Willie Mullins, the prodigious trainer, has further cemented his place in Irish racing folklore after surpassing Dermot Weld’s record to become the trainer with the most victories in the history of Irish racing. This feat was achieved at the Punchestown Festival on a Friday, where a duo of Grade One triumphs propelled Mullins to a staggering total of 4,378 career wins.
State Man and Ballyburn, the favoured contenders, did not disappoint and helped Mullins, who is set to clinch the title of Ireland’s National Hunt champion trainer for the 18th occasion on Saturday. This achievement also increased Mullins’s single-season record of Grade One victories to 37, making him the Irish individual with the most worldwide wins. Already 67 years old, Mullins’ sterling campaign is now sealed with this significant milestone.
Previously, Mullins received honour in Britain by matching the accomplished Vincent O’Brien as champion jumps trainer, a recognition he now strengthens further surpassing another esteemed figure in racing history. The feat became official with Ballyburn’s triumph in the Alanna Champion Novices Hurdle.
Silver Bachelor’s victory at Thurles in February 1988 was Mullins’s first win and he took the reins for the ride himself. Regulating the significance of his achievement, Mullins shared that it is an honour to be in the league of Dermot Weld, who himself has victories in prestigious races like the Melbourne Cup and Belmont Stakes. Despite setting a new benchmark, Mullins expressed that he anticipates another trainer will surpass these records given the emerging opportunities in the domain.
While the focus temporarily shifts to the thriving flat racing season, Weld could reclaim his record. Yet, Mullins’ unmatched influence in the jumps may likely tip the scales back in his favour.
Paul Townend banks on this dominance as he competes at Saturday’s season finale, hoping to close his four-win deficit against Jack Kennedy for the champion jockey title. He is in pursuit 123-119 after leading both the Grade One winners to victory.
Although Ballyburn was unable to replicate his Cheltenham glittering performance, State Man did deliver with ease in the €300,000 Boodles Champion Hurdle.
The chestnut garnered his tenth top-tier career victory, culminating in a flawless season of five wins, with a noteworthy victory in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. He was able to once again best Irish Point, maintaining his impressive track record as an elite performer.
Riding him is an effortless task, according to Townend, which likely contributes to his deep fondness for the horse. Upon leaving the weigh room, you simply need to make it to the start and improvise, and he will help you navigate through any difficulties.
Rather than standing out for his flamboyance, he makes his presence known through consistency in doing what is required. It’s possible that this is the reason he continues to secure wins, he always has an extra trick up his sleeve remarked Townend.
Despite Kennedy being out of the running on Saturday and only a few races from Mullins left, Townend avowed that he would persistently “plug away” in his quest for a seventh championship.
Regrettably, a final stumble by Anotherway at the end of the race marred an otherwise decent possibility in a novice hurdle that Eagle Fang ultimately clinched, which could turn out to cost dearly.
On Friday, the festival crowd numbers reached 36,620, showing a slight increase of less than 1,000 compared to 2023.