{"id":66649,"date":"2025-10-15T15:00:01","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T15:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/?p=66649"},"modified":"2025-10-15T15:14:47","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T15:14:47","slug":"american-grand-national-runners-2025-and-jockeys-far-hills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/news\/american-grand-national-runners-2025-and-jockeys-far-hills\/","title":{"rendered":"American Grand National Runners 2025 Include Two Gordon Elliott Entries"},"content":{"rendered":"

The American Grand National runners for 2025 are out and UK and Irish horse racing fans will see some familiar names on the entries list. Including two runners for Gordon Elliott and one for recent Velka Pardubicka-winning handler Gavin Cromwell.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

American Grand National Runners See Three Irish Raiders Heading To New Jersey<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Three-time Aintree Grand National winning trainer Gordon Elliott is on the ‘National Trail’ again this weekend – this time in the American version.<\/p>\n

For those that don’t know, the race is staged Far Hills racecourse, which is in New Jersey and about a seven-hour flight from Ireland.<\/p>\n

However, unlike the Nationals we’re used to, the US counterpart is actually run over hurdles at 2m5f – only in America, right?<\/p>\n

But there is a decent purse on offer – with \u00a3188k going to the winner. Which is why the race has attracted some familiar names from Ireland.<\/p>\n

Gordon Elliott is sending over two American Grand National runners – ZANAHIYR<\/strong> and FIL DOR.<\/strong><\/p>\n

While Gavin Cromwell, who won last Sunday’s Velka Pardubicka in the Czech Republic with Stumptown, will run BALLYSAX HANK.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Elliott is also no stranger to targeting his Far Hills prize. Having won the American Grand National in 2018 with Jury Duty, while his Galvin was a neck runner-up 12 months ago.<\/p>\n

Nicky Henderson, who doesn’t have any runners in 2025, is also a past winner of the race – taking the pot in 2019 with Brain Power.<\/p>\n

Plus, former King George VI Chase winner Hewick was also a famous previous winner of the American Grand National (watch below) in 2022.<\/p>\n

American Grand National 2025: When Is The Far Hills Race?
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"American
American Grand National Runners 2025 Will See Eight Heading To Post<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Staged at the Far Hills race meeting, the American Grand National is a race run over a trip of 2m 5f – over 14 fixed hurdles.<\/p>\n

With the $300,000 contest a Grade 1 event for 4+ year-olds.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcc5Date: Saturday, October 18th, 2025 (8:45pm UK Time)
\n\ud83c\udfc7Racetrack: Far Hills race meeting, New Jersey
\n\ud83d\udcb0 Purse: $300,000 (Winner \u00a3118,110)
\n\ud83d\udcfa TV: FOX Sports<\/p>\n

The American Grand National will be run on the same day as British Champions Day<\/a>. Which is taking place at Ascot racecourse on Saturday.<\/p>\n

And includes a fascinating clash between Delacroix and Ombuidsman in the Champion Stakes<\/a>, worth \u00a3800k to the winner.<\/p>\n

Irish American Grand National Charge Led By Zanahiyr, Fil Dor and Ballysax Hank<\/strong><\/h2>\n

One of the two Gordon Elliott American Grand National runners Zanahiyr was last seen winning the Ploughman Bar & Grill Handicap Hurdle at Bellewstown in Ireland back in August.<\/p>\n

A win that came off the back of a smooth success at Galway over fences earlier that month.<\/p>\n

He’ll be joined by stablemate Fil Dor, who most will now know as the \u20ac620,000 purchase that has only won once since commanding that hefty price tag.<\/p>\n

This grey was last seen running third to another 2025 American Grand National runner – Ballysax Hank – at Gowran Park in September.<\/p>\n

Gordon Elliott will also send over Coutach, who goes in the American Champion Hurdle at 8:04pm GMT.<\/p>\n

This 4 year-old is also owned by Paul Byrne, who has the already mentioned Ballysax Hank in the National.<\/p>\n

Last Year’s American Grand National Winner Snap Decision Back For More<\/strong><\/h2>\n

12 months ago, the Jack Fisher-trained Snap Decision saw off Galvin and former Epsom Derby favourite High Definition in a thrilling finish of necks (watch below).<\/p>\n

And Snap Decision, now aged 11, is returning on Saturday to try and defend his American Grand National crown.<\/p>\n

He was ridden by jockey Graham Watters, who UK jump racing fans might remember riding a lot for Lucinda Russell in the past.<\/p>\n

Watters is in the saddle again as the pair look to become the first ‘back-to-back’<\/em> American Grand National winner since McDynamo won the race five times between 2003 and 2007.<\/p>\n

The 2025 renewal will also feature other familiar jockeys with Stephen Mulqueen, Jamie Bargary, Danny Gilligan, Keith Donoghue, Harrison Beswick and former Cheltenham Gold Cup winning rider Jack Kennedy in action.<\/p>\n

You can see the full 2025 Grand National runners and riders below.<\/p>\n