Irish-trained horse bought for €800 wins American Grand National

An Irish-trained horse which was bought for just €800 has won the American Grand National.

Trained by Carlow's John Joseph Hanlon ('Shark'), 'Hewick' won tonight's big race at Far Hills, taking his career winnings to close to €500,000.

Hewick became the "People's Champion" over a remarkable season of racing triumphs.

Speaking after Hewick's win, Mr Hanlon said he has never seen anything like the horse's success.

"It is something you dream of. It normally doesn’t happen to me, but it happened today. It’s an unreal horse," he added.

Mr Hanlon added that there was an "awful lot of Irish people in America" that came out to support them today and that the atmosphere during the race was electric.

He thanked all supporters back at home and said celebrations will continue when the team arrive back from America.

"It's a great story," Mr Hanlon had said earlier this week.

"It's something you dream but seldom do. We were in Goresbridge and this horse was there we saw him and liked him, then brought him home and from that day to this, everything has gone right.

"A lot of things can go wrong but everything with this horse went right, and we are really looking forward to America now," Mr Hanlon added.

Additional reporting: Eamon Horan