I AM MAXIMUS & MINELLA TIMES RECEIVE WARM WELCOME AT KIRBY MEMORIAL FINAL

Sarah Kinsella

Aintree Grand National winners I Am Maximus & Minella Times receive warm welcome at Kirby Memorial Final.

The final of the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial was the main event at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night, but a bonus was in store with not one but two Aintree Grand National winners making an appearance before the big race!

 
Pictured with I Am Maximus & Minella Times is Julie O'Connell and Lara Hegarty.

Trained by Willie Mullins, I Am Maximus received a warm welcome from the crowd as he paraded in front of a packed stand by handlers from Martinstown Stud along with 2021 champion Minella Times, trained by Henry de Bromhead.
 
I Am Maximus, owned by sponsors of the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial, Noreen & JP McManus, posed in front of cameras and enjoyed all the fuss that was made for him along with his stablemate Minella Times.

 
Photo caption: Presentation to I Am Maximus Martinstown Stud Grooms by CEO Tim Lucey (GRI) & Chairman Frank Nyhan (GRI) to Lara Hegarty & Julie O'Connell to celebrate I Am Maximus’ victory at the 2024 Aintree Grand National. Also pictured is JP McManus.

I AM Maximus's triumph at the Aintree Grand National has etched its name in the annals of sporting history, with its breathtaking performance. The horse's route to victory, guided by expert jockey Paul Townend and trainer Willie Mullins, saw him storming past his rivals to claim the top prize. This was Willie Mullins second time claiming the Aintree showpiece, having won with Hedgehunter nineteen years previously.
 
Minella Times was the winner of the 2021 Aintree Grand National for trainer Henry De Bromhead and jockey Rachael Blackmore, who of course became the first female jockey to ride the winner of the Aintree Grand National.