‘This is not normal' – Willie Mullins reflects on another emotional British jumps trainer title triumph at Sandown
The legendary
2
Willie Mullins with his Champion Trainer trophy fro the 2024-25 season at Sandown Park Racecourse
2
Mullins was delighted with the historic feet as he weighed-in on another success
And he
Skelton entered the final day holding a lead of over £68,000, but Mullins turned the tables thanks to a commanding win for Oaksey Chase favourite Gaelic Warrior, followed by an upset when Il Etait Temps defeated odds-on shot Jonbon in the Celebration Chase.
Mullins then cemented his title by saddling the second, third, fourth, and fifth horses in the bet365 Gold Cup.
His triumph once again leaft Skelton having to settle for the runner-up spot.
read more on horse racing
But the famed trainer admitted that he was very nervous heading into today's decider at Sandown.
Speaking
"We were running horses back quicker than we usually do, so you can't come here with confidence.
The 68-year-old also admitted that he has to pinch himself as he reflected on his incredible success.
Most read in Horse Racing
He added: "We pinch ourselves and I say to my son, don't think this is normal, this is not normal. Don't take it for granted."
It looks like next week's Punchestown Festival will be up next for her, where she is set to complete a Mullins squad featuring the likes of Galopin Des Champs, Kopek Des Bordes and State Man.
Jim Delahunt's FREE horse racing tips - Mullins v Skelton - the final battle. Sandown tips plus one from Navan on the flat
British trainers might feel like waving the white flag altogether, knowing Mullins' true top talent is staying at home.
That's not to say they didn't help him win though, mopping up the top races at Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals over the past two months.
Mullins made history when winning the title in 2024.
He became the first Irish-based handler since Vincent O'Brien 70 years earlier to be crowned king.
And the truth is it will take a monumental effort from the likes of Skelton, Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson to stop him again next year.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
43 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Inside Andy Murray's life after retirement with new jobs, potato gig and fresh addition to family with wife Kim
HAVING won three Grand Slams, £48million in career prize money and undergoing hip surgery, Andy Murray would be forgiven for wanting to put his feet up in retirement. But instead the tennis icon has been coaching, venturing into business and welcoming a new member of the family with his wife Kim. 4 Andy Murray has struck a deal with a potato brand 4 He has welcomed a new dog to the family Credit: andymurray/Instagram 4 The tennis icon has taken to the stage for his own live shows Credit: Getty Murray hung up his racket at the Paris Olympics last summer in an emotional farewell. It has been just over a year since he last stepped onto a court and he revealed he is not missing playing. Dad-of-four Murray admitted to "feeling guilty" about the time he spent away from his kids as a player. But it did not stop him taking the chance to coach Novak Djokovic for six months before splitting. READ MORE IN TENNIS GO GET EMM Alcaraz makes 600-mile dash to join Emma Raducanu at US Open amid dating rumours Murray told the BBC in June: "I wasn't planning on going into coaching as soon as I finished playing but it was a pretty unique opportunity. "It was a chance to learn from one of the best athletes of all time. "I would do it [coaching] again at some stage. I don't think that will happen immediately," Instead Murray has moved into the business world, becoming a partner of Redrice Ventures where he leads a group of athlete advisers to help find investment opportunities. SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN The 38-year-old has pumped cash into Game4Padel, who are the UK's largest operator of padel tennis courts. And he and wife Kim still own the five-star Cromlix Hotel in Scotland. Andy Murray starts new career as agony aunt as he reveals details of 'terrible' first date with wife Kim But in one of his more bizarre business deals, Murray struck an agreement with potato brand Albert Bartlett to promote their products. They are based in Scotland and are a long-term supplier to the Cromlix Hotel. A statement on the partnership said it brings "two Scottish-born British icons with shared community vision and family values [together].' It added that the two-time Wimbledon champion will be "encouraging the nation to enjoy a healthy lifestyle through sport and a balanced diet'. Murray said: "I was lucky during my early playing days to have access to the kit and facilities required to play and develop, and as my career progressed, to have the best diet and training advice available. "I am excited to partner with Albert Bartlett to showcase the importance of a balanced diet and an active lifestyle to communities across the UK. "I hope the project inspires people to play and enjoy sport throughout their lives, at whatever level they are able." Away from business, Murray has welcomed a new member to the family in the shape of a flat-coated retriever dog. It comes after his border terriers Rusty and Maggie May died. And instead of entertaining on the tennis court, Murray has gone on tour with his own live show. And he is now focusing on golf, recently playing with Carlos Alcaraz while he was at Wimbledon.
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Alcaraz and Raducanu bulldozed by Draper and Pegula in revamped US Open mixed doubles
After many long months of discussion and anticipation, the doubles partnership between Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz came and went in the blink of an eye in a well‑populated Arthur Ashe Stadium. Despite ample smiles and enjoyment on the court, they were outclassed in a battle of British No 1s by a sharp Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper, the top seeds, who reached the quarter-finals of the revamped mixed‑doubles competition with a 4-2, 4-2 win. With one win under their belt and their confidence growing, Pegula and Draper then rolled through their quarter-final against Mirra Andreeva and Daniil Medvedev, easing into the semi-finals with an emphatic 4-1, 4-1 victory. They will face Danielle Collins and Christian Harrison on Wednesday afternoon for a place in the final, which takes place on Wednesday night. In a draw filled with surreal scratch partnerships, the first bracket was particularly striking. Draper and Raducanu have known each other since their childhood days when they were rising up the national rankings in Great Britain while dreaming of becoming professional players. When in February the US Open announced its 'reimagined' mixed‑doubles competition, the two British players pairing up seemed like a logical option. Instead, they found themselves facing each other inside the biggest tennis stadium in the world. Raducanu had played just three doubles tournaments in her entire career before this week and the match started with a reminder of her inexperience as she sprayed a backhand drive volley far wide. That first point set the tone for a difficult day as she was continually vulnerable at the net. Draper and Alcaraz have not spent much more time on the doubles court, either, but it was Draper who tackled the contest with total aggression. He played two great matches, constantly looking to close down the net and punching holes in his opponents with his heavy topspin forehand. He also showed his old friend Raducanu no mercy at all, successfully targeting her throughout their match. Perhaps the most significant result on Tuesday was Draper's mere presence on the court. He has not competed since his second‑round defeat at Wimbledon last month after opting to withdraw from both the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Open because of a left forearm injury. After his blistering start to the season, the past few months have been tough with injury and two difficult defeats at the French Open and Wimbledon. One year after his breakthrough semi-final run in New York, he looks fit and ready again. While the partnership between Raducanu and Alcaraz has dominated the headlines since it was announced, the pairing of Draper and Pegula is a result of numerous withdrawals but they have now formed a formidable team. Pegula is one of the most accomplished players across both singles and doubles, the current singles No 4 and a former doubles No 1. Pegula's solid baseline play and intelligence on the court provided Draper with the platform to continually attack the net, and they have put themselves in position to compete for the title. On Monday night, after her triumph against Jasmine Paolini at the Cincinnati Open, Iga Swiatek did not finish her media duties until around 10pm. She and Alcaraz, the men's champion, travelled from Cincinnati together on a private jet and arrived in New York at 12.50am. Just over 13 hours after finishing her work in Ohio, she was on Grandstand training with her new doubles partner, Casper Ruud. No matter, she put together two brilliant performances to deliver her second and third wins in less than 24 hours. Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, the defending champions and the only doubles specialist team in the draw, marched through the rounds in pursuit of another title – and justice for the doubles specialists who have been squeezed out of the competition in order to accommodate the singles stars. From the first ball of their opening-round match against Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz, the second seeds, the Italian pairing were on a mission and they carried themselves like a team determined to represent all doubles players. Every point was played with manic intensity, especially from Errani, with their screams of 'allez' and 'vamos' directly punctuating almost every success. Most importantly, they played flawlessly, erecting a wall at the net and picking apart their inexperienced opponents as they eased to a straight‑sets win against Fritz and Rybakina, then Karolina Muchova and Andrey Rublev. They will face Swiatek and Ruud for a spot in another final. 'For us it was important to send a message before the tournament,' Vavassori said. 'When we got the wildcard, when Eric [Butorac] called me, I was grateful to play. At least there were not so many doubles players. We are also playing for them. I think it's important to show also that doubles players are great players.' Guardian
RTÉ News
3 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Defeat for Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu in revamped US Open mixed doubles
Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula cruised to a straight-sets win against Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu in the first round of the revamped US Open mixed doubles. British number one men's player Draper and American partner Pegula overcame men's world number two Alcaraz and top-ranked British woman Raducanu 4-2 4-2 in 51 minutes to reach the quarter-finals. Raducanu lost her serve in the opening game and although there were no further break points in the set, that was enough for Draper and Pegula to clinch it. Alcaraz and Raducanu opened up a 1-0 lead in the second set but were broken again to fall 2-1 behind and Draper demonstrated his accuracy and power to hold his own serve to edge 3-1 ahead. Raducanu saved three break points before holding to cut the deficit to 3-2, but Draper sealed victory on the third match point in the next game with a stunning forehand down the line. The mixed doubles has come under the spotlight at Flushing Meadows after being rescheduled to start before the main tournament, with $1million (€859,000) in prize money at stake for the winners of the 16-pair event.
