Tag Archive for: Patrick Mullins

Patrick Mullins checks Chester box in tour of British tracks

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Grand National-winning rider Patrick Mullins ticked off another course on his mission to conquer Britain when victorious at Chester on Friday.

Although only 30 miles separate the Roodee and Aintree, the two courses could not be more different in their make up, and only two months after winning the world’s most famous steeplechase, the amateur pilot switched codes to navigate the tight turns of Chester.

Mullins had finished third in the HRS Cladding Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap aboard John and Sean Quinn’s Red Mirage 12 months ago, but was handed the prime position of stall one aboard Ollie Sangster’s Profit Refused (3-1 favourite) this time around.

Away well over the seven-furlong trip, the 35-year-old had his mount in a handy position throughout and after kicking clear in the straight, just had enough petrol in reserve to hold off the fast-finishing defending champion Outrun The Storm by a neck.

Mullins, who celebrated with a flying dismount, said: “I was wondering if I had kicked too soon and he broke well and I did want to keep my powder dry as long as I could, but then there comes a time where you have to go or you are going to stall and we got home in front – stall one is a massive help here.

“It’s not quite Galway in reverse as Galway has a lot of ups and downs and Chester is completely unique – it’s a circle. I was keen to come back here after riding in this race last year and these opportunities you have to take when you can.

“The speed is a huge buzz. We get to race over this trip at Laytown, but that is a straight course, so to do it here round a bend is great.

“I’m so lucky to ride in a Grand National then to come here and ride over seven furlongs around Chester, not many people get the opportunity to do that.”

It was a close finish in the Chester opener
It was a close finish in the Chester opener (David Davies/PA)

On his ambition to ride a winner at every track in Britain, he added: “It’s been a magic day and there’s 25 more jumps tracks for me to go, I think Cartmel is definitely high on the list.”

Mullins’ victory came in the colours of the Pompey Ventures team, in which school friend David Byrne is a partner.

Byrne was thrilled to be able to provide his friend a rare opportunity on the Flat and told Sky Sports Racing: “We went to school together, we started school when we were 12 and have been pals ever since.

“He’s always been talented and this is great. Everything worked out that we had a runner in an amateur race and Paddy is trying to ride a winner at every track, so it was great that I could give him the call, we go a long way back.”

Crack hurdlers poised for eagerly-awaited Punchestown ‘decider’

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Constitution Hill, State Man and Golden Ace are all set for what Nicky Henderson is calling a “decider” in the Boodles Champion Hurdle at Punchestown on Friday evening.

There were gasps aplenty when Constitution Hill crashed out four from home in a remarkable Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham – and those in the stands did not get much time to recover before State Man exited at the last with the race looking at his mercy.

Jeremy Scott’s mare Golden Ace took full advantage to triumph at 25-1 in the hands of Lorcan Williams, with Burdett Road second at 66-1.

An upbeat Henderson said after enjoying a one-two with Jeriko Du Reponet and Doddiethegreat at the Kildare track on Thursday: “Constitution Hill arrived last night and with him it wouldn’t matter where he was. It just doesn’t bother him one dot. If he got flustered, I’d be worried!

“He’s in good form and it will be a fascinating race and it is a decider between three of them really, and there’s three others in the race as well.”

Constitution Hill also fell at Aintree, and Henderson went on: “These falls are pretty stupid at the end of the day and I hope we’ve got them out of our vocabulary and we can have a clean fight.”

With Nico de Boinville sidelined, James Bowen will ride Constitution Hill for the first time, and Henderson added: “It’s good for everybody that the two horses (Jeriko Du Reponet and Doddiethegreat) have come and run like that. It’s great for James. He had a good walk around with Barry (Geraghty) and he knows where he is going.”

James Bowen celebrates victory with Jeriko Du Reponet
James Bowen celebrates victory with Jeriko Du Reponet (Brian Lawless/PA)

Bowen said after was a confidence-boosting success with Jeriko Du Reponet: “I’ve never had a winner over in Ireland, so it’s great.

“I’ve worked him (Constitution Hill) and schooled him and hopefully all goes well. I didn’t ride him (this morning), but I saw him out and he looks good.”

Scott, meanwhile, is hopeful Golden Ace can repeat the trick in what is undoubtedly a must-see event.

The Somerset trainer said: “She’s very well. I’m very, very happy with her. She left on Wednesday morning and I’m very happy with the preparation.

“Who knows what would have happened had they stood up, but we’ll get a bit more of an answer. It’s a different track, and from my point of perspective huge expectation, but obviously we’d like her to prove herself a worthy Champion Hurdle winner.

Trainer Jeremy Scott celebrates Golden Ace's Champion Hurdle success
Trainer Jeremy Scott celebrates Golden Ace’s Champion Hurdle success (David Davies/The Jockey Club)

“That was always the plan (a rest) having had a couple of quick runs so she’s going there fresh and well.

“They’re telling me they are aiming for good to soft and if they achieve that then I’ll be very happy on that.”

Following her trip to Ireland the daughter of Golden Horn will have a well-earned summer break before a likely shot at defending her title at the Cheltenham Festival next season.

Scott added: “(She’ll have) a good holiday. I would imagine the Champion Hurdle is the plan again next season. We’ll get through Friday and it slightly depends on how that goes and that guides you where you’ll end up, but all things being equal I think that’s where we’d like to go again.”

Lorcan Williams aboard Golden Ace at Cheltenham
Lorcan Williams aboard Golden Ace at Cheltenham (Adam Davy/PA)

Like Constitution Hill, State Man is out for redemption and Patrick Mullins, assistant trainer to his father, Willie, is relishing the opportunity.

The 2024 Champion Hurdle victor looked all set to go back-to-back when his spill at the final obstacle handed victory to Golden Ace on a plate.

He is bidding to win this particular prize for the third year in succession, and Mullins said: “State Man was unlucky and lucky at Cheltenham.

“It was an awful fall. It was great that he got up. He seemed 100 per cent afterwards. It doesn’t seem to have knocked his confidence at all so it’s going to be fascinating to see the two English horses come over and take him on, on home soil.

“I think he was well in the process of redeeming his reputation at Cheltenham and I would be expecting him to redeem it even further at Punchestown, so bring it on!”

Mullins also has Cheltenham Festival winner Kargese in the field, with the six-strong line-up completed by Ian Donoghue’s Break My Soul and Aidan Melia’s Bottler’secret.

Willie Mullins sure to be up for hat-trick bid insists son Patrick

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Patrick Mullins was left to ponder if his father Willie Mullins could win the UK trainers’ title for a third time after proudly watching him emulate the great Vincent O’Brien at Sandown on Saturday.

The master of Closutton became the first Irish-based handler to claim the UK jumps crown in over 70 years when topping the British table for the first time 12 months ago and he followed in the footsteps of O’Brien by edging out Dan Skelton to lift the trophy for a second year running.

It was Patrick’s emotional Grand National victory aboard his father’s Nick Rockett that proved the catalyst for the Mullins juggernaut invading Britain over the subsequent three weeks to spoil the Skelton party.

And having written his own chapter in the annals of the decorated Mullins dynasty at Aintree, the heir to the Closutton throne was soaking up all the emotion and celebration of another special day for his family at the Esher track.

“To do it last year and exorcise the ghost of losing to Paul Nicholls was great, but to do it again and emulate Vincent is special,” said Patrick Mullins.

“I hope we could maybe go and beat Vincent now, but it won’t be easy as Dan is getting bigger and better every year.

“Willie definitely appreciates what he has achieved. He knows the history of the sport and talking back to Vincent O’Brien and the likes of Tom Dreaper (trainer of Arkle), for him to put his name alongside those is the ultimate.”

Paul Townend also paid tribute to his long-time boss, with the Closutton number one hailing the efforts of the whole operation back in County Carlow and those who put in the hard yards which allow him so many highlight-reel moments on the big stage.

Townend said: “I can’t really say any more about Willie that hasn’t been said before and I’m just one of the lucky ones who gets to be on the team.

“It’s a big team and it’s shown how much the owners back Willie – the second this was on, they backed him. You want to be on the team, not trying to beat it.

“It’s a phenomenal effort from Willie, Jackie (Mullins, wife) and Patrick, down to David Casey and all the team – and a lot of them don’t get the credit they deserve either. When we come over for these glory days, they’re back at home riding out the other horses. It’s a huge team effort.”

Patrick Mullins aiming to extend the National party at Ayr

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A week on from his success on Merseyside, Patrick Mullins is still on cloud nine as he goes in search of huge double in the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr Saturday.

The last seven days have been a tale of celebrations for the record-breaking amateur, who reduced his father Willie to tears after booting home Nick Rockett to win the Randox Grand National.

A Saturday night flight back to Ireland was cancelled in favour of an extended stay in Liverpool and the party has continued on home soil, with a Monday evening session with friends and fellow jockeys in Kilkenny followed by a homecoming parade and yet another late one at the Mullins’ local haunt, The Lord Bagenal, on Wednesday.

Patrick Mullins aboard Nick Rockett during their homecoming parade
Patrick Mullins aboard Nick Rockett during their homecoming parade (Brian Lawless/PA)

The 35-year-old, who six months ago became a father for the first time to daughter Wynter, was understandably a little weary on Thursday, saying: “It was a late night! We had a great turnout, everyone was there and we celebrated it well.

“We didn’t do a whole lot on Saturday night, but Monday night and Wednesday we celebrated properly, so we’re well and truly up to date anyway!

“She (Wynter) is pretty good, she either slept through or we didn’t hear her, one or the other! She’s been keeping her end of the bargain.”

With the festivities over, the Closutton machine will again fire up its engines this weekend, with a formidable raiding party bound for the west of Scotland.

In the £200,000 feature, Mullins will be aboard Olympic Man, who opened his account over fences at the third attempt at Naas a month ago.

“He’s probably got enough weight for what he’s done, but with the step up in trip and how unexposed he is, he has a nice profile for it,” said the rider.

“His jumping is going to have to stand up as he has been a bit ropey at times and this is obviously his first handicap, but I think he goes there with a good chance.”

Olympic Man is one of six Mullins runners in the Scottish Grand National, with the Sean O’Keeffe-ridden Chosen Witness the likely favourite.

Macdermott and Danny Mullins after winning last year's Scottish Grand National
Macdermott and Danny Mullins after winning last year’s Scottish Grand National (Robert Perry/PA)

Danny Mullins keeps the ride on last year’s narrow winner Macdermott, Harry Cobden has been booked to partner Captain Cody, Brian Hayes is on Spanish Harlem and Jonathan Burke partners Klarc Kent.

Mullins added: “Chosen Witness won over hurdles there last year and since then we’ve been thinking about coming back this year for the Scottish National. His profile is very similar to Olympic Man’s and I think drying ground will bring out improvement in him.

“The drying ground and the extended trip will both play to Macdermott’s strengths.”

Mullins junior has three rides on the undercard, including likely favourite Ethical Diamond in the £100,000 Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle.

He also has high hopes for Chart Topper in the Tennent’s Lager Novices’ Hurdle and rounds off his afternoon by partnering newcomer Dysart Dolomite in the concluding bumper.

“Ethical Diamond ran a really good race to finish fourth in the County Hurdle last time. I rode an exaggerated waiting race and on the day it probably wasn’t the ideal place to be, so I think he ran well considering,” said Mullins.

“He’d obviously been very keen when he ran at Royal Ascot last year, but judged on how settled he was in Cheltenham, I think I can probably ride him a bit more positively this time. I wouldn’t swap him.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back on Chart Topper as well. He ran really well in Kelso the last day and I think stepping up in trip will help him.”

The sub-plot to the action is, of course, the race to be crowned Britain’s champion trainer.

Willie, Patrick and Jackie Mullins with the champion trainer trophy at Sandown
Willie, Patrick and Jackie Mullins with the champion trainer trophy at Sandown (John Walton/PA)

Willie Mullins became the first Irish handler in 70 years to lift the British title last season and while Dan Skelton had a huge lead prior to Aintree, Mullins closed the gap to just over £120,000 by saddling five of the first seven home in the Grand National.

Most bookmakers now make the reigning champion odds-on to successfully defend his crown, but Mullins junior believes is is far from a done deal.

He added: “Hopefully we can claw some back this weekend, but we’ve had plenty of days where we’ve hit the bullseye and it’s hard to expect bullseyes every day, so we’ll see.

“We were ahead (in the title race) going to Ayr last year, so we’re a good bit behind where we were then and last year we got the rub of the green in close finishes in the Scottish Grand National and the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown, so it’s going to need a big effort.”

National party shows no sign of ending for jubilant Mullins

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Willie Mullins was still in dreamland over that emotional day when the “stars aligned”, as his Grand National champion Nick Rockett received a hero’s reception during his homecoming parade through the village of Leighlinbridge.

It may have been the third time the master of Closutton has conquered Aintree, but given Nick Rockett was partnered by his amateur son Patrick, it was a victory all the more special and all the more emotional for one of racing’s most decorated names.

“It was a very emotional and special day for us all,” said Mullins. “It was sinking in from the Canal Turn that it might be on.

“I would have loved to have had ma (Maureen Mullins) there and both my parents and when I knew Patrick was going to win you just think about all the people who would have really enjoyed seeing it.

From left to right, I Am Maximus, Nick Rockett and Grangeclare West
From left to right, I Am Maximus, Nick Rockett and Grangeclare West (Brian Lawless/PA)

“In this game so many things can go wrong, yet here it was unfolding in front of my eyes.

“When you add it all together it was like throwing double sixes, six times in a row, or a manager sticking his son on the pitch and scoring a goal in a World Cup final or an All-Ireland final. It was a day of just pure emotion.”

Mullins would achieve the remarkable feat of saddling not only the one-two-three in the Grand National thanks to the performances of defending champion I Am Maximus and Grangeclare West, but also added the fifth and seventh for good measure in an achievement being compared to Michael Dickinson’s ‘famous five’ in the 1983 Gold Cup.

However, for Mullins he only had eyes for one horse during the race, as his son wrote his name into the Aintree record books.

Proud owner Stewart Andrew leads Patrick Mullins aboard Nick Rockett
Proud owner Stewart Andrew leads Patrick Mullins aboard Nick Rockett (Brian Lawless/PA)

Mullins added: “For me it was all about Patrick. I didn’t even realise until 20 minutes after the race we were third, fifth and seventh. That’s where my headspace was at that time.

“I’d been watching Patrick all the way through the race, number one because he’s my son, and two, well you can’t watch them all.

“The only worry I had was when I Am Maximus came up beside him at the elbow, but when he started to extend I was thinking bar him doing a Devon Loch he was home and hosed.

“In Patrick’s lifetime, with his weight, he could have only had two or three goes at the National yet to get a horse of that ability and then give it such an exquisite ride, I was so proud.

“When you are a father who puts up their son, if he does anything wrong, everyone will jump on it and say you should have put up a professional, but he did everything right.

Jubilant scenes in Leighlinbridge
Jubilant scenes in Leighlinbridge (Brian Lawless/PA)

“Paul (Townend) was nearly going to ride Nick Rockett, but then I Am Maximus came alive, so Paul stuck with him, which meant Nick Rockett came free for Patrick and the stars aligned at the right time.”

Joining the trainer for the parade were the winning jockey and Bradford-born owner Stewart Andrew, whose late wife Sadie went to school with Mullins before their paths crossed many years later, leading to the purchase of Nick Rockett – the pride and joy of delighted groom Katie Walton.

Mullins admitted to feeling the pace of the post-Aintree celebrations, but more were planned long into the night to toast Nick Rockett’s triumph – with Mullins even wishing his great friend Nicky Henderson could join him at the Lord Bagenal Inn after they were seen happily singing away following the Cheltenham Festival.

“It’s been tough having to celebrate with everyone, but we’re managing!” quipped the master of Closutton.

Leighlinbridge villagers turned out in force on Wednesday evening
Leighlinbridge villagers turned out in force on Wednesday evening (Brian Lawless/PA)

“So far it has been relatively quiet, but I think the parade will carry on until after midnight if you know what I mean. Unfortunately Nicky Henderson is not coming over though so we can’t do another duet – we’re concentrating now on our Christmas album.

“The horse is called Knickers here, so Katie Walton is parading her knickers through Leighlinbridge – it’s what Katie has named him!

“I’m always surprised how far these people travel for these events and hopefully we will all get to have a few drinks.

“Patrick and the jockeys have been going to lots of different places and celebrating – they did Kilkenny on Monday night I think it was (Matt The Millers Bar). But tonight will hopefully be the big party.”

Patrick Mullins handed eight-day suspension following Grand National ride

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Patrick Mullins has been suspended for eight days after being found to have used his whip one above the permitted level aboard Nick Rockett in the Randox Grand National on Saturday.

The record-breaking amateur steered the eight-year-old to a two-and-a-half-length victory in the world’s most famous steeplechase at Aintree, with his famous father Willie saying afterwards: “This is the best day ever, this will never be topped.”

However, the Whip Review Committee found that Mullins had used his whip one above the permitted level of seven from the final fence and as the Grand National is a Class One race, the usual penalty of four days for such an offence was doubled.

The 35-year-old was therefore suspended for eight days on the following dates: April 23, April 25, May 2, May 7, May 10, May 14, May 16 and May 20.

Four other riders fell foul of the whip rules at Aintree, with three amateurs suspended after competing in Friday’s Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase, which is run over the National fences.

Huw Edwards, the rider of the winner Gracchus De Balme, was suspended for seven days after he was found to have used his whip in the incorrect place on two occasions on the run to the line.

Ellie Callwood was suspended for 14 days for using her whip aboard the unplaced Bothwell Bridge when he was out of contention from jumping the last fence, while Charlie Mullins – cousin of Grand National-winning jockey Patrick – was given a four-day ban after he was found to have used his whip without giving Ontheropes time to respond after jumping the third-last fence.

On the same card, leading Flat jockey Billy Lee was found to have used his whip in the incorrect place on the Grade Two bumper winner Seo Linn and he will be suspended from April 22 and April 25 inclusive.

Willie Mullins still in dreamland over National joy with son Patrick

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Willie Mullins does not expect to ever exceed the feeling of watching son Patrick steer Nick Rockett to victory in Saturday’s Randox Grand National.

Despite having won the race twice before with Hedgehunter and I Am Maximus, the champion trainer was visibly emotional in the aftermath of the race, as the Mullins team emulated Tommy and Paul Carberry and Ted and Ruby Walsh as father-and-son combinations to have won the Aintree spectacular.

Willie Mullins appeared on BBC Breakfast on Monday morning with Nick Rockett by his side and said: “He’s out having a pick of grass and he’s in good form. He was a little tired after the race, as you’d expect, but he travelled home well and he’s doing well.

Nick Rockett and trainer Willie Mullins
Nick Rockett and trainer Willie Mullins (David Davies/PA)

“I’m a bit calmer now. It’s just something else. To put it into context, it is like a manager picking his son for the FA Cup final and the son scoring the winning goal.

“The whole thing of all the years training and having your son riding, there’s a lot more pressure when it’s a family thing. When they were coming up the straight, I was thinking of all the people I would have loved to have had there watching on the day that weren’t there.

“I don’t think I’m ever going to surpass that feeling. Patrick was saying there was a good friend of his, Ronan Lawlor, who died in a riding accident when he was 21, and he wished he was there. It’s just a fabulous feeling.

“In our game, the Grand National is the one race you want to win. We’ve all grown up with the Grand National. It’s a great feeling to have a runner in it, never mind winning it. So to win it with your son riding it, and for Patrick with his father training it, it’s just a huge honour.”

Mullins then went on to praise the dedication of his son, whose height and weight made a professional career unlikely, but he has nevertheless committed fully to his role.

Patrick Mullins with his mother Jackie, and father Willie
Patrick Mullins with his mother Jackie, and father Willie (David Davies/PA)

“Patrick is quite big and tall, he’s six foot one-and-a-half, I think. When I saw the size of his shoulders, I thought he’d do well to keep his weight down but he’s so committed,” said Mullins.

“When Ruby Walsh and AP McCoy came along, they brought competitive jockeys into a different league, I think. The commitment to their diet, the way they train, that brought home to me why role models in any sport are so important.

“Patrick tried to do what they did, he minds his weight, he’s in bed early – he doesn’t get that off me – he does things right in a race, if it isn’t going right, he’ll have a plan B, C, D or E but he keeps cool, he’s just a natural jockey really.”

Not only did Mullins saddle the winner, but I Am Maximus took second while Grangeclare West was third and Meetingofthewaters took fifth for the handler, although he did not immediately know where his other runners had finished.

He said: “Having the first three never crossed my mind. When I saw Patrick going to win the race, I had no idea what was third, fourth, fifth or sixth. For the final furlong it was between him and I Am Maximus and I was standing beside JP McManus (owner of I Am Maximus).

“In the aftermath, I never even thought to say sorry about that, but he was delighted for us too, even though we beat him – everything just went out of my mind.

“My mind just went back to people I’d have loved to have had there and people I miss. You couldn’t even dream about doing these things. We’re about halfway through the celebrations!”

Patrick Mullins out of luck at Fairyhouse, but still on cloud nine after earning National acclaim

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Patrick Mullins put his nose straight back to the grindstone as he took a ride at Fairyhouse little more than 24 hours after his Grand National triumph aboard Nick Rockett.

The decorated amateur was part of a famous Aintree renewal for the Mullins family, with his father Willie training not only the winner but also the second, third, fifth and seventh-placed runners.

It was therefore an immensely emotional day, but Patrick did not shirk his Sunday commitments and was back in Ireland to ride 11-4 favourite Future Prospect in the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Total Enjoyment Mares INH Flat Race.

He could only finish third as Ross O’Sullivan’s Switch From Diesel came out on top at 3-1, but little could dampen Mullins’ spirits after his career-defining victory in Liverpool.

“We didn’t make the flight last night. We came home this morning and came straight here,” he said.

“I’ll go home tonight and watch it (National) five or six times. I crossed the line and I didn’t even celebrate, the only thing I could do was smile.

“I’ve been reading about it and watching it since I was a kid. I was watching Red Rum, Crisp and then obviously David and Emmet (Mullins, cousins) won it so it was great to get even with them anyway. I’m sure Danny (Mullins, also his cousin) will have his day.

“It was fantastic, everything I dreamed of and more. It was one of those races that I couldn’t have written how well it went. He jumped brilliantly, no one made a mistake near me or came across me at the Canal Turn.

“When I landed in front at the back of the second-last I said ‘ah, balls’. If I had got beaten on him I would have been kicking myself but I didn’t, thank God!”

Elsewhere on the card, Irancy left Cheltenham behind him with a smart win the Donohue Marquees Novice Hurdle.

The seven-year-old was one of the few horses horse who did not shine at the Cheltenham Festival for Mullins or owner JP McManus, when seventh in the Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

He returned at Grade Two level and duly made amends, scoring by a length and a half under Mark Walsh at 5-1.

Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus, said: “It was a good performance, he (Walsh) said he jumped great and the ground was nice for him.

“He said he was a much happier horse today, it just didn’t happen for him at Cheltenham. The whole thing got to him a little bit and he didn’t perform.

“This is a lovely race to get for him and it’s nice to see him back doing something like that.

“I’m sure if he’s fit and well he’ll go to Punchestown for something.”

Rockett-powered Mullins never met his Nemesis at Aintree

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Patrick Mullins was fearing “Nemesis appearing at his knee” as he hit the front in the Grand National. But history was not for repeating as the amateur jockey wrote himself into the Aintree record books with an emotional success aboard Nick Rockett.

It was the famous quote from Lord Oaksey after being pipped to the 1963 Grand National aboard Carrickbeg, as well as a piece of advice from Richard Pitman, that sprung into Mullins’ mind as the great student of racing began to contemplate big-race glory.

However, his moment of panic did not last, as he added his name to the greats he read about as a child.

Mullins explained: “When we jumped the last, I was thinking, I’ve just got to get to the elbow before I raise my stick, because I remember Richard Pitman telling me that he should have got to the elbow on Crisp before he raised his stick.

“We’ve gone clear, and then I remembered John Oaksey saying that he got ‘Nemesis at his knee’, and I’m waiting for Nemesis (which in Oaksey’s case was eventual winner Ayala, trained by Lester Piggott’s father, Keith, and for Mullins could have been I Am Maximus) to arrive and it doesn’t. Magic – it doesn’t get any better than this.

“I just remember, when I was five or six, reading a book on the Grand National history, and going back to The Lamb, Lottery, Abd-El-Kader, I know the history going back 200 years. I know these names because they won the Grand National, so to put my name on that is mind-blowing.”

Mullins famously described the moment his Grand National dream aboard Burrows Saint went up in smoke after the second-last of the 2021 edition won by his friend Rachael Blackmore on Minella Times.

But four years on, he finally got his own ultimate moment in the spotlight with a horse whose achievements this term allowed the 6ft 1in amateur the chance to hop aboard on the big occasion.

Patrick Mullins with his mother Jackie Mullins and father Willie Mullins
Patrick Mullins with his mother Jackie Mullins and father Willie Mullins (David Davies for The Jockey Club/PA)

Mullins explained: “I ended up on Nick Rockett because he had enough weight for me, first. Obviously Paul (Townend) was going to ride I Am Maximus, and I ended up on Nick Rockett. He won the Thyestes and he had 11 stone 8lb, and I thought he had every chance.

“I’m 6ft 1in, I wake up at 11st 7lb stripped and 11st 2lb is the lightest weight I can do over jumps. What I do with my weight is no different to what a professional does, it’s just that they are a stone less. I get too grumpy at lighter weights.”

With the backing of his father, Mullins has become one of the most decorated amateurs to ever grace the sport, with Nick Rockett’s victory a crowning moment for a racing dynasty steeped in history and one the master of Closutton himself described as his “best day ever”.

Mullins added: “There was no sign of Willie for the first 20 minutes and I think he was off crying somewhere, but it was great to see my mother (Jackie), and my girlfriend Sarah. It was emotional to see my dad, because he’s not very emotional, so yeah, it was nice.”

‘Best day ever’ for Willie Mullins, as son Patrick claims National success

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When a man who has achieved just about everything in the game calls it his “best day ever”, you get some sense of what Willie Mullins was feeling having watched his amateur jockey son Patrick ride Nick Rockett to glory in the Randox Grand National.

Not only that, Mullins was also second with last year’s winner I Am Maximus, third with Grangeclare West and fifth with Meetingofthewaters in an achievement that runs Michael Dickinson’s first five in the 1983 Cheltenham Gold Cup very close.

While he is based in County Carlow in Ireland, Mullins is so dominant he won the UK trainers’ championship last term, but this year did not make much of an effort in the early stages and found himself a long way behind Dan Skelton.

However, having won the lion’s share of £1million in one race, he is now odds-on with the bookies to keep the title.

“You couldn’t write the script today, four of the first five. When Patrick was born, I said if he gets one or two rides in the National he’s done well,” said Mullins, who was emulating Ted Walsh and Tommy Carberry in winning with the National with his son.

“Then he did a bit more than that, but then we started to think could we get a horse with enough weight to give him a chance in the National – but we never dreamt of winning it.

“Watching it all come together – I watched it in JP’s (McManus) box and I was just doing my best to breathe. Patrick was in a fantastic position but then I saw two or three of our other runners come there with a chance.

“When they came to the elbow, I honestly thought I Am Maximus was coming to beat him but I thought ‘well Patrick’s had a great spin’. But then when Patrick got him on the rail and kept squeezing, he began to pull away again.

“I think this is the summit for me, I don’t think it can get any better than this. Now I now how Ted Walsh felt, I never thought I’d have that feeling, but here we are.

“Of course we’ll give the title another go now, it looks like it could be on again, to get first, second, third and fifth – we’ll have to improve and get fourth next year!

“This is the best day ever, this will never be topped.”

On top of the emotion of watching his son ride the winner, Mullins was thinking of the late wife of owner, Stewart Andrew, an old school friend who died just days after watching Nick Rockett run in his first race.

Patrick Mullins with his parents
Patrick Mullins with his parents (David Davies/Jockey Club)

“We went to school together when we were five or six years of age,” explained Mullins.

“I hadn’t seen her then for years, but then one day I met her at Cheltenham and she said she’d get a horse with her husband and sent it to me and it turned out to be Nick Rockett.

“Poor Sadie then got diagnosed (with cancer) but the excitement Stewart is getting from this is brilliant.”

Mullins’ wife Jackie was also on hand to witness her son’s greatest day in the saddle first hand.

She said: “I’m so proud. I can’t put it into words. It’s when we are home and look at it again that I’ll really appreciate it.

“We watched it in JP’s box and we were all roaring for slightly different things, but I was watching Patrick of course and then also the possibility of the one-two-three, which I could see might be on once they got over the last, although we all know what the National is like and anything can happen.”

Patrick Mullins and owner Stewart Andrew after winning the Grand National
Patrick Mullins and owner Stewart Andrew after winning the Grand National (David Davies/Jockey Club)

Patrick Mullins has always appreciated the history of the great game, so to be able to read his name on the long roll of honour meant the world to him.

“That’s so cool. This is the race. I remember reading books about it when I was six or seven and obviously Lottery, The Lamb, Abd-El-Kader as the first double winner of the race and then Reynoldstown, Golden Miller, Red Rum and Crisp and so on. That’s proper history,” he said.

“A few of my cousins (Emmet and David Mullins) have got their name on it as well, so to be able to put my name on it is special.

“We got too good a start and we were too handy. He was jumping brilliant, but I was taking him back everywhere.

“At the Canal Turn second time, I was wondering if I’d dropped back too far, but then once I’ve asked him to make up ground he got there easily and I was going to get there too soon.

“I’d that in mind when we got to the last, so I was bopping around until we got to the elbow and then I said to myself ‘I’m going to go, I’m going to enjoy this’.”

Nick Rockett powers to famous National victory for Willie and Patrick Mullins

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Amateur rider Patrick Mullins enjoyed his finest hour as he guided Nick Rockett to victory for his father Willie Mullins in the Randox Grand National at Aintree.

The Closutton handler had assembled a crack team for the Aintree marathon and as the runners entered the business end, his contenders were dominating the head of proceedings, with I Am Maximus looking in the ideal position to defend his title in the hands of Paul Townend.

However, the burden of top-weight proved too much in the closing stages, as Nick Rockett (33-1) finished full of running, leading home a one-two-three for the champion trainer, who was registering not only back-to-back victories but his third success 20 years after his first with Hedgehunter. Grangeclare West took the third spot – and for good measure Mullins also had the fifth-placed horse in Meetingofthewaters.

Iroko was fourth for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero.

Patrick and Willie Mullins lift the Grand National trophy
Patrick and Willie Mullins lift the Grand National trophy (Peter Byrne/PA)

Patrick Mullins is the latest in the family to have won the race, with his cousins David and Emmet having struck gold, the first-named as a jockey with Rule The World and the second as a trainer with Noble Yeats.

He told ITV Racing: “I had too good a start and was having to take him back all the way. I was wondering at the Canal Turn had I lost too much ground, but he just jumped fantastic.

“Then I was there too soon and it is a long way from the back of the last with Paul on my outside.

“It’s everything I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid, I know it’s a cliche, but when I was five or six years old, I was reading books about the National and watching black and white videos of Red Rum. To put my name there is very special.”

He added: “David and Emmet have already won it so I’m level with them, (cousin) Danny will have to pull his finger out now.”

Nick Rockett was dismounted after the line, but the winning rider said: “The horse is fine and I wouldn’t mind going for a cold bath now myself.

“He’s just a brilliant horse. He’d be one of the smallest in the field but he’s as brave as a lion.”

Willie Mullins was notably emotional as he said: “That was some result. It’s lovely to be able to give your son a ride in the National, but to win it, it’s unbelievable.”

Also full of emotion was owner Stewart Andrew, whose wife Sadie died in December 2022, just five days after watching Nick Rockett in his first race.

Andrew said: “This a class horse, he’s got the heart of a lion. From a personal point of view, I can’t tell you. Sadie would have loved today – she was up there, she’ll have had a tenner each-way, I guarantee you.

“What a ride from Patrick, what a ride. I knew if we got to the front jumping the last, this horse is tough. If you look at this form, when he’s jumped the last, he keeps finding.

“I can’t believe it.”

Patrick Mullins keen to partner Nick Rockett in Grand National

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Patrick Mullins is eyeing up the ride on Nick Rockett in the Randox Grand National at Aintree on Saturday week.

The Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old is a major contender for the world’s most famous steeplechase following winter wins in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park and the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse.

Both of those victories were achieved under Paul Townend, but with Mullins’ stable jockey expected to keep the faith in last year’s National hero I Am Maximus, a plum spare is going begging.

“I’d imagine Paul will ride I Am Maximus and then we have got a good few others there,” Mullins told Sky Sports Racing when paying his first visit to Hexham on Tuesday.

“Danny (Mullins) has often ridden Minella Cocooner and won the bet365 Gold Cup on him, Brian Hayes got a good spin with Grangeclare West in the Irish Gold Cup (finished second to Galopin Des Champs), so I am going to put my name in the hat for Nick Rockett – whether it comes out or not is another thing!

“He won two of the big trials in the Thyestes and the Bobbyjo. He’s not big, I’d say he’ll be the smallest horse in the field, but he’s got the heart of a lion and he’d be a great ride in it.

“You want to be clever and Tiger Roll was small. Whether he takes to it or not, you don’t know, but I think he’d be a fantastic ride.”

How many runners Mullins will field in the supporting races at Aintree next week remains to be seen, but one Closutton star who could be part of the raiding party is top-class mare Lossiemouth.

The grey bagged her second Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival a fortnight ago and could now renew rivalry with Christmas Hurdle conqueror Constitution Hill in the Aintree Hurdle.

Mullins added: “I think we’d have to consider it. Entries are later this week and she seems to have come out of Cheltenham well.

“Annie Power went there and put in probably her signature performance in that race and Lossiemouth won the Hatton’s Grace over two and a half earlier in the season at Fairyhouse.

“It’s definitely under consideration, whether we go or not, the decision hasn’t been made just yet, but Willie being Willie, there might be an entry made.

“She didn’t have a hard race in Cheltenham and there is that time period where you could go to Aintree and on to Punchestown again.”

Victory in last year’s National gave Mullins the upper hand in his bid to become the first Irish-based trainer in 70 years to be crowned champion in Britain and he ultimately sealed the title on the final day of the season at Sandown.

He appears to have his work cut out in his bid to retain his crown, though, with his son and assistant saying: “I haven’t heard Willie mention it yet, but I think we’re a long way behind this time. We didn’t win any of the feature races in Cheltenham this year, whereas last year we won the Champion Hurdle and the Gold Cup and that made a big difference.

“Then again, if you won the National it’s £500,000, but with Aintree and Cheltenham being a little bit closer this year, it’s maybe not ideal, so I’m not sure we’ll be coming over with quite the same strength in numbers – but never say never.”

Patrick Mullins ticks off another in quest to win at every British jumps track

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Patrick Mullins continued his quest to ride a winner at every National Hunt circuit in Britain by steering Jarrive De Mee to an emphatic success at Haydock Park.

The record-breaking amateur has been making frequent trips across the Irish Sea this season, notching victories at low-key venues like Bangor, Catterick, Carlisle, Fontwell and Wetherby to name a few.

The Catterick breakthrough was provided by Jarrive De Mee in January and he was the 1-2 favourite to follow up on Merseyside faced with just three rivals in the Molson Coors Novices’ Hurdle.

Punters who got involved at cramped odds will have had few concerns, with Mullins sending his mount straight to the lead and never seriously troubled, with the rider saluting the crowd as Jarrive De Mee passed the post 21 lengths clear of Starcrossed Lover.

Mullins, whose father Willie was also securing his first winner at Haydock, said: “It was very straightforward and that’s more like it. He was definitely a little below himself in Catterick and he was much better today.

“I think we’ll go to Punchestown with him, or certainly step him up in grade anyway. I’m really looking forward to going chasing with him.

“Haydock is a much tighter track than it looks on TV and the ground was good and fast, but I think he wants good ground so that was fine.”

On his celebration crossing the line, Mullins added: “I had a few friends over and I could hear them cheering, so we gave them a wave!”

The 35-year-old has now ridden winners at 16 British jumps tracks and is hoping to add to that tally in the coming days.

He added: “I’m going to Kelso on Saturday to ride for Harry Derham in the bumper (Kiwi Rush) and then we have Road To Home in at Hexham on Tuesday hopefully, so we’ll be over and back and over and back.”

Family rivalry an extra ingredient in the Mullins machine

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When it comes to assessing the jaw-dropping strength of Willie Mullins’ Cheltenham Festival squad, few are better placed than his son Patrick and nephew Danny.

Both men will have a role to play when the Closutton juggernaut roles into the Cotswolds. How much of a part remains to be seen, with the most successful trainer in Festival history not one for making a decision early if it can be made late.

Stable jockey Paul Townend will have the pick of the majority of the Mullins superstars he wants to ride and as there is no clear number two, with Patrick and Danny somewhere in a cloudy pecking order that keeps even family members guessing, both will have to wait until they called upon.

Willie and Patrick Mullins with Jasmin De Vaux, who last year provided the trainer with his 100th Cheltenham Festival success
Willie and Patrick Mullins with Jasmin De Vaux, who last year provided the trainer with his 100th Cheltenham Festival success (Adam Davy/PA)

When asked if he knew of any confirmed rides for this year’s Festival, 16-time champion amateur Patrick Mullins said: “No, I don’t – I wish I did! I suppose in another year I’d be thinking maybe Dancing City in the National Hunt Chase, but that race has obviously changed, and I don’t know what I’m going to ride in the Champion Bumper yet because I can’t do the weight on Bambino Fever.

“After that you’re trying to pick up spares and it’s very much up in the air, but you’re looking at horses you might have won on before in bumpers or whatever.”

As part of the traditional pre-Festival Irish press trip, Patrick, 35, and Danny, 32, joined the assembled media at the Lord Bagenal, the scene of many a Mullins party over the years, to discuss their hopes and dreams for this year’s meeting.

Danny was in particularly good form, fresh from enjoying a Dublin Racing Festival double, but it is notable that neither were saddled by his famous uncle.

The rider could be forgiven for feeling frustrated by the lack of clarity heading into the biggest week of the year, but he is more than happy to grab whatever opportunities do arise with both hands.

“As per usual with me it’ll be late on,” he said.

“I had a great Dublin Festival, but looking at the entries in the weeks coming up to it I would have been thinking I was hopefully going to be on some of Willie’s and Emmet (Mullins) pops up with one in a handicap and I got on a Joseph O’Brien spare and had two winners.

“It’s great to be in a position where I’ve put myself there to be a go-to man on the big day. My Cheltenham horse was Flooring Porter (dual winner of the Stayers’ Hurdle) and I picked up that ride an hour before the race, so anything can happen.

“It’s probably unlikely that I’m going to have a confirmed ride where I can say I’m going to do this or that in a race. Paul can have plan A, B and C for the ones he knows he’s going to ride, I have to be ready with plan A, B and C for the 28 races and hope I get a ride in one of them.

“That’s just the way it is and it’s worked well for me in the past.”

Lossiemouth in action at Punchestown
Lossiemouth in action at Punchestown (Brian Lawless/PA)

There could be a major spare ride up for grabs on day one, with Lossiemouth looking set to renew rivalry with State Man in the Champion Hurdle, although she remains in the Mares’ Hurdle.

With Townend expected to keep the faith in reigning champion State Man, it appears almost certain one of the Mullins men will be aboard Lossiemouth, should she go for the Champion, having departed four flights from the finish when challenging State Man in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Patrick Mullins was intriguingly jocked up to ride Lossiemouth that day initially, but a couple of hours later it was his cousin’s name who appeared on the racecard.

When asked whether he felt Lossiemouth could win the Champion Hurdle, Danny Mullins said: “I think she definitely can. Constitution Hill is still very good, but even though Lossiemouth fell in Leopardstown, she’d learned a good bit from Kempton the time before.

“In the Christmas Hurdle she jumped quite high, she learned to get lower and faster and eventually paid the price. It was an uncharacteristic mistake, it just came out of nowhere and the reports seem to be that she’s come out of it not too bad.

“The placement of the Dublin Racing Festival to Cheltenham is fantastic, with five weeks rather than two or three, so hopefully Lossiemouth can bounce back from that.”

Patrick Mullins takes a slightly different view, saying of her Leopardstown fall: “It’s a big concern and not an ideal preparation. It was a horrible fall and Ruby (Walsh) always says the good jumpers get the worst falls because they’re not expecting it.”

Even if Lossiemouth and State Man turn up at their best, Mullins believe both will have their work cut out to beat the horse that is looking to regain his crown.

The Mullins team at Cheltenham
The Mullins team at Cheltenham (David Davies/The Jockey Club)

“If Constitution Hill turns up I think we’re all running for place money. I rode in the Supreme when he won it and I always said this horse can’t be beat,” he added.

“I was on Kilcruit and was beside Mighty Potter and Jack Kennedy and even though we were 20 lengths down at halfway I said ‘we could still win this, these can’t keep going, they’ve lost their heads’.

“I knew Dysart Dynamo was a bit of a runaway, Jonbon had gone out to not give Dysart Dynamo anything and we couldn’t go with them. Then Dysart Dynamo falls, I nearly get Jonbon with Kilcruit and your man (Constitution Hill) just keeps going.

“That horse is unbeatable, but the horse I saw in Kempton and Cheltenham in January doesn’t look unbeatable. Maybe I’m conning myself, but there’s hope.”

The feature event on day two is, of course, the Queen Mother Champion Chase, in which Danny has high hopes for Solness.

The seven-year-old proved his surprise Christmas success was no fluke when dominating from the front in last month’s Dublin Chase and while it is uncertain whether Mullins will keep the ride or not at this stage, with J J Slevin potentially set to be recalled, he feels Solness should not underestimated.

“Solness was very good. There’s been plenty of chat about the race, but the speed he went, very few horses could keep up with that,” he said.

“Contrary to whatever everyone is saying, they tried to come with me in Leopardstown. I think I left the ground in third over the first fence and it wasn’t until you jumped the two downhill fences that he really poured it on.

“He impressed me so much. It’s easy to go out and do all the jumping down the back straight, but to go down and jump the last and race from there until the finish, that’s what pays.”

Whether on horseback or on the ground, as assistant to his father Patrick Mullins is relishing being part of what is perhaps the strongest team National Hunt racing has ever seen.

Manchester City’s unexpected demise in the last 12 months is proof that even the mighty can fall, but Patrick believes his father’s burning ambition will ensure the Mullins machine continues to dominate.

“Willie has always said to me, you need fresh blood. You look at what Sir Alex Ferguson did, you need to keep new people coming in.

“Willie is always thinking two years ahead, not even next year. You can’t rest on your laurels. It’s a cliched thing to say, but the hunger Willie has to go ‘again, again’ and ‘more, more’ is incredible.

“We have extra stables this year and he’s on about getting more stables again. We’re all trying to say ‘it’s full’, but at an age when most people are retiring, he’s only ramping up.”

Patrick Mullins gearing up for Transmission mount

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Neil Mulholland has confirmed Patrick Mullins will ride Cheltenham Festival hope Transmission in the Princess Royal National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase on Tuesday.

The marathon event is open to professional riders for the first time this season, with James Bowen and Conor O’Farrell both having ridden the stayer at various parts of the current campaign.

Mullins partnered Transmission to victory at Prestbury Park in November and he will be back aboard the eight-year-old next week, as the jockey seeks a record-extending fifth win in the National Hunt Chase.

Patrick Mullins returns aboard Transmission after winning at Cheltenham in November
Patrick Mullins returns aboard Transmission after winning at Cheltenham in November (Nigel French/PA)

Mulholland said on Wednesday: “Patrick Mullins rides him, he won on him in November giving him a fantastic ride.

“James Bowen would be the normal rider, I know he has his appeal (against a whip suspension) tomorrow, but Patrick is down to ride him at the moment.

“Professional riders are there but he’s a horse who is not keen and if anything a lad who rides with a great length of leg suits him. Patrick got a great tune out of him before and fingers crossed he can do the same next Tuesday.”

Transmission is a best-priced 6-1 for the final race on day one and having thrived over the larger obstacles earlier in the season, he has followed the route used by Mulholland with his only Festival winner, The Druids Nephew, by tuning up for this assignment in the Cleeve Hurdle on Trials day.

Trainer Neil Mulholland is eyeing his second Cheltenham Festival win
Trainer Neil Mulholland is eyeing his second Cheltenham Festival win (David Davies/PA)

Mulholland continued: “I’m very happy with him and all is good. He won very well at the track in November and we’re looking forward to running him.

“We’ve obviously had this race in mind all season really and even his last run in the Cleeve, he was galloping all the way up the straight and was doing his best work at the end.

“We ran him in the Cleeve as his mark was already there and he may as well have a run over hurdles and go have a look at the stands and see the whole layout again and keep him familiar. It gave him a nice day out and let him see everything he’s going to see on the day that matters.”