Willie Mullins commenced training in 1988 having worked as assistant to both his father Paddy and to Jim Bolger. He still rates his father as the biggest influence on his career. A former six time amateur champion in Ireland, his greatest moments in the saddle were winning the 1983 Aintree Foxhunters on Atha Cliath and the 1996 Cheltenham champion bumper on Wither or Which
As a trainer Willie has won just about every major prize in Ireland, most of the big ones in the UK and several in France as well for good measure. The Grand National, the Cheltenham gold cup, The King George, The Champion hurdle in England, Ireland and France, the Supreme novice hurdle and numerous Cheltenham bumpers
Despite all of the success he has had throughout his career the last twelve seasons have arguably been the best campaigns of his career. His horses have remained remarkably consistent, and the 2022/2023 produced a record breaking season with 237 winners from 831 runners
The 2023/2024 season broke records again, bringing his Cheltenham festival winners tally to over 100 (see below), the most winners in a season in Ireland (254 winners, 183 placed) But one of his finest accomplishments this season was winning the British jumps trainers title, that hadn’t been achieved since the legendary Vincent O’Brien in 1954
Patrick won the Amateur champion again for the sixteenth time, this season recorded 57 winners and a very impressive strike rate of 42%
Cheltenham Gold Cup – (4) Al Boum Photo (2019, 2020), Galopin Des Champs (2023, 2024)
Champion Hurdle – (5) Hurricane Fly (2011, 2013), Faugheen (2015), Annie Power (2016), State Man (2024)
Queen Mother Champion Chase – (2) Energumene (2022, 2023)
Stayers’ Hurdle – (2) Nichols Canyon (2017), Penhill (2018)
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – (8) Tourist Attraction (1995), Ebaziyan (2007), Champagne Fever (2013), Vautour (2014), Douvan (2015), Klassical Dream (2019), Appreciate It (2021) Kopek Des Bordes
Arkle Challenge Trophy – (6) Un de Sceaux (2015), Douvan (2016), Footpad (2018), Duc des Genievres (2019), El Fabiolo (2023), Gaelic Warrior (2024)
David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle – (11) Quevega (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014), Glens Melody (2015), Vroum Vroum Mag (2016), Benie Des Dieux (2018), Lossiemouth (2024), (2025)
Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle – (7) Fiveforthree (2008), Mikael d’Haguenet (2009), Faugheen (2014), Yorkhill (2016), Sir Gerhard (2022), Impaire Et Passe (2023), Ballyburn (2024)
Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase – (7) Florida Pearl (1998), Rule Supreme (2004), Cooldine (2009), Don Poli (2015), Monkfish (2021), Fact To File (2024) Lecky Watson (2025)
Champion Bumper – (14) Wither or Which (1996), Florida Pearl (1997), Alexander Banquet (1998), Joe Cullen (2000), Missed That (2005), Cousin Vinny (2008), Champagne Fever (2012), Briar Hill (2013), Relegate (2018), Ferny Hollow (2020), Sir Gerhard (2021), Facile Vega (2022), Jasmin De Vaux (2024) Bambino Fever (2025)
Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle – (4) Penhill (2017), Monkfish (2020), The Nice Guy (2022), Jasmin De Vaux (2025)
Ryanair Chase – (6) Vautour (2016), Un de Sceaux (2017), Min (2020), Allaho (2021,2022) Fact To File (2025)
Triumph Hurdle – (6) Scolardy (2002), Burning Victory (2020), Vauban (2022), Lossiemouth (2023) Majborough (2024) Poniros (2025)
Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle – (5) Limini (2016), Let’s Dance (2017), Laurina (2018), Eglantine Du Seuil (2019), Concertista (2020)
National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup – (4) Back in Focus (2013), Rathvinden (2018), Stattler (2022), Gaillard Du Mesnil (2023)
Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle – (4) Sir Des Champs (2011), Don Poli (2014), Killultagh Vic (2015), Galopin Des Champs (2021)
Coral Cup – (2) Bleu Berry (2018) Jimmy Du Seuil 2025)
County Handicap Hurdle – (8) Thousand Stars (2010), Final Approach (2011), Wicklow Brave (2015), Arctic Fire (2017), Saint Roi (2020), State Man (2022) Absurde (2024) Kargese (2025)
Golden Miller Novices’ Chase – (4) Sir Des Champs (2012), Vautour (2015), Black Hercules (2016), Yorkhill (2017)
Liberthine Mares’ Chase – (3) Colreevy (2021), Elimay (2022), Dinoblue (2025)
St James’s Place Festival Hunter Chase – (1) Billaway (2022)
