Latest news with #WillieMullins
The Irish Sun
14 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘Unreal' Willie Mullins horse will never run again after ‘spectacular' win, £220,000 earnings and Grade 1 victory
AN 'unreal' Willie Mullins horse will never run again after a 'spectacular' win and £220,000 earnings. Grade 1 scorer Kilcruit has officially been retired from racing aged ten. A top-level performer at this best, the world looked at this hooves after a jaw-dropping Dublin Racing Festival bumper win in 2021. Kilcruit breezed past rivals hard held and commentator Jerry Hannon said: "Patrick Mullins will surely never ride an easier winner than this." One punter said at the time: "That was the best bumper performance I have ever seen." The breathtaking victory was described elsewhere as 'spectacular' and Kilcruit was labelled a horse 'of the highest class'. He would go onto finish a half-length second to Sir Gerhard in the Champion Bumper before claiming the Champion Flat Race - his sole Grade 1 - at Punchestown Festival. However, in scenes nobody saw coming, Kilcruit's hurdling debut could not have gone worse around eight months later. Sent off a stunning 1-14 for a maiden at Cork, he was pumped ten lengths by Henry de Bromhead's 6-1 chance Largy Debut Nevertheless, Kilcruit went to the 2022 Cheltenham Festival as a maiden hurdle winner only to get firmly put in his place by Constitution Hill in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Most read in Horse Racing He was sent chasing the following season and picked up a couple of wins but fell short at graded level. In fact his last victory was a Punchestown novice handicap chase win in April 2023, when he sauntered home by 15 lengths. He was pulled up and found to be bleeding from both nostrils on his final run at Fairyhouse in April this year. All in all Kilcruit won six of his 20 career races and earned in total £221,834. He was a 151-rated chaser and 145 over hurdles - but he never quite lived up to the billing of his bumper days. 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 Times
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Last year's runner-up Ndaawi out to go one better in Galway Hurdle
Clint Eastwood might argue that 'deserves got nothin' to do with it' but it would still be hard to begrudge Ndaawi success in Thursday's Guinness Galway Hurdle. Last year's runner-up is back for another crack at the big €270,000 handicap and leads Gordon Elliott's hopes of a first win in the Ladies' Day highlight. Elliott has been runner-up four times and was third back-to-back with Dirar in 2010 and 2011. He runs four in a typically competitive renewal this time, one less than his great rival Willie Mullins , who in contrast has a record six wins in the race. Joseph O'Brien has two chances as he bids to follow up Nurburgring's success a year ago and trend followers will be all over his Cheltenham Festival winner Puturhandstogether. READ MORE Having gone over two decades without a four-year-old being successful in the Galway Hurdle, Zarak The Brave and Nurburgring emerged on top for the young generation in the last two years. Puturhandstogether is the only four-year-old in the line-up this time. It is 15 years since a cross-channel success, but Fergal O'Brien tries his luck with Dysart Enos, a first Galway runner for the Tipperary-born trainer. Former British champion jockey Harry Cobden rides one of the Mullins team, Tounsivator. Perhaps the greatest popular sentiment will surround the admirable veteran Lord Erskine, still competitive at a very decent level for Harry Rogers on what will be his 71st career start. There's even a former Group One flat winner in the line-up as Helvic Dream has a 41st career start. In contrast, Ndaawi is more than half Lord Erskine's age but will have his own support hoping he enjoys a change of fortune. Having had to settle for second in this a year ago, he was also runner-up in last season's County Hurdle at Cheltenham, running into a Grade One mare in Kargese who had to concede him only 1lb. Ndaawi had an Ebor and County winner in Absurde behind him on that occasion. Ethical Diamond, subsequently a Royal Ascot winner, was fourth. Giving best to an apparent handicap 'blot' must have been tough for connections. No such blot is obvious in this Galway Hurdle. Ndaawi is 11lbs higher in the ratings compared to 2024 but looks to have been prepared specifically for this and is proven in the race's hurly-burly. He can make it third time lucky in a big jumps handicap. Gavin Cromwell runs Addragoole in the big race but will probably fancy his chances more in the Listed Corrib Stakes on the flat. Fiery Lucy has won just once in her career but has multiple placings in Group races and was only half-a-length shy of Red Letter at Killarney on her last start. She's the one runner in the field with a triple-digit rating and will be fancied to confirm that. The triple-chase winner Pied Piper must concede weight in the opening Grade Three and it could prove too much against Westport Cove. The Mullins team also has Cameletta Vega in a later novice hurdle. She won at last year's festival and impressed over flights at Cork in May.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘He's so slick' – Willie Mullins' potential next superstar slashed to joint-fav for Cheltenham after ‘impressive' debut
A POTENTIAL Willie Mullins superstar the trainer has dubbed 'so slick' has been slashed for Cheltenham after just one run. The brilliantly-bred Davy Crockett was an easy winner on his hurdles debut at Galway on Monday. 1 Owner JP McManus, left, and trainer Willie Mullins, right, with Mark Walsh after Davy Crockett won well on his hurdles debut at Galway Credit: Sportsfile Sent off just 1-2 under jockey Mark Walsh, Davy Crockett, who is by Guineas and Derby winner Camelot and out of Mullins' awesome Annie Power, won by two-and-a-half lengths. He extended well when out in the clear but still left plenty of room for improvement in the jumping department. Mullins liked what he saw though - and so did bookies, as they cut him to 14-1 joint-fav from as big as 33s for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Davy Crockett, who is owned by JP McManus and Susan Magnier and a half-brother to dual Grade 1 winner Mystical Power, heads the market for the Festival opener next March with Mullins' Champion Bumper winner Bambino Fever. While he could revert to the Flat, Mullins confirmed his more immediate future lies over hurdles. And he set out an early target his team will work back from - possibly with a view to rocking up at Cheltenham next March. The Closutton boss told Racing TV: "For a horse only having his second run on a track, he was very good. "He was so slick with his jumping apart from at the second last. Most read in Horse Racing "Those novices are so fast, he was going faster than the others and he just missed it. "But he was perfect at the last and he looks a real nice prospect with his pedigree. "I want to plan a path to the (Grade 2) Royal Bond in November. "He's not the biggest horse - not a chasing type - but he looks a real hurdler. "He's more a Flat/hurdle type horse and maybe we could go back on the Flat with him. "But the way he jumped there I'd say he'll make a fine hurdler. "A lot of horses in his position would have thrown in the towel after the sticky jump but he didn't." Gold Cup-winning jockey Walsh was just as complimentary. He said: "He was a bit novicey. We were trapping down to the second last and Davy Crockett got a bit unsighted and just galloped into it. "I loved the way he picked up after that and winged the last. Plenty of improvement likely. "He had been keen in his bumper but settled grand until he got a bit lit up in second half of the race. "He'll learn in time, he's not a big horse but there's an engine in there." 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: Read more on the Irish Sun 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.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘He's so slick' – Willie Mullins' potential next superstar slashed to joint-fav for Cheltenham after ‘impressive' debut
The trainer has already identified his top target CROCKETT ROCKET 'He's so slick' – Willie Mullins' potential next superstar slashed to joint-fav for Cheltenham after 'impressive' debut Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A POTENTIAL Willie Mullins superstar the trainer has dubbed 'so slick' has been slashed for Cheltenham after just one run. The brilliantly-bred Davy Crockett was an easy winner on his hurdles debut at Galway on Monday. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up Bred in the purple, Davy Crockett (Camelot x Annie Power) strikes at short odds in the @Galway_Races Festival opener for for Willie Mullins, Mark Walsh and JP McManus 🥇 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 28, 2025 1 Owner JP McManus, left, and trainer Willie Mullins, right, with Mark Walsh after Davy Crockett won well on his hurdles debut at Galway Credit: Sportsfile Sent off just 1-2 under jockey Mark Walsh, Davy Crockett, who is by Guineas and Derby winner Camelot and out of Mullins' awesome Annie Power, won by two-and-a-half lengths. He extended well when out in the clear but still left plenty of room for improvement in the jumping department. Mullins liked what he saw though - and so did bookies, as they cut him to 14-1 joint-fav from as big as 33s for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Davy Crockett, who is owned by JP McManus and Susan Magnier and a half-brother to dual Grade 1 winner Mystical Power, heads the market for the Festival opener next March with Mullins' Champion Bumper winner Bambino Fever. While he could revert to the Flat, Mullins confirmed his more immediate future lies over hurdles. And he set out an early target his team will work back from - possibly with a view to rocking up at Cheltenham next March. The Closutton boss told Racing TV: "For a horse only having his second run on a track, he was very good. "He was so slick with his jumping apart from at the second last. "Those novices are so fast, he was going faster than the others and he just missed it. "But he was perfect at the last and he looks a real nice prospect with his pedigree. "I want to plan a path to the (Grade 2) Royal Bond in November. "He's not the biggest horse - not a chasing type - but he looks a real hurdler. "He's more a Flat/hurdle type horse and maybe we could go back on the Flat with him. "But the way he jumped there I'd say he'll make a fine hurdler. "A lot of horses in his position would have thrown in the towel after the sticky jump but he didn't." Gold Cup-winning jockey Walsh was just as complimentary. He said: "He was a bit novicey. We were trapping down to the second last and Davy Crockett got a bit unsighted and just galloped into it. "I loved the way he picked up after that and winged the last. Plenty of improvement likely. "He had been keen in his bumper but settled grand until he got a bit lit up in second half of the race. "He'll learn in time, he's not a big horse but there's an engine in there." 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.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
‘He's so slick' – Willie Mullins' potential next superstar slashed to joint-fav for Cheltenham after ‘impressive' debut
A POTENTIAL Willie Mullins superstar the trainer has dubbed 'so slick' has been slashed for Cheltenham after just one run. The brilliantly-bred Davy Crockett was an easy winner on his hurdles debut at Galway on Monday. 1 Sent off just 1-2 under jockey Mark Walsh, Davy Crockett, who is by Guineas and Derby winner Camelot and out of Mullins' awesome Annie Power, won by two-and-a-half lengths. He extended well when out in the clear but still left plenty of room for improvement in the jumping department. Mullins liked what he saw though - and so did bookies, as they cut him to 14-1 joint-fav from as big as 33s for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Davy Crockett, who is owned by JP McManus and Susan Magnier and a half-brother to dual Grade 1 winner Mystical Power, heads the market for the Festival opener next March with Mullins' Champion Bumper winner Bambino Fever. While he could revert to the Flat, Mullins confirmed his more immediate future lies over hurdles. And he set out an early target his team will work back from - possibly with a view to rocking up at Cheltenham next March. The Closutton boss told Racing TV: "For a horse only having his second run on a track, he was very good. "He was so slick with his jumping apart from at the second last. "Those novices are so fast, he was going faster than the others and he just missed it. "But he was perfect at the last and he looks a real nice prospect with his pedigree. "I want to plan a path to the (Grade 2) Royal Bond in November. "He's not the biggest horse - not a chasing type - but he looks a real hurdler. "He's more a Flat/hurdle type horse and maybe we could go back on the Flat with him. "But the way he jumped there I'd say he'll make a fine hurdler. "A lot of horses in his position would have thrown in the towel after the sticky jump but he didn't." Gold Cup-winning jockey Walsh was just as complimentary. He said: "He was a bit novicey. We were trapping down to the second last and Davy Crockett got a bit unsighted and just galloped into it. "I loved the way he picked up after that and winged the last. Plenty of improvement likely. "He had been keen in his bumper but settled grand until he got a bit lit up in second half of the race. "He'll learn in time, he's not a big horse but there's an engine in there." 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:
