"It's like Clare winning the All Ireland or the World Cup," says Chanel Malone, niece of Martin Brassil who trained Aintree Grand National winner Numbersixvalverde. In fact, to be absolutely clear, "it's the most fantastic thing that's ever happened and Martin really deserves it. He's worked so hard," she adds.
Chanel and a small but vocal party of family and friends were at Dún Laoghaire yesterday afternoon to welcome home the 11/1 winner and his entourage before the final journey to Kildare. As Co Clare native Martin Brassil drove the jeep and trailer off the ferry, he did what supporters called the "Clare roar" - and family and friends roared right back. This sparked applause and photos from onlookers and family members.
Among the well-wishers were Martin's nephews, Niall, Mark and Patrick Rodgers, in their Clare jerseys, and cousins Sham Reddin and Gary Reynolds. It was the start of a party that really got under way when the entourage arrived at Dunmurry Hall near Rathangan, Co Kildare, the yard where more than 100 people gathered to welcome home the winners.
On the main road down to Kildare there was just the one banner, on a bridge over the dual carriageway near Goffs. "Well Done No 6" it proclaimed.
At the yard, a lone piper played as Martin and groom Valentyne Debelenko from Poland led Number Six up the drive to the cheering crowd.
Then jockey Niall Slippers Madden, who had flown home to race at Tramore earlier yesterday, mounted and as cameras and photographers waited, Martin popped the champagne.
"You need more practice," quipped an onlooker, as photographers called for him to open another bottle.
"He's very calm," said another onlooker of Number Six. "But Martin is very calm himself."
The smiling trainer said he was "amazed and delighted at the reception". It was "great to have him back safe and sound. That's the real worry - one horse was killed yesterday." He had been "hopeful" the horse would do well. "To even take part in the Aintree Grand National, to be a part of it, is very special, no matter where you come."
It was straight back to work tomorrow for Martin, but there would be a break for Number Six. And - hopefully - they would be bringing him back to win again next year.
