Ann Ferris
Hailing from Glengormley, County Antrim, Ann Ferris created history in 1984 when becoming the first woman to win the Irish Grand National, aboard 33-1 outsider Bentom Boy, trained by her father, point-to-point legend Willie Rooney. To make it a real family occasion, her sister, Rosemary Stewart, finished third on their father’s other runner, Dawson Prince.
Hailing from Glengormley, County Antrim, Ann Ferris created history in 1984 when becoming the first woman to win the Irish Grand National, aboard 33-1 outsider Bentom Boy, trained by her father, point-to-point legend Willie Rooney. To make it a real family occasion, her sister, Rosemary Stewart, finished third on their father’s other runner, Dawson Prince.
As daughters of Willie Rooney, Ann and Rosemary had been steeped in horses all their lives. Ann rode her first point-to-point winner when she was only fourteen. Rosemary became the first woman to beat the men when winning a Naas bumper on Mourneview in 1974, while Ann became the first to do so over hurdles two years later.
As daughters of Willie Rooney, Ann and Rosemary had been steeped in horses all their lives. Ann rode her first point-to-point winner when she was only fourteen. Rosemary became the first woman to beat the men when winning a Naas bumper on Mourneview in 1974, while Ann became the first to do so over hurdles two years later.
Ann was All Ireland Champion point-to-point rider in 1976, with 23 winners in an era when fixtures took place across a single spring season.
Ann was All Ireland Champion point-to-point rider in 1976, with 23 winners in an era when fixtures took place across a single spring season.
Nor was she a stranger to big race success under National Hunt rules. She had won the Irish Sweeps Hurdle, then the biggest hurdling prize in the Irish racing calendar, for trainer Arthur Moore on Irian in 1979. She had also won the Ulster National at Downpatrick on Mourneview, bred by her late husband, Harry Ferris.
Nor was she a stranger to big race success under National Hunt rules. She had won the Irish Sweeps Hurdle, then the biggest hurdling prize in the Irish racing calendar, for trainer Arthur Moore on Irian in 1979. She had also won the Ulster National at Downpatrick on Mourneview, bred by her late husband, Harry Ferris.
Carrying a mere 9st 9lb in the 1984 Irish Grand National, Bentom Boy was at that time the longest-priced winner of the race. Although returned at 33-1, he had been available as long as 100-1 with some on-course bookmakers, while the Tote’s dividend was a massive 322-1.
Carrying a mere 9st 9lb in the 1984 Irish Grand National, Bentom Boy was at that time the longest-priced winner of the race. Although returned at 33-1, he had been available as long as 100-1 with some on-course bookmakers, while the Tote’s dividend was a massive 322-1.
An exceptionally late Easter had resulted in six Aintree Grand National runners seeking this valuable consolation. They were headed by Greasepaint, runner-up at Aintree for the second year in succession. He started second favourite in a betting market dominated by the grey Mack’s Friendly, with punters forcing him down from 6-1 to 2-1 in a field of 29. Although Mack’s Friendly had won the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham and then won a Limerick hurdle race in runaway fashion, his price still appeared very short. As it turned out, a series of jumping errors blighted his chance and he trailed in a well-beaten seventh, while Greasepaint was pulled up.
An exceptionally late Easter had resulted in six Aintree Grand National runners seeking this valuable consolation. They were headed by Greasepaint, runner-up at Aintree for the second year in succession. He started second favourite in a betting market dominated by the grey Mack’s Friendly, with punters forcing him down from 6-1 to 2-1 in a field of 29. Although Mack’s Friendly had won the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham and then won a Limerick hurdle race in runaway fashion, his price still appeared very short. As it turned out, a series of jumping errors blighted his chance and he trailed in a well-beaten seventh, while Greasepaint was pulled up.
Meanwhile, Mrs Ann Ferris calmly made her way home on the unconsidered Bentom Boy, beating another outsider, 20-1 shot Sicilian Answer by twelve lengths, while, for good measure, Ann’s sister, Rosemary Stewart, finished a further five lengths back in third on Dawson Prince.
Meanwhile, Mrs Ann Ferris calmly made her way home on the unconsidered Bentom Boy, beating another outsider, 20-1 shot Sicilian Answer by twelve lengths, while, for good measure, Ann’s sister, Rosemary Stewart, finished a further five lengths back in third on Dawson Prince.
The result led Willie Rooney to exclaim, “I must be the champion sire of National Hunt jockeys!”
The result led Willie Rooney to exclaim, “I must be the champion sire of National Hunt jockeys!”
Ann was married to the late Harry Ferris, a leading figure in farming in the Newry area, and had two children, Gaye and Billy.
Ann was married to the late Harry Ferris, a leading figure in farming in the Newry area, and had two children, Gaye and Billy.
After retiring from race-riding, she trained a few horses. Her last runner was Welcome Deal, who fell in a race at Fairyhouse on 23 February 1997.
After retiring from race-riding, she trained a few horses. Her last runner was Welcome Deal, who fell in a race at Fairyhouse on 23 February 1997.
In 2021 she appeared in an RTÉ News feature reflecting on the achievement of Rachael Blackmore after she became the first female jockey to win the Grand National.
In 2021 she appeared in an RTÉ News feature reflecting on the achievement of Rachael Blackmore after she became the first female jockey to win the Grand National.
Ann Ferris passed away peacefully on Wednesday 22 June 2022 at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry.
Ann Ferris passed away peacefully on Wednesday 22 June 2022 at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry.