What sets ‘magician' Willie Mullins apart from the rest is his innate ability to never stand still
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'I'm glad I'm not a trainer because I'd hate him. I like him as a person but I'm glad I'm not a trainer because I'd detest him!'
Those are the honest words of legendary jockey AP McCoy on Willie Mullins' genius and how the all-conquering Closutton maestro continues to break every record imaginable on the National Hunt scene.
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Irish Examiner
12 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Cleary-Farrell on the double as Mullins dominates action
Punchestown report Willie Mullins dominated the weekend action in Punchestown, registering doubles on both Saturday and Sunday, with 7lb claimer Sean Cleary-Farrell delivering on the double yesterday for Closutton, on board Spanish Harlem and Keep Up. Without a win in his fourteen 14 previous starts for Mullins but fourth in the valuable Bet365 Gold Cup last time, Spanish Harlem broke through in the Jim Ryan Memorial Novice Chase, staying on dourly on the run-in to get the better of No Time To Wait and justify 8/15 favouritism. 'The track and trip suited him and he used his jumping experience,' said David Casey, representing Mullins. 'Sean gave him a good ride and he kept galloping. Nicer ground and extended trip suit him and I'd say we'll keep going with him.' Sean Cleary-Farrell completed his first double and provided the second leg of the Mullins treble on hurdling debutante Keep Up, a facile winner of the Lily & Wild Mares Maiden Hurdle, the 4/5 shot beating market rival Fillusin by five lengths. 'Sean gave her a good ride — she was a bit in his hands, fresh after her break, but she jumped well and stayed galloping,' said Casey. 'I hope she'll go on to win her 'novice' now — she could be one for Galway.' Joli Travail and Anna McGuinness win for trainer Willie Mullins. Picture: Healy Racing Anna McGuinness, another emerging 7lb claimer, rode her second winner in the famous colours of JP McManus and provided the final leg of the Closutton treble when Joli Travail (2/1) made virtually all, to take the John Dowling Memorial Maiden Hurdle at the expense of William Butler. 'He's had a couple of issues, but that was a good performance,' stated a delighted Casey. 'He learned a lot in Killarney and the longer trip definitely helped him. We'll try to find a 'novice' for him but, long-term, he looks like a chaser.' And he added, 'Anna is a good rider. She was recommended to use by James Lambe about a year ago and is with us full-time.' Brosna Queen, trained locally by Sonny Carey, proved best in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Pro-Am Flat Race, digging deep for Patrick Mullins to see off Atomic Queen and Kabylia. 'She's a good mare, with loads of ability,' said Carey. 'She'll have a break and might come back for the 'Mucklemeg' (listed event at Gowran Park) or a trip to Cheltenham in November.' The Noel Meade-trained Mick Collins (Eoin Walsh) rallied bravely on the run-in to confirm Bellewstown flat form with odds-on favourite Luker's Tipple in the Bermingham Cameras Maiden Hurdle. Tightest finish of the day came in the Madison Flooring Handicap Hurdle, when Gavin Cromwell's versatile grey Londonofficecallin (Kieren Buckley) pipped favourite Stay Gold by a nose before surviving a Stewards Enquiry. And the quirky, Ted Walsh-trained Hardwired, under a determined Gavin Brouder, proved his liking for Punchestown when foiling Antrim Coast by a half-length in the K-Mech Mechanical Handicap Chase., the nine-year-old third success at the County Kildare / poh
Irish Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Horse bought for same price as Hewick sells for almost €300,000 before running
A horse purchased for just €851 has been sold for a colossal €298,126 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale in Australia. The Harry Angel colt was bought for a similar price as the fee paid for National Hunt hero Hewick, who has amassed over €900,000 in prize money for Co Carlow trainer John 'Shark' Hanlon. The colt by the same sire as Group One winners Tom Kitten and Private Harry is from the beautifully related Postponed mare Enclosure. Being sold by Alma Vale Thoroughbreds after being purchased by TJ Le Breton and her husband Greg of Temerity Park Stud, who paid A$1,500 (€851) for the horse as a weanling, the colt fetched A$525,000 (€298,126) at the sale on Tuesday as he went for 350 times more than the price that was paid for him last year to Hong Kong based trainer Manfred Man. 'He was bought online for $1,500 from Sledmere,' Alma Vale's Verna Metcalfe said. 'It's a huge result for Temerity Park – they're a very good client and they are battlers like we all are.''It's so good to get a huge result like that. It's awesome to be selling up at Magic Millions and getting results like that,' Metcalfe added. 'He turned up in pretty good shape,' Alma Vale's Oscar Englebrecht noted. 'We only put the polish on. 'He's been an absolute professional all week. He paraded so well. He had two really good judges on him and they really wanted to own him." 'We've had a pretty good year and it's great to end on a high,' he added. Willie Leung, speaking on behalf of the buyer, commented: 'Harry Angel is now a red hot sire and is very popular in Hong Kong. 'He's had a couple of really good winners in Hong Kong and that's why we got him for Manfred Man. 'This one looks really outstanding in the sale and with his outstanding pedigree I think he's a good buy. 'We come here for the best and I believe he's the best,' Leung added.
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Irish Independent
Siobhan is queen of fashion at Listowel Races' June meeting
The three-day festival brought crowds to the famous Island for a mixed card of flat and National Hunt action. The ever competitive fashion stakes produced the best in sartorial designs with the winning outfit going to Siobhan, who has been coming to Listowel Races for 15 years but never won a Ladies day title. Siobhan's classic outfit showed a full length black and white jumpsuit from Pure Boutique and a hat rented from Anne Marie Hats Amore caught the eye of judge, designer to the stars, Don O'Neill. As the winner of Style Stakes Sunday, Siobhan was presented with a €500 cash prize as well as generous gift bags sponsored by McGuire's Pharmacy and a pair of exclusively designed earrings by Mary Mulhall of Inish Designs. The joint runners-up were Sheila Casey from Brosna and Aine Wall from Derrymore West, Tralee. Both won €250 in cash, alongside gift bags from McGuire's Pharmacy and a pair of exclusively designed earrings by Mary Mulhall, Inish Designs. Sheila wore a dress from Rose and Crown Boutique Tralee and a headpiece by local designer Teresa Linehan from Brosna, while Aine wore a headpiece by Cathriona King Galway, a suit from Canella Lane, and a gorgeous bag scouted in her local charity shop. Judge Don O'Neill was out and about on the racecourse from 2pm on Sunday looking for his finalists and after a lot of deliberation, he selected nine women of all ages and four beautifully attired juniors. Before the overall winner was announced, each finalist was interviewed on stage by Don O'Neill, with every stylish story making Don's final choice all the harder. The next meeting is the much anticipated Listowel Races Harvest Festival that takes place from September 21-27 with the McElligotts Kia Ladies Day taking place on Friday 26 September. For more information, visit or call (068) 21144. To book corporate hospitality for Ladies Day, please email sales@ or call 021 4319398.
