Renowned jockey, Ruby Walsh, lauded the remarkable feat achieved by former mentor Willie Mullins, who now stands as the inaugural trainer to reach a landmark one hundred victories at the prestigious Cheltenham Festival.
A longstanding association between the festival’s champion jockey and the esteemed figure from Closutton traces back to their shared roots in childhood. Mullins notably guided Walsh to his first Festival triumph at Prestbury Park back in 1998, when he steered Alexander Banquet to victory in the Champion Bumper.
Their partnership flourished over the years, with Walsh guiding four of Mullins’ Champion Hurdle successes, solidifying Mullins’ stature as a dominant force in National Hunt racing over the past decade. Despite Walsh's retirement in 2019, his involvement at Closutton endures, witnessing firsthand the establishment's evolution into a leading equestrian hub, brimming with notable achievements.
Amidst the yard's expansion, Mullins retains a paramount influence, impressing Walsh with his adept management both on and off the track. Walsh expressed admiration for Mullins' multifaceted role as a sporting manager, likening him to a CEO overseeing the family-run operation with remarkable prowess.
The milestone century was attained by Mullins, as Jasmin De Vaux, under the skilled guidance of his son Patrick. Irish rival Gordon Elliott clinched the remaining spots on the podium with Romeo Coolio and the favourite Jalon D’oudairies. Elliott, acknowledging Mullins' status as a formidable competitor, expressed his delight at witnessing the revered trainer achieve this significant feat at the pinnacle of jumps racing.
Elliott remarked, "I consider myself fortunate to have shared the same era as Willie Mullins. He is a true luminary in the sport, and I am genuinely pleased to witness his historic achievement of one hundred wins at Cheltenham."