Martin Brassil has been associated with Irish horse racing for many years. Over the years, he’s mainly focused his efforts on the Irish circuit but has been fortunate enough to have a small number of horses that have taken him to the bigger stage.
The biggest of those was Numbersixvalverde, a horse who not only took him to the Irish Grand National with a win in 2005 but also won the Aintree Grand National a year later. He went back to defend his crown but could only finish sixth, while others such as Longhouse Poet have managed to take Brassil to the significant events too.
Martin Brassil Grand National Wins
- 2006 - Numbersixvalverde ridden by Niall Madden Jnr
Full Results
| Year | Horse | Result | Prize Money | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Panda Boy | 17 | - | James “JJ” Slevin |
| 2023 | Longhouse Poet | Fence 8 - Unseated Rider | - | James “JJ” Slevin |
| 2022 | Longhouse Poet | 6 | £30,000 | Darragh O’Keefe |
| 2014 | Double Seven | 3 | £105,500 | Tony McCoy |
| 2007 | Numbersixvalverde | 6 | £9,380 | Niall Madden Jnr |
| 2006 | Numbersixvalverde | 1 | £399,140 | Niall Madden Jnr |
First Grand National Winner In 2006
The 2006 Grand National had one huge storyline running through it in the build-up to the race and on the day. That was Hedgehunter, who was back in the race after winning in 2005 and looking to land back-to-back titles.
He was 5/1 joint-favourite with Clan Royal, a horse in with a massive chance for Tony McCoy, but on the day, both were overshadowed by an Irish runner that came through to win the race and spoil the part for punters. In a very tough renewal, where just nine horses completed the course, Numbersixvalverde took the race under Niall Madden for trainer Martin Brassil. Hedgehunter came in second, Clan Royal was third, but neither were good enough to stop this horse.
The win wasn’t a huge shock, he was sent off at 11/1 to win the race and would have been shorter was it not for the hugely popular Hedgehunter and Tony McCoy taking a lot of money. An Irish Grand National win in 2005 showcased his credentials, and on an even bigger stage, Numbersixvalverde delivered.
The winning distance on the day was six lengths, and from the final flight, there was no danger of Numbersixvalverde losing the race, he jumped the best and was the one horse that seemingly had plenty left in the tank for the finish. Given the two horses behind him, this was certainly no fluke and a thoroughly deserved victory for the small yard.
A year later, the horse would come back and finish sixth, he was injured during the race and unfortunately, that would be the last time we saw him race.
Famous Horses Trained By Martin Brassil
Here are some of the bigger names trained by Martin Brassil during his career.
Numbersixvalverde
Longhouse Poet
Double Seven