5 days ago
Willie Mullins enters three potential star horses – including one his wife owns – in race he's won for past six years
WILLIE MULLINS has entered three potential superstar horses - including one his wife owns - in a race he's won for the past six years.
The Closutton boss has made the Friday bumper at Tramore his own since 2019, when he claimed it with future Listed winner Getaway Gorgeous.
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Since then the roll call of honour includes Ruaille Buaille, Coole Og, Space Tourist, Caman Eileen and, most recently, More Coko.
Every single one of Mullins' six winners has been sent off odds-on favourite for the 2m½f Flat race.
While none of them went onto become household names, the three he has entered for this year's renewal all boast fascinating pedigrees.
Certainly good enough to suggest one of them could burst through into his top tier for the upcoming season.
Among them is five-year-old mare Katie Can't Count, who is owned by Mullins' wife Jackie.
Katie Can't Count is by the former Aidan O'Brien-trained multiple Group 1 winner Order Of St George, who has the Ascot Gold Cup on his CV.
Among his best progeny is Grade 2 bumper-winning mare Seo Linn, who won at this year's Aintree Grand National Festival.
Mullins has also entered fellow five-year-old La Confiner, a No Risk At All mare who will be making her debut as well for owner Brendan O'Sullivan.
La Confiner was bought for around £30,000 at the Goffs Arkle stores sale in June 2023.
But arguably the most interesting of the lot is four-year-old gelding Highland Realm.
He is by globe-trotting middle-distance superstar Highland Reel and out of Stops A Nation - a half-sister to Mullins' beloved Wicklow Brave.
A 'horse of a lifetime', Wicklow Brave won just shy of £1million with 17 wins from 59 races before being fatally injured in the 2019 American Grand National.
Stops A Nation, who was also trained by Mullins, won a Tramore bumper on debut in April 2019 and is also a half-sister to the former John Gosden mare Brass Ring, who won four times over staying trips.
Mullins will make his final declarations for the race on Wednesday.
He is busy readying his massive squad for the 2025-26 National Hunt season - but will go into it without two big names.
Sir Gerhard and Kilcruit were recently retired.
But it is hoped former Gold Cup king Galopin Des Champs will come back all guns blazing.
And jumps fans could be in for an early treat should he start his season in the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown once more.
Gavin Cromwell revealed his Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin is likely to run there first time out.
That means this year's Gold Cup 1-2 could have the first of a few head-to-heads there at the end of November.
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