Willie Mullins

Willie Mullins commenced training in 1988 having worked as assistant to both his father, Paddy, and to Jim Bolger. He still rates his father as the biggest influence on his career. Stable jockey Ruby Walsh has already become a household name, adding the 1999 jockeys’ title to the amateur crown which he held for the previous two years and he confirmed his appetite for the big stage when landing a unique Aintree / Fairyhouse Grand National double in 2000 on Papillon and Commanche Court.

As a trainer, Willie has won just about every major prize in Ireland, most of the big ones in the UK, and a few in France as well for good measure. The Grand National, The King George, the Champion Hurdle (England, Ireland and France in 2011), a couple of Supreme Novices’ Hurdles, seven Hennessy’s, numerous Cheltenham Bumpers and, if you can say Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil (French Champion Hurdle), he has won that three times to date.

Willie has enjoyed considerable success at the highest level, with plenty of Cheltenham Festival successes, notably with now-retired stable star Florida Pearl, who won an amazing 16 of his 33 starts and getting on for £1 million in prize money.

Despite all the success he has had throughout his career, the last four seasons have arguably been the best four campaigns of Willie Mullins’ training career. His horses have remained remarkably consistent throughout that time and he has enjoyed an abundance of big-race successes. He has been Champion National Hunt trainer for the last four years and has won the title six times in all.