THE IRISH TIMES/IRISH SPORTS COUNCIL SPORTSWOMAN AWARDS:April winner Nina Carberry (Horse Racing) MARY HANNIGANtalks to the fourth member of the family to win the Irish Grand National

IF OUR Sportswoman of the Month awards had been around in 1984 there is, it’s fair to say, a good chance Ann Ferris would have appeared on our roll of honour after her Grand National triumph on Bentom Boy.

In the same year that she made history a certain Nina Carberry was born, and she went on to learn about Ferris’s achievement as she grew up.

And, fittingly, Carberry saluted Ferris at Fairyhouse last month when she emulated her feat by winning the Grand National on Organisedconfusion, trained by her uncle Arthur Moore.

She became, of course, the fourth Carberry to ride the winner of an Irish National in the past four decades, following her father Tommy, who won it twice, and her brothers, Paul and Philip.

Long before this success Carberry had already established herself as one of Ireland’s leading and most consistent sportswomen, this monthly award is her sixth in as many years.

Her victories at Cheltenham had, until now, been the highlight of her career, but winning the National at her local course topped them all.

“Fairyhouse is just up the road from us and has always been close to my heart,” she said. “Ever since I was a kid, I have been coming here, watching the National. It’s just a brilliant day. The Irish National is one of those races at the top of anyone’s list to win.”

It was only “two or three weeks” before that her uncle had asked her to jump a few fences on Organisedconfusion, one of the least experienced runners in the National. “I couldn’t hold one side of him,” she said, “I hoped it was just that he was fresh. I schooled him again after that, and I was quietly confident.”

As it proved, her confidence was well-placed. She bided her time in the race, took up the running from two fences out, and went on to beat Western Charmer by five lengths.

“We just popped away good and safe all the way round,” she said. “I knew I had plenty of horse left turning into the straight and could see many in front of me struggling. After I got a good jump two out to lead I was delighted with the loose horse to keep Organisedconfusion company because he started to idle. It kept my fella battling away in the closing stages. I had luck on my side and everything worked out great on the day.”

Carberry hardly had the Irish National won when she was asked if she could repeat the feat on the same horse at Aintree. “The Grand National is the big one and the race everyone wants to win,” she said. “I have ridden around Aintree three times and it would be fantastic to get the chance to do so on Organisedconfusion. Irish National winners have a tremendous record in the race, so who knows?”

For now Carberry can revel in her success in maintaining an extraordinary family tradition in the Irish National, 27 years after Ferris blazed the trail.

Award winners so far . . .

(This year’s awards cover December 2010 to November 2011)

December

Fionnuala Britton (Athletics)

The Wicklow runner just missed out on a medal at the European Cross Country Championships, finishing fourth but given the same time as the runner in third.

January

Leona Maguire (Golf)

The 16-year-old won the Portuguese Amateur Open Championship, which featured over 80 of Europe’s leading amateurs, by an amazing 15 strokes.

February

Fiona Coghlan (Rugby)

Coghlan captained Ireland to Six Nations’ victories over Italy and Scotland and just a two-point defeat to France in February. The team, without several of its most experienced players, went on to finish third in the table.

March

Lisa Maguire (Golf)

Lisa followed up her twin Leona’s January success by winning the Spanish Amateur Championship, a victory that lifted her in to the top 10 of the world rankings.