ONE of the favourites for Saturday’s Grand National is owned by local businessman Trevor Hemmings.
He has three horses running in the world-famous steeplechase, but Hedgehunter was this morning joint-favourite.Speaking to the Jersey Evening Post from Aintree this morning, Mr Hemmings said: ‘We are highly optimistic that Hedgehunter will have a good race.
Whenever horses go out to race they go out to battle.
They are herd animals and can only be controlled by good jockeys.’Mr Hemmings also has Southern Star and Artic Jack running in the big race.
‘We have three very good horses in the event and I am really hopeful that I will achieve my dream of winning the National.’The last two Grand Nationals have caused major setbacks for Mr Hemmings, after Goguenard and The Last Fling died in successive races, in 2002 and 2003.
Trained in Ireland at one of three stud farms owned by the multi-millionaire St Brelade resident, Hedgehunter is firmly joint-favourite with Jurancon II and Clan Royal.
Mr Hemmings, who also has five other horses racing throughout the Aintree Festival weekend, began his working career as a bricklayer before going on to own major stakes in companies which own the Pontins Holiday Group and Blackpool Tower.
He also owned the Inn on the Park.Speaking about why the Grand National is such an important race to him, Mr Hemmings said: ‘Ever since Fred Pontin’s horse Specify won the National in 1971, I have wanted to win it myself after he challenged me to do so.
I love this weekend of races.’
Article posted on 1st April, 2004 - 12.00am
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