Shane Jackson

The 2025 Grand National Hurdle on Sunday delivered a milestone victory for the connections of Highland Blaze - for young rider Jordan Hart, his biggest and most valuable jumps success.

But, did you know, for trainer Shane Jackson it represented an achievement of historical significance?

As a jockey, the Irish-born Jackson scored aboard Cougar Express in the GN Hurdle of 2018, and again in the 2020 edition on Ablaze.

Jackson thus joins exalted company as a Grand National Hurdle winner as a Jockey AND also as a Trainer – the feat last accomplished 77 years ago by Alec Fullarton - & by just five other individuals in a race that dates back to 1881.

James Scobie

One of five inaugural Hall of Fame Trainer inductees (alongside Bart Cummings, Colin Hayes, Jack Holt & Tommy Smith), the legendary James Scobie was aboard Rhesus in capturing the 1882 GN Hurdle.

Twenty-seven years later in 1909, the James Scobie owned & trained Fossil landed lucrative long-priced bets to take the GN Hurdle. Fossil was ridden by Scobie’s 19yo nephew, George Scobie.

John Inglis

Owner of the amazingly versatile thoroughbred Malua – winner of an Oakleigh Plate, Newmarket Hcp, Adelaide Cup & Melbourne Cup all in the one year (1884).

In 1888, with John Inglis on top, Malua scored a famous victory in the GN Hurdle. Noted trainer Isaac Foulsham was responsible for preparing Malua in the majority of his racing career, however, for the National, Inglis is widely credited as the trainer.

Jack Brewer

The 1893 Grand National Hurdle winner Tim Swiveller was (similar to Malua) trained and ridden by the same person – in this case, Caulfield-based Jack Brewer.

The winner of the 1892 VATC Grand National (Australian) Hurdle (when also trained/ridden by Brewer), Tim Swiveller carried 11 stone in his 1893 National triumph.

Later in 1893, Tim Swiveller was involved in quite the controversy – first over the line in the Caulfield Cup, protests were lodged by the riders of second-placed (Sainfoin) & third (Oxide) for interference over the final stages (boring in). Dismissed on the day by the VATC Stewards, the VRC later reversed the decision on appeal - disqualifying Tim Swiveller and awarding the Cup to Sainfoin.

Brewer repeated his 1893 GN Hurdle feat by riding & training Pat to victory in the 1898 edition of the National - and was also Pat’s owner.

Alfred Whitty

In the National of 1897, Alfred Whitty scored aboard Buzzi for his father Mark (a most successful trainer, based at Flemington, during this period). Buzzi had won the National twelve months earlier, becoming the second of nine horses to win two GN Hurdles & was also young Alfred’s first winner over the jumps.

Thirteen years later in 1910, the Alfred Whitty-trained Obi claimed the GN Hurdle, Obi in 1913 becoming the third dual National winner when then trained by Harry Harrison.

Martin Whelan

South Australian by birth, Martin Whelan was first associated with the GN Hurdle in 1904 partnering Sarasati to victory. The following year (1905) he trained and rode York to an easy win.

In 1921, Whelan prepared the brilliant Fiscom to win the GN Hurdle, Fiscom returning in 1922 to repeat his National success - only this time he was trained by H.G. Porter.

Alec Fullarton

Aged just 22, Alec Fullarton won the 1932 GN Hurdle on Polygonum, Fullarton soon establishing himself as one of the leading cross-country jockeys of the era.

Sixteen years on, the 1948 GN Hurdle was claimed by The Feline, trained by Fullarton and ridden by Ernie Sellers. The Feline also won the 1947 Australian Hurdle, 1950 Warrnambool Grand Annual & won the SA Great Eastern Steeplechase in both 1948 & 1951 when prepared by Alec Fullarton.