Laura have attended the National eight or nine times and that was in the cheap end!We just love it.
“As a parent I couldn’t be more proud of her.”