Paddy Mullins
Encyclopedia
Paddy Mullins was an Irish racehorse trainer
in a career which spanned fifty two years.
His first winner was Flash Parade, which won the 1953 La Touche at Punchestown
. Although he was predominantly a jump trainer, with six Cheltenham Festival
successes, four Irish National winners and ten Irish jump trainers' title under his belt, two of his greatest successes were achieved on the Flat.
Mullins trained the mare Dawn Run
to win Cheltenham's Champion Hurdle
in 1984 and Gold Cup
in 1986. Ridden in both races by Jonjo O'Neill
, she is commemorated with a statue overlooking the Cheltenham paddock.
He also won the 2003 Irish Oaks
with Vintage Tipple and saddled Hurry Harriet to success in the 1973 Champion Stakes
at Newmarket
.
He is the father of trainers Tom Mullins, Willie Mullins
and Tony Mullins. Mullins trained at Goresbridge, Co Kilkenny, from where son Tom assumed control when he retired from training in February, 2005.
Mullins died on 28 October 2010. Many tributes were made by fellow trainers, "He was a great friend of mine for a long number of years and he was a top-class trainer," said Jim Bolger
. Trainer Noel Meade
described Mullins as a "legend" he left "an incredible dynasty behind him".
Horse trainer
In horse racing, a trainer prepares a horse for races, with responsibility for exercising it, getting it race-ready and determining which races it should enter...
in a career which spanned fifty two years.
His first winner was Flash Parade, which won the 1953 La Touche at Punchestown
Punchestown Racecourse
Punchestown Racecourse is located in the parish of Eadestown, between the R410 and R411 regional roads near Naas, County Kildare, in Ireland. It is home of the National Hunt Festival of Ireland....
. Although he was predominantly a jump trainer, with six Cheltenham Festival
Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most prestigious meetings in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom, and has race prize money second only to the Grand National...
successes, four Irish National winners and ten Irish jump trainers' title under his belt, two of his greatest successes were achieved on the Flat.
Mullins trained the mare Dawn Run
Dawn Run
Dawn Run was a Thoroughbred racehorse who was the most successful racemare in the history of National Hunt racing. She won the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham racing festival in 1984 and the Cheltenham Gold Cup over fences at the festival in 1986. Dawn Run was the only racehorse to have...
to win Cheltenham's Champion Hurdle
Champion Hurdle
The Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. As part of a sponsorship agreement with the online sportsbook StanJames.com, the race is now known as the Stan James Champion Hurdle...
in 1984 and Gold Cup
Cheltenham Gold Cup
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in the United Kingdom which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles and 2½ furlongs , and during its running there are twenty-two fences to be jumped...
in 1986. Ridden in both races by Jonjo O'Neill
Jonjo O'Neill
Jonjo O'Neill is an Irish National Hunt racehorse trainer and former jockey. He is a native of Castletownroche, County Cork in Ireland. Based at the Jackdaws Castle training establishment in England, O'Neill is the private trainer to J. P. McManus, one of the largest owners of steeplechasers and...
, she is commemorated with a statue overlooking the Cheltenham paddock.
He also won the 2003 Irish Oaks
Irish Oaks
The Irish Oaks is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July....
with Vintage Tipple and saddled Hurry Harriet to success in the 1973 Champion Stakes
Champion Stakes
The Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October...
at Newmarket
Newmarket Racecourse
The town of Newmarket, in Suffolk, England, is the headquarters of British horseracing, home to the largest cluster of training yards in the country and many key horse racing organisations. Newmarket Racecourse has two courses - the Rowley Mile Course and the July Course. Both are wide, galloping...
.
He is the father of trainers Tom Mullins, Willie Mullins
Willie Mullins
Willie Mullins is an Irish racehorse trainer and former jockey. He is based at Closutton, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, Ireland...
and Tony Mullins. Mullins trained at Goresbridge, Co Kilkenny, from where son Tom assumed control when he retired from training in February, 2005.
Mullins died on 28 October 2010. Many tributes were made by fellow trainers, "He was a great friend of mine for a long number of years and he was a top-class trainer," said Jim Bolger
Jim Bolger
James Brendan "Jim" Bolger, ONZ was the 35th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1990 to 1997. Bolger was elected on the promise of delivering a "Decent Society" following the previous Labour government's economic reforms, known as Rogernomics...
. Trainer Noel Meade
Noel Meade
Noel Meade is a famous horse trainer from Ireland. He established Tu Va Stables in Co. Meath, Ireland as a place to train his horses.Meade began his career as a horse trainer in 1971, but it was not until 1978 that Meade started to become well recognized. Sweet Mint, winner of the Cork and Orrery...
described Mullins as a "legend" he left "an incredible dynasty behind him".