Latest news with #NoRiskAtAll
The Irish Sun
12-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Willie Mullins enters three potential star horses – including one his wife owns – in race he's won for past six years
TRIPLE THREAT 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. Advertisement 1 Willie Mullins, here with wife Jackie on the left and son Patrick, has entered three horses - including one owned by his other half - in a bumper race he's won every year since 2019 Credit: Getty 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Irish Daily Mirror
11-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Willie Mullins shells out close to €500,000 on unraced horses at Goffs Sales
Willie Mullins shelled out close to €500,000 on unraced stock as horse racing's biggest hitter gathered at the Goffs Arkle Sale on Tuesday. Mullins and his bloodstock agent Harold Kirk got the cheque book out to buy a trio of unraced three-year-olds. With the price of point-to-pointers seemingly increasing every year, many of jump racing's top trainers are now breaking in young horses themselves before readying them for the racetrack. Although there is also a premium to be paid on the best pedigrees. Mullins and Kirk paid €175,000 to land a It's Gino gelding called Mistral Le Du from Roger Marley's Church Farm Stables. Kirk, as reported by the Racing Post, said: Kirk said: 'He was one of the standout horses in the sale, and by a very good sire [It's Gino] in France. "He is a beautiful individual, a very good mover, and he stood out for me. I knew he would make money, but I didn't think it would be that much. There is always somebody else interested." Mullins also bought another French-bred Altesse du Luy from Altesse du Luy for €145,000. And they completed their purchases on the first of two day of the Arkle Sale by splashing out €110,000 on a Zarak filly called Karak de Faust. The sales topper on the first day, though, was a €190,000 purchase by Ellmarie Holden on a No Risk At All gelding from Sluggara Farm. Holden has previous with big-money store purchases, having shelled out €140,000 to buy a horse called Jonbon at the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale. That turned out to be a very shrewd bit of business as Jonbon would go on to win a point-to-point for the Holdens before being sold for a record-breaking £570,000. And Jonbon, of course, has lived up to his price tag, winning ten Grade 1 races and counting for Nicky Henderson and his owner JP McManus. Holden said: 'Jonbon worked out. He cost €140,000 and we were lucky he worked out. If this guy is anything like Jonbon it will be very straightforward. Jonbon was very easy to do anything with, he never had any issues." British trainer Dan Skelton was also present at the sale, and he paid €165,000 for another No Risk At gelding. In total, 188 horses were sold on the opening day of the sale for a combined sum of €10,306,500.
