Irish Racing Legends

TONY MARTIN

Born: Co Meath

A NAME that strikes fear into the hearts of bookmakers, thanks to the number of audacious gambles landed over many years, Tony Martin is a top-class trainer and in tems of getting one ready for a race, he is one of the best in the business. Better known as a National Hunt trainer - Davids Lad gave him his biggest jumps success when winning the 2001 Irish Grand National - he enjoyed his first Group One win with Laganore in the Premio Lydia Tesio at the Capannelle in Rome in 2017. 

  Whatever else happens in his remarkable career, the Co Meath trainer will always cherish his trip to Australia for the 2016 Melbourne Cup when Heartbreak City, owned by the Here For The Craic Partnership, was agonisingly beaten a head by Almandin in a thrilling finish to the country's most iconic race. The six-year-old gelding had made history a few months previously in the Betfred Ebor at York by becoming the first horse since Sea Pigeon to carry such a big weight to triumph in Europe's richest Handicap, less than a month after winning a handicap hurlde at Galway.

  Other notable successes abroad were Leg Spinner (2005 Ascot Handicap and 2007 Cesarewitch), Arc Bleu (2007 Northumberland Plate), She's Our Mare (1999 Swinton Hurdle and Cambridgeshire) and Barba Papa (2000 Ascot Handicap), Hollybank Buck (199 Tote Eider Chase), Ross Moff (2000 Barton & Guestier Handicap Hurdle).

  Landed a few tasty bets - and his first Cheltenham Festival winner since 2015 - when Good Time Jonny came from last to first in the 2023 Pertemps Final under an inspired ride from Liam McKenna. But perhaps one of his greatest gambles was landed with his first Fesitival success in the 2003 Coral Cup when the layers were truly taken to the cleaners after the Mick Fitzgerald-partnered Xenophon sprinted up the hill to win by a cosy three and a half lengths. He continued to thrive at the Mecca of jump racing, winning with Dun Doire (2006 William Hill Chase), Savello (2014 Grand Annual Chase) and Rivage D'Or (2015 Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase) as well as enjoying his most successful Festival when landing the Jewison Novices' Chase with Benefficient and the County Hurdle with Ted Veale, both in 2013.

  His victories at home include four Galway Hurdle wins with Thomas Edision (2014), Quick Jack (2015), Tudor City (2019 and 2022), three Paddy Power Chases (Newbay Prop 2007, Living Next Door 2014, Anibale Fly 2017), Guinness Kerry National (Northern Alliance 2009), Pierse Hurdle (Xenophon  2003), Troytown Chase (Royal County Star 2007), Thyestes Chase (Dun Doire 2006), Powers Handicap Hurdle (She's Our Mare 1999), Paddy Power Handicap Hurdle (Good Time Jonny 2022), Pierse Leopardstown Chase (Hollybank Buck 1999), Castlemartin Stud Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase (Hollybank Buck 1998), Drinmore Novice Chase (Bog Warrior 2011), Fitzpatrick Hotel Novice Chase (Ross Moff 2001), Arthur Guiness Premier Handicap (Arc Bleu 2007), Guinness Premier Handicap (Artful Artist 2014), Naas November Premier Handicap (Mr Everest 2018), Leopardstown November Premier Handicap (Golden Spear 2016), Lanawades Stud Fillies Stakes (Laganore 2017), Irish Lincolnshire (Orandi 2025).

  Was a top-class amateur rider before taking out a training licence in 1992. His first winner was Coolmore at Downpatrick the same year. Spent his formative years working for Clem Magnier and Michael Cunningham. He is based just outside the village of Kildalkey at Trimblestown Stud, Co Meath. Had his training licence suspended for three months in May 2024.

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ADRIAN MAXWELL

Born: Yorkshire

THE ACHIEVEMENTS of former Tipperary trainer Adrian Maxwell in 1977 were, by any standards, outstanding, with big-race wins coming for his mixed string at the Cheltenham Festival, Fairyhouse and Royal Ascot. The Englishman sent Orchestration over to land the Coronation Cup, while Meladon became the first Irish-trained winner of the Triumph Hurdle and Billycan gave him his biggest domestic success in the Irish Grand National.

  After receiving a trainer's licence in 1970, he saddled his first winner, Mr Sandman, the same year at Limerick. In January 1971, he moved from his Knocklong base to Phonsie O'Brien's former yard at South Lodge Stables near Carrick-on-Suir and enjoyed his first big success in England with Willie Wumpkins in the Aldsworth Hurdle (now known as the Gallagher Novices' Hurdle) at the Cheltenham Festival. Of course Willie Wumpkins was subsequently transferred to his aunt, Jane Pilkington - a permit-holder based in Gloucestershire - and would gain three more Festival victories in the Coral Golden Hurdle Final (what is, nowadays, the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle).

  Although South Lodge never produced a Classic winner, he still managed to turn out a good number of winners both on the Flat and over jumps with equine stars like Bunker Hill, Shanbally, Fast Score, Dempsey, Lace Curtain Lil, Himself It Is, Snapper Point, Bohemian Grove and Dolly Dewdrop. Eventually the high costs of training, and some bad luck with the virus, forced him to move to the USA in the 80s where he achieved great success with a small string. Irish-bred filly Persian Tiara was his biggest earner with multiple Graded wins.​

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PETER McCREERY

Born: Co Kilkenny

ONE OF the leading National Hunt trainers in the 70s and 80s, Peter McCreery saddled Daring Run to win two Irish Champion Hurdles in 1981 and 1982. He also trained Hilly Way to back-to-back renewals of the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 1978 and 1979. His other Festival scorer Castleruddery, like Daring Run, was ridden by top amateur Ted Walsh in the 1974 Kim Muir Chase.

  Daring Run was a top-class hurdler who landed the Grade One Aintree Hurdle on two occasions and finished third behind Sea Pigeon and Pollardstown in the 1981 Champion Hurdle. He also won the Jameson Gold Cup Novice Hurdle in 1980. 

  Won the Leopardstown Chase and the Thyestes Chase in 1985 with Seskin Bridge (who ran in the presidential colours), a Guinness Galway Handicap Hurdle with the versatile mare Bonne in 1969, and three Munster Nationals with Tarquin Bid (1971), Castlerudderry (1973) and Golden Sparkle (1974). Hilly Way was also successful in the Country Pride Champion Hurdle as a novice in 1976 and landed the Bradstock Insurance Novice Chase the following season.

  Other good horses trained by him were Troubled Times (Morgiana Hurdle 1974; Drinmore Novice Chase 1975; Arkle Perpetual Trophy 1976; Power Gold Cup 1976), Call The Tune (Ratoath Novice Chase 1977; Dunshaughlin Handicap Hurdle 1976), Dromore (Dan Moore Handicap Chase 1976), Uileann (Newlands Chase 1977), Chevalid (Bradstock Insurance Novice Chase 1975). Another Shot (Punchestown Champion INH Flat Race 1983), Bocas (Punchestown Champion INH Flat Race 1973), Thumper (Drinmore Novice Chase 1977), Bonne (1968 GPT Galway Handicap and the Carling Gold Cup Handicap, ridden by the great TP Burns). A notable winner on the Flat was On Safari in the 1965 Leopardstown November Handicap.

  Wife Ann is a sister of the late Pat Taaffe of Arkle fame.

  After his death in February 1988, son Peter Jr took over the licence at the Capdoo Stables in Clane, and promptly trained Son Of War to win the Irish Grand National in 1994. His other son Willie - who played Gaelic football at the highest level and was the driving force in guiding Kildare to a first Leinster title in 42 years in 1998 - enjoyed a first Group One success with Fiesolana in the Matron Stakes in 2014. He trains at Rathbride Stables on the Curragh.

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DES McDONOGH

Born: Co Limerick

THE MOYNALTY, Co Meath handler will be forever remembered as the trainer of the great Monksfield, the winner of two Champion Hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival (1978 and 1979). Monksfield won four times in his first season hurdling, as well as finishing second in the Triumph Hurdle in 1976. He also finished runner-up twice in the Champion Hurdle behind great rivals Night Nurse (1977) and Sea Pigeon (1979). His other victories at the highest level came in the Aintree Hurdle (1977, 1978, 1979) and the Welsh Champion Hurdle in 1979. Not bad for a horse who cost 740 guineas as a yearling at the Goff's Sales in 1972.

  Stranfield was another Festival winner for the Billywood yard, winning the Supreme Novices' Hurdle in 1979, the same year Monksfield retained his Champion Hurdle crown. Other stable stars were Herbert United, awarded the 1986 Irish Champion Hurdle in the stewards' room after the disqualification of Kesslin, Assigh Lady, Brevet, Royal South, Morga, Fiscal Focus and Hearts Are Trumps. Took out a licence in 1972 and trained his first winner, Muraka, at Thurles in 1973.

  Wife Helen, the daughter of former trainer Cyril Bryce-Smith, was a record-breaking point-to-point rider who also partnered Monksfield to his last victory at Down Royal in 1980 before he headed off to stud. Years of lobbying for women to be allowed to ride against men in races under rules was rewarded in the late 1960s in what was a watershed moment for racing. She died at the age of 82 in October 2023. Son Declan was champion Irish Flat jockey in 2006. 

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NOEL MEADE
Born: 1951

NOEL Meade has been a leading figure in Irish National Hunt racing since taking out a licence in 1972 after two years training with a permit. A flirtation with Flat racing (he finished fourth in the 1998 Epsom Derby with Sunshine Street) produced some successes, including a 20/1 winner at Royal Ascot (Sweet Mint) in 1978 and a first Group One win with Helvic Dream in the 2021 Tattersalls Gold Cup.

  But it's his exploits over jumps, particularly with hurdlers, which thrust him into the limelight. Batista (beaten a short head in the 2000 Triumph Hurdle), Fane Ranger (Morgiana Hurdle 1983), Pinch Hitter (McDonogh Handicap 1981, 1982; Galway Hurdle 1982, 1983), Novello Allegro (1992 December Festival Hurdle), More Rainbows (2005 Galway Hurdle), Cockney Lad (1997 Irish Champion Hurdle), Harchibald (runner-up to Hardy Eustace in the 2005 Champion Hurdle when snatching defeat from the jaws of victory and earning over €600,000 in career prize-money), Iktitaf (winner of three Grade Ones, 2005 Royal Bond, 2006 Champion Novice Hurdle, 2006 Morgiana), Jazz Messenger (winner of two Grade Ones, 2006 Christmas Hurdle, 2007 Morgiana) and Sausalito Bay (who gave him a first Cheltenham Festival success after a 22-year wait in the 2000 Supreme Novices' Hurdle) delivered fame and rich pickings for the young Meath handler who had no background in racing.

  A long-overdue second Festival winner was secured with Nicanor in the SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle (2006) and Go Native (winner of Newcastle's Fighting Fifth Hurdle and Kempton's Christmas Hurdle in 2009) made it winner number three in the 2009 Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Iktitaf was travelling ominously well when falling at the third last in the 2007 Champion Hurdle won by outsider Sublimity. He had to wait five more years before he entered the hallowed ground of the winners' enclosure again when Very Wood landed the 2014 Spa Novices' Hurdle. Road To Respect (2017 Brown Handicap Chase) and Jeff Kidder (2021 Fred Winter Hurdle) brought his Festival tally to six winners. Most of his horses were ridden by Paul Carberry, one of the most naturally-gifted jump jockeys of all-time. 
  Enjoyed his biggest success over the bigger obstacles when The Bunny Boiler won the 2002 Irish Grand National. A big-race double at Cheltenham's December 2005 meeting with Harchibald (Grade Two Bula Hurdle) and Sir Oj (Robin Cook Memorial Gold Cup Chase) were other highlights. Harchibald won 14 races, five of those coming at Grade One level (Fighting Fifth Hurdle 2004 and 2007; Christmas Hurdle 2004 and 2008; John James McManus Memorial Hurdle 2006).
  A significant milestone was reached at his local Navan track in 2008 when Rinroe gave him the 2,000th win of his career, His first was Ta Vu at Wexford in 1971 which he rode himself. Over the years, he has won most of the major jumps races in Ireland, including the Punchestown Champion Chase (Strong Run, 2002), Ryanair Gold Cup (Thari 2003; Aran Concerto 2009; Realt Dubh 2011; Road To Respect 2017), Hatton's Grace Hurdle (Aitmatov 2007), Savills Chase (Johnny Setaside 1995; Pandorama 2010; Road To Riches 2014; Road To Respect 2017), Ladbrokes Champion Chase (Road To Riches 2014; Road To Respect 2018, 2019), Fort Leney Novice Chase (Casey Jones 2008, Pandorama 2009), Herald Champion Novice Hurdle (Cardinal Hill 1999; Scottish Memories 2002; Wild Passion 2005; Iktitaf 2006; Jered 2008), Drinmore Novice Chase (Daltmore 1983; Johnny Setaside 1995; Harbour Pilot 2001; Watson Lake 2004; Pandorama 2009; Beacon Edge 2021), Champion INH Flat Race (Tiananmen Square 1992; Geill Sli 2004; Leading Run 2006; Mick The Man 2007), Royal Bond Novice Hurdle (Wild Passion 2004; Iktitaf 2005, Muirhead 2007), Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle (Rosaker 2005; Monksland 2012), Racing Post Novice Chase (Dardjini 1997; Realt Dubh 2010), Dr P J Moriarty Novice Chase (Harbour Pilot 2002; Apache Stronghold 2015; Disko 2017), Tattersalls Novice Hurdle (Native Estaes 1998; Mr Nosie 2006; Aran Concerto 2007; Pandorama 2009), Spring Juvenile Hurdle (Shirley's Delight 1994; Sungazer 2004, Power Elite 2004), Paddy Power Future Champion Novice Hurdle (Mr Nosie 2005; Hollo Ladies 2009), Slaney Novice Hurdle (Toofarback 2006; Monksland 2012), Punchestown Champion 4-Y-O Hurdle (Atherstone 1985; Jeff Kidder 2021), Arkle Novice Chase (Frozen Groom 2000; Realt Dubh 2011), Morgiana Hurdle (Fane Ranger 1983; Cockney Lad 1996, 1997; Nomadic 1998; Harchibald 2004; Iktitaf 2006), Golden Cygnet Novice Hurdle (Pietro Vanuncci 2002; Watson Lake 2004; Nicanor 2006), Barberstown Castle Novice Chase (Sydney Twothousand 1999), (Punchestown Champion Novice Chase (Disko 2017), Galway Plate (Road To Riches 2014, Pinkerton 2024) and Galway Hurdle (Pinch Hitter 1982, 1983; More Rainbows 2005).

  Other good scorers on the Flat were Steel Duke (1981 GPT Handicap and 1981 Carling Gold Cup Handicap), Beau Beauchamp (1992 GPT Handicap), Heist (1995 GPT Handicap), Dromod Hill (1987 McDonogh Handicap and 1987 Golden Pages Handicap), Pinch Hitter (1982 Golden Pages Handicap), Red Chip (1979 Meld Stakes), National Form (1985 Irish Cambridgeshire), Street Rebel (1992 Greenlands Stakes), Kayfa (1993 Ballycorus Stakes), Southern Music (1982 Scurry Handicap), Rogerdor (1995 Leopardstown November Handicap), Rangoon Ruby (1985 Phoenix Sprint Stakes), Caught U Looking (2023 Weld Park Stakes). 

  Along with Willie Mullins, he ruled the National Hunt roost after Aidan O'Brien decided to concentrate his operations exclusively on the Flat and is the holder of seven Jump Trainers' titles based on prize-money - breaking through the €2 million barrier in 2005-2006 season when Nicanor scored a Grade One win at Punchestown - and nine on number of winners. Mullins's all-powerful Closutton stables soon took over the mantle and he has dominated the trainers  championship since with Gordon Elliott.

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ARTHUR MOORE
Born  Co Kildare,1949

SINCE TAKING out a training licence over 40 years ago, Arthur Moore has consistently sent out winners in the highest grade over jumps, not a surprise as his late father Dan was one of the greatest trainers of all-time. In 1968 he rode 15 winners to earn a share of the amateur title with Dermot Weld. He then turned professional and achieved his most important success on the Georgie Wells-trained King's Sprite in the 1971 Irish Grand National. Twenty five years later he emulated his father's feat of winning the race as both jockey and trainer with Feathered Gale's 1996 victory. Saddled a second National winner when Organisedconfusion, ridden by his niece Nina Carberry, romped home in 2011.
  His eight Cheltenham Festival wins include two Champion Chases with Drumgora (1981) and Klairon Davis (1996), who also landed the Arkle Chase (1995).
His other five winners at the mecca of National Hunt racing are The Brockshee (1982 Arkle Chase), Second Schedual (1993 Cathcart Cup); Fadoudal Du Cochet (2002 Grand Annual Chase); Tiger Cry (2008 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase) and What A Charm (2011 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle).
  His record in the Pierse Hurdle (formerly the Ladboke and Irish Sweeps Hurdle and now run as the Liffey Handicap Hurdle) is second to none with six victories (Irian 1979, Fredcoteri 1983 and 1984, Bonalma 1986, Roark 1988 and Graphic Equaliser 1998). Irian was his first winner in 1979 and Royal Bond gave him his breakthrough victory in Britain in October 1980, winning the Lambert And Butler Premier Chase Qualifier. He returned for the final the following January to beat Royal Dipper and Light The Wad. Irian won Aintree's Maghull Novices' Chase in 1981 and Jeffell landed the 1998 Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot. King Johns Castle came tantalisingly close to emulating his father's Aintree success when runner-up to Comply Or Die in the 2008 Grand National. 
  Six Grade One wins with the star two-and-a-half-mile chaser Native Upmanship were other career highlights. They were the 1999 Denny Gold Medal Novice Chase, 2000 Powers Gold Cup, two John Durkan Chases and two Melling Chases. He has enjoyed many more successes in a lengthy career and was crowned Champion National Hunt trainer in the 1991-1992 season.

  Other Grade One/Grade A wins came in the Kerrygold Champion Chase (Mansony 2007), James Nicholson Champion Chase (More Than A Stroll 2002; Glenelly Gale 2003), Kerry Grand National (More Than A Stroll 2002), Dr PJ Moriarity Novice Chase (The Railway man 2006), Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase (Mansony 2007), Pierse Leopardstown Chase (Lyreen Wonder 2002 and Marcus Du Berlais 2005), David Austin Novice Handicap Chase (Feathered Leader 2000), Dan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase (Kings English 1993, 1994, Fadoudal Du Cochet 2004). Yankees Princess gave him an Irish Lincolnshire in 1983.

  He continues to train from his base at Doreens near Naas but on a smaller scale. His last Grand National winner came at Downpatrick in 2021 when Fag An Bealach, partnered by up-and-coming jockey Daragh O'Keeffe, proved an emphatic winner of the €50,000 Ulster Grand National.   
  Was assistant to his father before taking out his own trainer's licence in 1976 and regularly delights racegoers by mimicking Dan's famous stunt of putting his trilby on the head of L'Escargot after his 1975 Aintree Grand National triumph. Sons JD and Andrew and daughter Anna work in the racing industry.

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DAN MOORE
Born, 1910-1980

DAN MOORE was a top-class National Hunt jockey as well as a training legend who won two Gold Cups and an Aintree Grand National with L'Escargot.  A retainer to ride for the eccentric owner Dorothy Paget was pivotal to him becoming Irish champion jockey in 1940 with 58 winners. In doing so he interrupted the sequence established by leading Flat jockey Morny Wing, who had farmed the title in all other years between 1937 and 1945.

  He won the Irish Grand National twice in the Paget colours on the Charlie Rogers-trained Golden Jack in 1940, and on Revelry for legendary bloodstock agent Jack Doyle in 1947. Although Dick O'Connell, head man at the jockey's old Fairyhouse yard (he subsequently moved to Ballysax, Kildare) went in to the record books as Revelry's trainer, it was the winning rider who was the de facto trainer.

  At the end of his riding career he took out a training licence and saddled the first of 14 Cheltenham Festival winners when Pontage won the National Hunt Chase in 1953. Quita Que won the Cathcart in 1958, and the following year the same horse landed the first running of the Champion Chase. Two years later Quita Que recorded a third Festival win in the Cathcart for a second time. 

  In 1962, he won a division of the Gloucestershire Hurdle with Tripacer, ridden by Tommy Carberry (riding his first winner over hurdles) who would later marry the trainer's daughter, Pamela. Carberry quickly established himself as a brave and stylish rider over jumps and the partnership would subsequently share some of the greatest moments in jump racing history.

  L'Escargot - owned by Raymond Guest who served as American ambassador to Ireland between 1965 and 1968 -  won the Gold Cup as a seven-year-old in 1970 and retained his title in 1971 but it was as a 12-year-old that he sealed his trainer's legendary status when defeating Red Rum in the the 1975 Grand National. It was a sweet moment for Moore, who had suffered an agonising close defeat on Royal Danieli to Battleship in the 1938 running of the great steeplechase.

  Tied Cottage, who finished first in the 1980 running of the Gold Cup only to be subsequently disqualified because of contaminated foodstuffs, gave him a one and only triumph in the Irish Grand National (1979). With his health in decline (he died the following year), his wife Joan supervised the emotional win under amateur rider and owner Tony Robinson who was also in the throes of a serious illness. Artic Ale gave him his last Festival winner in the 1979 National Hunt Chase, the same year the same horse landed the Topham Chase under amateur John Fowler.
  Son Arthur has successfully followed in his father's footsteps, training eight Cheltenham Festival winners. Joan, a prominent figure in Irish racing after her husband's death, died in 2019, aged 91. She served as manager of Punchestown racecourse and was the first female to become a Steward of the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee. Grandchildren, Paul, Philip and Nina Carberry, went on to become top-class National Hunt jockeys.

MOORE'S 14 FESTIVAL WINNERS
 1953 Pontage (National Hunt Chase)
 1958 Quite Que (Cathcart Chase)

 1959 Quite Que (Champion Chase) 
 1961 Quite Que (Cathcart Chase)
 1962 Tripacer (Gloucestershire Hurdle)
 1963 Bahrain (County Hurdle)
 1966 Flying Wild (Cathcart Chase)
 1968 L'Escargot (Gloucestershire Hurdle)
 1970 L'Escargot (Gold Cup)
 1971 L'Escargot (Gold Cup)
 1973 Inkslinger (Champion Chase); Inkslinger (Cathcart Chase)
 1976 Tied Cottage (SunAlliance Chase)
 1979 Artic Ale (National Hunt Chase)

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'MOUSE' MORRIS
Born: Co Galway, 1951

MICHAEL 'MOUSE' Morris, son of the late Lord Killanin (former supremo of the Olympic Games), has won at the Cheltenham Festival as an amateur rider, a professional jockey and trainer. He has also ridden and trained an Irish Grand National winner. But perhaps he will be best remembered for saddling the Michael O'Leary-owned Rule The World to Aintree Grand National glory in 2016, having never won a race over fences in 13 previous attempts. The previous summer, his son Christopher ('Tiffer') had died from carbon monoxide poisoning while travelling in Argentina.
  Mr Midland's triumph in the National Hunt Chase (1974) provided the highlight of his amateur riding career and as a professional he partnered Skymas to win successive renewals of the Champion Chase and also rode Billycan to victory for trainer Adrian Maxwell in the 1977 Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse. Other highlights were victories on Lean Forward (1978 Pierse Leopardstown Chase) and Bunker Hill (1977 Powers Gold Cup Chase). 
  Broke his leg riding in the Colonial Cup in America and was out for eight months. Almost as soon as he came back he fractured his arm on two occasions, prompting his retirement. Took out a trainer's licence in 1980 and saddled his first winner with Faugheen at Limerick the same year. 
  In the first 10 years of his training career, he saddled four Cheltenham Festival winners - Buck House 1983 Supreme Novices' Hurdle and 1986 Champion Chase, Attitude Adjuster 1986 Foxhunter Chase and Trapper John 1990 Stayers' Hurdle. Fota Island (runner-up in the 2006 Queen Mother Champion Chase) gave him a long overdue fifth in the 2005 Grand Annual Chase.
  However, the victory of War Of Attrition (also owned by Michael O'Leary), who led home Ireland's first 1-2-3 in the 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup, was a career high until Rule The World's Grand National win. Enjoyed a first Irish Grand National success as a trainer when Hear The Echo prevailed in 2008 and won the race again eight years later with Rogue Angel in 2016. Secured his seventh Festival winner when First Lieutenant landed the Neptune Novices' Hurdle (2011). Buck House also landed a couple of big-race successes in the Kerrygold Champion Chase (1985) and an Irish Arkle Cup Chase (1985). He saddled Trapper John (1992 and 1990) and What A Question (1997) to win three Boyne Hurdles. His Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition also lifted a Punchestown Gold Cup Chase in 2006.

  Cahervillahow, who was controversially disqualified after winning the 1991 Whitbread Gold Cup, gave him big wins in the Dr P J Moriarty Novice Chase (1990), Savills Chase (1990) and John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (1993). Other notable wins came with Boss Doyle (Mildmay Novices' Chase 1998), His Song (Racing Post Chase 1998 and Irish Arkle Chase 1999), Belvederian (Clonmel Oil Chase), Foxchapel King (Troytown Chase 1999, Munster National, James Nicholson Champion Chase and Savills Chase 2001), China Rock (Punchestown Gold Cup 2012), Alcapone (Ryanair Novice Chase 2001), Monifeth Man (Golden Cygnet Novice Hurdle 2000), First Lieutenant (Paddy Power Future Champion Novice Hurdle 2010 and Betway Bowl 2013), War Of Attrition (Punchestown Gold Cup 2006), Keepatem (Paddy Power Chase 2004), Fota Island (2005 Red Rum Handicap Chase), Bailey Breeze (Greenmount Park Novice Chase 2005), Venalmar (Slaney Novice Hurdle 2008), Rule The World (Slaney Novice Hurdle 2013), Alpha Des Obeaux (Clonmel Oil Chase 2017 and John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle 2016), Foxy Jacks (Guinness Handicap Chase 2021 and Midlands National 2023) and Gentlemansgame (bet365 Charlie Hall Chase 2023).

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JOHN MULHERN

Born: 1941-2010

ENJOYED REMARKABLE success with a small string of horses from his Meadow Court Stud, Curragh base after taking out a licence in 1975, many of whom ran in his distinctive colours of red with a white question mark on the back and front. His best jumper was Galmoy, a top-class stayer whose victories under Tommy Carmody in successive Stayers' Hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival (1987 and 1988) kept the Irish flag flying at a time when fortunes were at an all-time low.

  Probably his most important success came at Fairyhouse in 1995 when Flashing Steel won the Irish Grand National in the colours of his father-in-law, former Taoiseach Charles Haughey. Other good jumpers he handled were Hungary Hur, On The Other Hand, Welcome Pin, Buckboard Bounce and Wolf Of Badenoch.

  He enjoyed success on the Flat too, landing the 1990 Beresford Stakes with Approach The Bench, a winner of the 1994 Grade One Eddie Read Handicap in the US when still owned by him. He won several big handicaps on the Flat, including the Irish Lincolnshire with Marvellous Marvin (1989), the Golden Pages Handicap twice, with Montefiore (1990) and two years later with Approach The Bench. He won the Irish Cesarewitch twice with Miltonfield (1996 and 1999). His final winner was Puyol at his beloved Leopardstown in 2010. He died after a lengthy illness in March, 2010, aged 69.

  He was a prominent and popular owner as well as a well-known and respected figure in Irish business circles. His wife, Eimear, is a leading figure in the Irish and European bloodstock industry, filling many important roles. Was chairman of Goffs sales company and a former president of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association as well a director of Horse Racing Ireland and a committee member of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing. She is also an established and successful breeder through her Abbeville Stud in Co Kildare. Meadow Court Stud was sold in 2016.

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PADDY MULLINS

Born, Co Kilkenny 1919-2010

PADDY Mullins's contribution to Irish racing was immense before he announced his retirement, aged 86, on February 26th, 2005 - a career that spanned 52 years. Head of one of the most famous National Hunt families in Ireland, he is the only trainer to win a Champion Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold Cup with the same horse, a feat he achieved with the mare Dawn Run in 1984 and 1986. In total he saddled six Cheltenham Festival winners (Herring Gull, Counsel Cottage, Hazy Dawn and Macks Friendly were his other four).

  A man of many talents, he saddled Hurry Harriet to win the Champion Stakes at Newmarket in 1973 (beating the brilliant French filly Allez France) as well as saddling four Irish Grand National winners (Luska 1981, Dim Wit 1972, Herring Gull 1968 and Vulpine 1967). His achievements in 2003 (at the age of 84) were remarkable with victories in the Irish Oaks (his first Classic success) with Vintage Tipple and the Glaway Plate (his third following The Gooser and Boro Quarter) with Nearly A Moose. Other horses of note he handled were Grabel and Minorettes Girl. Grabel's victory in the $750,000 International Hurdle at the Dueling Grounds in Kentucky (1990) rated right up there with the very best of any international training achievement.

  He passed away, aged 91, October 28th, 2010. Son Tom, who recorded his first Cheltenham Festival winner when Alderwood landed the 2012 County Hurdle, took over his father's licence while other sons Willie (amateur) and Tony were talented jockeys before launching successful training careers. Willie is widely regarded as the greatest jumps trainers of all-time. Daughter Sandra McCarthy also trains and another son George is a well known horse transporter.

  Grandchildren include record-breaking amateur rider Patrick, multiple Grade One-winner Danny, and David who rode Rule The World to win the 2016 Aintree Grand National. Grandsons Charlie and Emmet have also ridden winners while the latter trained 2022 Aintree Grand National winner Noble Yeats, underlying the family's incredible influence on National Hunt racing. 

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WILLIE MULLINS

Born: Co Kilkenny, 1956

FROM A family steeped in racing, record-breaking William Peter Mullins (pictured at the top of the page) continues to stamp an indelible mark on the sport after taking out a training licence in 1988. In 2024 he won his fourth Gold Cup to add to five Champion Hurdle victories and two Queen Mother Champion Chase wins. He has saddled the winners of the Aintree Grand National (three times), the Irish Grand National (twice), the King George V1 Chase (twice), the Irish Gold Cup (14 times) and the Irish Champion Hurdle (nine times). Quiet simply he has set boundaries that will take some breaching and will likely continue to do so with apparently an endless conveyor belt of talent at his disposal. By the end of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, the Co Carlow-based trainer had accumulated an incredible 113 winners to his name at the Mecca of National Hunt racing, 38 clear of nearest rival Nicky Henderson on 75. The most successful trainer at the Festival saddled 10 winners at the meeting in 2025 - equalling the record he achieved in 2022 - and collected the Leading Trainer Award for a 12th time.

  Tourist Attraction, at odds of 25/1, got him off the mark in 1995 in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, and it was the 2011 Festival which can be said to have signalled the start of his domination of the meeting. Four winners was not only a personal best score for him at the time, it was also enough to make him the top trainer at the meeting for the first time. He has now been leading trainer 12 times at the Cheltenham Festival, including each of the last seven years, and has set record totals of eight in 2015 and then 10 in 2022 and 2025. Another milestone was passed in 2013 when he overtook the legendary Tom Dreaper to become Ireland's most successful trainer at the Festival.

  He reached the 100-winner mark there in 2024 - and it was fitting that it should come in a race he has won more than any other at the Cheltenham Festival -  when Jasmin De Vaux obliged at 9/2 in the Bumper for amateur son Patrick. It followed a first-day treble courtesy of Champion Hurdle hero State Man, Mares' Hurdle victor Lossiemouth and Gaelic Warrior in the Arkle. And when Ballyburn and Fact To File trotted up in the Gallagher Novices' Hurdle and Brown Advisory Novices' Chase respectively on day two, it was the trainer's 13th victory - winner number 14 followed the following year with Bambino Fever - in the Weatherby's Champion Bumper that saw him hit the magical ton. Better was to follow when Galopin Des Champs landed the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup in its centenary year, becoming the first trainer to win twice with two different horses, after also scoring with Al Boum Photo in 2019 and 2020. Majborough's win in the Triumph Hurdle and a victory for Absurde in the County Hurdle sealed the leading trainer title at the Festival for the 11th time in the last 14 years with nine winners. He continued to carry all before him later that spring when I Am Maximus rewarded favourite backers with a brilliant seven-and-a-half-length success in the Randox Grand National, adding to his four other Grade One victories at the three-day Aintree meeting. 

  The roots of his success go back at least a generation but undoubtedly the work ethic he learned from his father Paddy - who is still the only trainer to win the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup with the same horse, the great mare Dawn Run, in 1984 and 1986 - and the legendary trainer Jim Bolger is bearing rich fruit. It also helped that so many of his big-race winners were ridden by probably the greatest jockey of all time, Ruby Walsh, who remains part of the Closutton team now that his professional riding days are behind him. Paul Townend slotted seamlessly into the role of first jockey to the most powerful jump training yard in the country. He was the rider on board when his guv'nor landed that elusive first Gold Cup on Al Boum Photo in 2019.

  After a noteworthy riding career of his own - he was six times champion amateur in Ireland - his progress as a trainer was steady rather than spectacular. His first big star was Florida Pearl, who won nine Grade Ones, including four Irish Gold Cups (1999, 2000, 2001, 2004) and a King George V1 Chase (2001). He then enjoyed one of the greatest moments of his career when Hedgehunter won the 2005 Aintree Grand National. The gelding went on to finish runner-up in both the 2006 Gold Cup and Grand National. 

  Since then the winners have flowed with monotonous regularity and the list of top-class performers he has handled would figure prominently among the all-time list of National Hunt superstars. Hurricane Fly (winner of 22 Grade One races including two Champion Hurdle victories), Douvan (winner of seven Grade One races), Vatour (successful at the Cheltenham Festival three years in succession), Quevega (winner of an unprecedented six consecutive runnings of the Mares' Hurdle between 2009 and 2014), Faugheen (winner of 14 races over hurdles and fences, including a stunning victory in the 2015 Champion Hurdle and two wins in Kempton's Christmas Hurdle), Annie Power (won 17 of her 23 career starts, including a historic victory in the 2016 Champion Hurdle), Galopin Des Champs (2023, 2024 Gold Cup), Al Boum Photo (2019 and 2020 Gold Cup), Energumene (2022 and 2023 Queen Mother Champion Chase), Un De Sceaux (winner of 23 of 34 starts, including a hat-trick of wins in the Clarence House Chase and a Tingle Creek Chase) and State Man (winner of 10 Grade Ones, including the 2024 Champion Hurdle). The list goes on and on.

  His ability to produce top-class bumper horses has been the hallmark of his career with a record number of wins in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival. Wither Or Which got the ball rolling in 1996, ridden by Willie himself. He has won the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle 11 times, eight of those victories coming consecutively and six of them with the remarkable Quevega. In 2022 he trained 10 winners at the meeting, breaking his previous joint-best of eight shared with Gordon Elliott. On an unforgettable final day, he saddled a 1,518/1 five-timer with Vauban, State Man, The Nice Guy, Billaway and Elimay. 

  Was crowned champion Irish jump trainer for the 17th time in 2023, another memorable season that saw him sending out his 4,000th career winner. Other highlights on home soil were an Irish Gold Cup win with Galopin Des Champs and an Irish Grand National victory with I Am Maximus, while State Man, El Fabiolo and Facile Vega were all multiple Grade One winners. Remarkably, he saddled all eight Grade One winners at the two-day Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown in 2024 on the way to landing his 18th domestic title. Kargese's Punchestown Festival win was his 39th Grade One winner of the season, surpassing his own world record of 34 set in 2016, and he became the most successful trainer in the history of Irish racing in terms of winners trained when Ballyburn won the Grade One novice hurdle at Punchestown on the Friday evening. It was the 4,378th winner trained by Mullins, surpassing Dermot Weld's current total of 4,377. 

  Just a week before landing the Irish title he won his first British jumps trainers' championship, becoming the first trainer based in Ireland to win the gong since Vincent O'Brien in 1954, thanks primarily to nine winners at the Cheltenham Festival and victories in the Aintree Grand National, the Scottish Grand National and the Sandown Gold Cup. Was crowned British Champion trainer for the second successive season in 2025 following a stellar final day's action at Sandown, with wins for Gaelic Warrior (Grade Two bet365 Oaksey Chase) and Il Etait Temps (Grade One bet 365 Celebration Chase) the highlights. The title challenge began at the Cheltenham Festival and really ignited when Nick Rockett led home a 1-2-3-5-7 for Mullins in the Randox Grand National, son Patrick riding the winner amidst highly emotional scenes. Landed domestic title number 19 shortly after with 200 winners, including 21 Grade Ones - nine of those coming at the Punchestown Festival, including a Ladrokes Punchestown Gold Cup with Galopin Des Champs and a Boodles Champion Hurdle with State Man.

  His first winner - which he partnered - was Silver Bachelor at Thurles in 1988; winner 1,000 was Viso at Naas 2007; winner 2,000 was Clondaw Court at Leopardstown in 2013; winner 3,000 was Timi Roli at Wexford 2018 and winner 4,000 was Bronn at Fairyhouse 2023. He has trained winners in seven countries, including the French Champion Hurdle (Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil) five times (Nobody Told Me 2003, Rule Supreme 2004, Thousand Stars 2011 and 2012, Benie Des Dieux 2019) and Japan's Nakayama Grand Jump with Blackstairmountain (2013). Tornado Flyer, ridden by nephew Danny Mullins, gave him a second success in the 2021 King George Vl Chase at Kempton.

  Other Aintree highlights were Annie Power (2016 Aintree Hurdle), Boston Bob (2014 Melling Chase), Min (2019 Melling Chase), Florida Pearl (2002 Betway Bowl), Kemboy (2019 Betway Bowl), It's Time For A Win (2002 Topham Chase), Cadmium (2019 Topham Chase), Livelovelaugh (2021 Topham Chase), Apple's Jade (2016 Anniversary 4-y-o Novices' Hurdle), Zenta (2023 Anniversary 4-y-o Novices' Hurdle), Nichols Canyon (2015 Mersey Novices' Hurdle), Yorkhill (2016 Mersey Novices' Hurdle), Douvan (2016 Maghull Novices' Chase), Gentleman De Mee (2022 Maghull Novices' Chase), Il Etait Temps (2024 Close Brothers Manifesto Novices' Chase), Impaire Et Passe (2024 William Hill Aintree Hurdle), Mystical Power (2024 Top Novices' Hurdle), Dancing City (2024 Sefton Novices' Hurdle), Impaire Et Passe (2025 Manifesto Novices' Chase), Murcia (2025 Anniversary 4-y-o Juvenile Hurdle), Gaelic Warrior (2025 Golden Miller Bowl Chase), Lossiemouth (2025 Aintree Hurdle), Salvator Mundi (2025 Top Novices' Hurdle), Gentleman De Mee (2025 Topham Handicap Chase). Yorkhill was also successful in Sandown's Tolworth Novices' Hurdle in 2016 and Gitane Du Berlais landed the Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at the same track in 2015.

  As if pushing back the boundaries in the winter game wasn't enough, he also successfully dipped his toe into the world of Flat racing. Significant wins have come at Royal Ascot (10 in total) with Simenon (who won twice in the space of four days in 2012), Pique Sous (2014), Clondaw Warrior (2015), Thomas Hobson (2017), Lagostovegas (2018), Stratium (2021 and 2022), Vauban (2023) and Belloccio (2024), three consecutive renewals of Newmarket's Cesarewitch with Low Sun (2018), Stratum (2019) and Great White Shark (2020), two Tote Ebors at York (Sesenta 2009 and Absurde 2023), a Lonsdale Cup success at York with Vauban (2024) and a Classic victory in the Irish St Leger (Wicklow Brave 2016). But it shouldn't come as a big surprise - his father saddled Hurry Harriet to win a Champion Stakes (beating the brilliant French filly Allez France) at Newmarket and an Irish Oaks with Vintage Tipple.

  Record-breaking son Patrick, assistant trainer to his father, was crowned Irish champion amateur rider for the 17th time in 2024. In 2012 his 74 winners in a calendar year beat Billy Parkinson's old mark of 72 set in 1915.

  In September 2016, Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown Stud withdrew all their horses from the yard in a dispute over training fees. Six years after probably one of the most high-profile break-ups in Irish racing history, the partnership (which combined for 17 Grade One victories) were back together again in 2022. 

  Brother Tony is a former champion jump jockey who enjoyed Group One success as a trainer with Princess Zoe in the Prix du Cadran in 2020 and a 2007 Cheltenham Festival winner with Pedrobob. Another brother, Tom, trained Alderwood to win twice at the Cheltenham Festival. Nephews Danny, multiple winner of Grade One races, and David (now retired), who won the Aintree Grand National on Rule The World, made their mark as professional jockeys. Another nephew, Emmet, saddled the winner of the Aintree Grand National with Noble Yeats in 2022.

MULLINS'S 113 FESTIVAL WINNERS

 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 (2025)

 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), Benies Des Dieux (2018), Lossiemouth (2024, 2025)

 Gallagher Novices' Hurdle (7): Fiveforthree (2008), Mikel 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): Vatour (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 (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)

 Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase (3): Colreevy (2021), Elimay (2022), Dinoblue (2025)

 Hunter Chase: Billaway (2022). 

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WILLIE MULLINS FACTFILE

  Trains: Closutton, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow.

  Born: September 15, 1956. Married to Jackie. One son Patrick, a champion amateur rider and assistant trainer to his father.

  Date of first licence: 1988.

  First winner: Silver Birch, Thurles, February 18, 1988. 1,000th winner: Viso, Naas, November 10, 2007. 2,000th winner: Clondaw Court, Leopardstown, December 26, 2013. 3,000th winner:Timi Roli, Wexford, June 6, 2018. 4,000th winner: Bronn, Fairyhouse, January 28, 2023.​

  Champion Jumps trainer in Ireland (19): Since the 2008-2009 season has been champion every year - a total of 19 times.

  Champion Jumps trainer in Britain (2): In 2024 he became the first trainer based in Ireland to be crowned champion since Vincent O'Brien landed back-to-back titles in 1952-53 and 1953-54. Crowned Champion again in 2025.

  Record number of winners in an Irish jumps season: 257 (2023-2024). Sent out a total of 39 Grade One winners, a world record, in the same season which also saw him becoming the winning-most Irish trainer of all-time.

   Aintree Grand National (3): Hedgehunter (2005), I Am Maximus (2024), Nick Rockett (2025).

  Irish Grand National (2): Burrows Saint (2019), I Am Maximus (2023).

  Leading trainer at the Cheltenham Festival (12): 2011 (4 winners); 2013 (5 winners); 2014 (4 winners); 2015 (8 winners); 2016 (7 winners); 2019 (4 winners); 2020 (7 winners); 2021 (6 winners); 2022 (10 winners); 2023 (6 winners); 2024 (9 winner); 2025 (10 winners).

  King George VI Chase (2): Florida Pearl (2001), Tornado Flyer (2021).

  Classic winner: Wicklow Brave, Irish St Leger, 2016.

  Major wins in Ireland: Irish Gold Cup (14): Florida Pearl (1999, 2000, 2001, 2004), Alexander Banquet (2002), Rule Supreme (2005), Kempes (2011), Quel Esprit (2012), Sir Des Champs (2013), Bellshill (2019), Kemboy (2021), Galopin Des Champs (2023, 2024, 2025); Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup (7): Florida Pearl (2002), Sir Des Champs (2013), Boston Bob (2014), Bellshill (2018), Kemboy (2019), Allaho (2022), Galopin Des Champs (2025); Irish Champion Hurdle (9): Hurricane Fly (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015), Faugheen (2016), State Man (2023, 2024, 2025); Boodles Champion Hurdle (10): Davenport Milenium (2002), Hurricane Fly (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013), Faugheen (2015), Vroum Vroum Mag (2016), Wicklow Brave (2017), State Man (2023, 2024, 2025); Punchestown Champion Chase (8): Micko's Dream (2001), Golden Silver (2010), Felix Yonger (2015), Un de Sceaux (2018, 2019), Chacun Pour Soi (2021), Energumene (2022, 2023); Champion Stayers Hurdle (10): Holy Orders (2003), Fiveforthree (2009), Quevega (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013), Faugheen (2018), Klassical Dream (2021, 2022, 2023); Champion INH Flat Race (13): Maringo (1995), Cousin Vinny (2008), Lovethehigherlaw (2011), Champagne Fever (2012), Shaneshill (2014), Bellshill (2015), Blow By Blow (2016), Tornado Flyer (2018), Colreevy (2019), Kilcruit (2021), Facile Vega (2022), Redemption Day (2024), Bambino Fever (2025); KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle (10): Hurricane Fly (2009), Blackstairmountain (2010), Faugheen (2014), Douvan (2015), Cilaos Emery (2017), Draconien (2018), Klassical Dream (2019), Echoes in Rain (2021), Facile Vega (2023), Mystical Power (2024), Irancy (2025); Barberstown Castle Novice Chase (12): Barker (2009), Arvika Ligeonniere (2013), Un de Sceaux (2015), Douvan (2016), Great Field (2017), Footpad (2018), Chacun Pour Soi (2019), Energumene (2021), Blue Lord (2022), El Fabiolo (2023), Il Etait Temps (2024), Majborough (2025); Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle (14): Davenport Milenium (2002), Nobody Told Me (2003), Sadlers Wings (2004), Glencove Marina (2007), Mikael d'Haguenet (2009), Un Atout (2013), Vautour (2014), Nichols Canyon (2015), Bacardys (2017), Gaillard Du Mesnil (2021), State Man (2022), Impaire Et Passe (2023), Ballyburn (2024), Final Demand (2025); Champion 4-Y-O Hurdle (11): Holy Order (2001), Quatre Heures (2006), Diakali (2013), Abbyssial (2014), Petite Parisienne (2015), Apple's Jade (2016), Bapaume (2017), Saldier (2018), Vauban (2022), Lossiemouth (2023), Kargese (2024); Channor Group Novice Hurdle (10): The Midnight Club (2009), Marasonnien (2012), Killultagh Vic (2015), Bellshill (2016), Next Destination (2018), Galopin Des Champs (2021), The Nice Guy (2022), Gaelic Warrior (2023), Dancing City (2024), Jasmin De Vaux (2025); Mares Champion Hurdle (10): Tarla (2010), Glens Melody (2013), Annie Power (2014, 2015), Whiteout (2016), Benie Des Dieux (2018, 2019), Stormy Ireland (2021), Echoes In Rain (2023), Lossiemouth (2024), Jade De Grugy (2025); Morgiana Hurdle (13): Padashpan (1993), Thousand Stars (2011), Hurricane Fly (2012, 2013, 2014), Nichols Canyon (2015, 2016), Faugheen (2017), Sharjah (2018, 2021), Saldier (2019), State Man (2022, 2023); Royal Bond Novice Hurdle (9): Alexander Banquet (1998), Hurricane Fly (2008), Zaidpour (2010), Sous les Cieux (2011), Nichols Canyon (2014), Long Dog (2015), Airlie Beach (2016), Quick Grabim (2018), Statuaire (2021); Drinmore Novice Chase (4): Alexander Banquet (1999), Arvika Ligeonniere (2012), Valseur Lido (2014), I Am Maximus (2023); Hatton’s Grace Hurdle (4): Hurricane Fly (2010), Zaidpour (2012), Arctic Fire (2015), Lossiemouth (2024); John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (10): Florida Pearl (2001), Arvika Ligeonniere (2013), Djakadam (2015, 2016), Min (2018, 2019, 2020), Allaho (2021), Galopin Des Champs (2022), Fact To File (2024); Racing Post Chase (9): Missed That (2005), Blackstairmountain (2011), Arvika Ligeonniere (2012), Douvan (2015), Min (2016), Footpad (2017), Franco De Port (2020), Ferny Hollow (2021), Saint Roi (2022); Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase (6): Golden Silver (2009), Twinlight (2014), Douvan (2016), Chacun Pour Soi (2020), Blue Lord (2022), Dinoblue (2023); Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle (7): Hurricane Fly (2008), Long Dog (2015), Saturnas (2016), Whiskey Sour (2017), Aramon (2018), Appreciate It (2020), Facile Vega (2022); Christmas Hurdle (4): Mourad (2010), Zaidpour (2013), Vroum Vroum Mag (2016), Klassical Dream (2021); Savills Chase (4): Don Poli (2015), Kemboy (2018), Galopin Des Champs (2023, 2024); December Festival Hurdle (11): Hurricane Fly (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014), Nichols Canyon (2015), Sharjah (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021), State Man (2022, 2023); Fort Leney Novice Chase (5): Back In Focus (2012), Don Poli (2014), Monkfish (2020), Gaillard Du Mesnil (2022), Grangeclare West (2023); Faugheen Novice Chase (8): Financial Reward (2008), Sir Des Champs (2011), The Paparrazi Kid (2013), Outlander (2015), Bellshill (2016), Faugheen (2019), Colreevy (2020), Gaelic Warrior (2023), Impaire Et Pass (2024); Slaney Novice Hurdle (9): Homer Wells (2005), Mikael D'haguenet (2009), Gagewell Flyer (2011), Briar Hill (2014), Mckinley (2015), Bellshill (2016), Next Destination (2018), Champ Kiely (2023), Readin Tommy Wrong (2024); Arkle Novice Chase (11): Assessed (2002), Missed That (2006), Golden Silver (2009), Un de Sceaux (2015), Douvan (2016), Footpad (2018), Energumene (2021), Blue Lord (2022), El Fabiolo (2023), Il Etait Temps (2024), Majborough (2025); Ladbrokes Dublin Chase (7): Min (2018, 2019), Chaucun Pour Soi (2020, 2021, 2022), Gentleman De Mee (2023), El Fabiolo (2024); Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle (10): Boston Bob (2012), Pont Alexandre (2013), Sure Reef (2014), Outlander (2015), A Toi Phil (2016), Let's Dance (2017), Gaillard Du Mesnil (2021), Minella Cocooner (2022), Dancing City (2024), Final Demand (2025); Spring Juvenile Hurdle (8): Mister Hight (2006) Petite Parisienne (2015), Footpad (2016), Mr Adjudicator (2018), Vauban (2022), Gala Marceau (2023), Kargese (2024); Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle (13): Alexander Banquet (1999), Champagne Fever (2013), Vautour (2014), Nichols Canyon (2015), Bleu Et Rouge (2016), Bacardys (2017), Klassical Dream (2019), Asterion Forlonge (2020), Appreciate It (2021), Sir Gerhard (2022), Il Etait Temps (2023), Ballyburn (2024). Kopek Des Bordes (2025); Ladbrokes Novice Chase (12): Florida Pearl (1998), J'y Vole (2008), Cooldine (2009), Citizen Vic (2010), Boston Bob (2013), Ballycasey (2014), Outlander (2016), Faugheen (2020), Monkfish (2021), Galopin Des Champs (2022), Fact To File (2024), Ballyburn (2025); Honeysuckle Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final (9): Nobody Told Me (2003), Annie Power (2013), Adriana Des Mottes (2014), Augusta Kate (2017), Laurina (2018), Brandy Love (2022), Ashroe Diamond (2023), Jade De Grugy (2024), Aurora Vega (2025); WillowWarm Gold Cup (6): Al Boum Photo (2018), Voix Du Reve (2019), Janidil (2021), Galopin Des Champs (2022), Flame Bearer (2023), Spindleberry (2025); Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase (6): Kempes (2010), Sir Des Champs (2012), Valseur Lido (2015), Colreevy (2021), Capodanno (2022), Champ Kiely (2025); Ladbroke Champion Chase (1): Florida Pearl (1999). Guinness Galway Hurdle Handicap (6): Mystical City (1996), Clondaw Warrior (2015), Sharjah (2018), Aramon (2020), Saldier (2021), Zarak The Brave (2023); Tote Galway Plate (2): Blazing Tempo (2011), Royal Rendezvous (2021). ​​​​​​​​

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COLM MURPHY

Born: Co Wexford, 1975

THE CO Wexford native, who saddled Brave Inca to land the 2006 Champion Hurdle, took the Irish racing scene by surprise when announcing his retirement in 2016 because of dwindling numbers and rising costs. Three years later he renewed the licence and enjoyed a fifth Cheltenham Festival success when Impervious battled bravely to a well-earned success in the 2023 Mares' Chase. The JP McManus-owned mare took her winning sequence over fences to five with a hugely impressive performance in the Francis Flood Mares Chase at the 2023 Punchestown Festival.

  A horse of a lifetime, Brave Inca won 10 Grade One races, including a win in the 2004 Supreme Novices' Hurdle and two victories in the Irish Champion Hurdle (2006 and 2009). Big Zeb was another exceptional stable star, winning six Grade One races. The best of them was by far the Queen Mother Champion Chase in 2010. Empire Of Dirt gave him his fourth Festival winner when landing the Brown Advisory Handicap Chase in 2016. Feathard Lady (2005 Grade One Stan James Christmas Hurdle), Voler La Vedette (2011 Hatton's Grace Hurdle) and Quito De La Roque (2011 Growise Champion Novice Chase and JNWine.com Champion Chase) were other Grade One scorers for him. Quito De La Roque also won the Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree in 2011.

  A former amateur, he joined Aidan O'Brien when the Ballydoyle legend was based at Piltown and spent six years riding work and doing the books in the office. Thanks to his father Pat (a former jockey), he completed his accountancy exams. He started training in 2000, based in a small village called Killenagh. His first winner was Anvil Lord at Cork in 2002.  In his autobiography Tony McCoy, who steered Brave Inca to that famous Champion Hurdle victory, describes him as 'a top trainer . . . with an innate understanding of horses.'

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AIDAN O'BRIEN

Born: Co Wexford, 1969

AFTER LAUNCHING his National Hunt career in the summer of 1993, Aidan Patrick O'Brien set a prize-money record in his first jumps season; became the first trainer in Ireland to win 100 races in his first year; the following year he set an Irish record of 178 winners (Flat and jumps combined) in a calendar year and amazingly broke it in 1995 with a staggering total of 242 winners. 

  Holds five jump trainers' titles and saddled Istabraq to win three Champion Hurdles. The gelding was also successful in the SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle (1997). Urubande was his first Cheltenham Festival scorer (1996 Sun Alliance). Also landed a Whitbread Gold Cup with Life Of A Lord (1996), the winner of back-to-back Galway Plates (1995 and 1996).

  His move to Ballydoyle - where his famous predecessor, Vincent O'Brien, ruled the roost for many years - in 1997 to concentrate exclusively on the Flat signalled the arrival of an exceptional talent that has already landed an incredible 87 European Classics as well as 16 Breeders' Cup wins in the US.

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MICHAEL O'BRIEN
Born 1943-2011

MICHAEL O'BRIEN'S successful riding career was brought to a cruel end in America when he suffered a serious spinal injury after a fall from Athenian Idol in the Carolina Cup in March 1974. But being confined to a wheelchair did not prevent him establishing a very successful career as a jumps trainer and his big-race record was formidable. Amongst his many achievements as a trainer, he won three Irish Grand Nationals with King Spruce (1982), Vanton (1992) and Glebe Lad (1999).
  He also sent out Shawiya (1993 Triumph Hurdle) and Kadoun (2006 Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle) to win at the Cheltenham Festival and enjoyed notable successes before that when Bright Highway won both the Mackeson and Hennessy Gold Cups in 1980.
  Other horses to have represented him with distinction were Knife Edge, Chorelli, Tacroy, Forget The Past (finished third in the 2006 Gold Cup), Shaihar, In Compliance and Essex, who followed up his 2005 win in the Pierse Hurdle with victory in Newbury's Totesport Trophy Hurdle. Dovaly opened his Galway Plate account in 2000.
  He retired in 2009 due to ill health, handing over the licence to his assistant and son-in-law Denis Cullen. His last runner was Daring Man (finished third) at Leopardstown on November 5th. He died in December 2011, aged 68. His brother, New York-based trainer Leo, sent Fourstars Allstar to the Curragh to land the Irish 2,000 Guineas in 1991.

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VINCENT O'BRIEN
Born Co Cork, 1917

MICHAEL VINCENT O'Brien's achievements over jumps are unique and he is still the only trainer to win three consecutive Grand Nationals (Early Mist 1953, Royal Tan 1954 and Quare Times 1955). He also trained the winners of three Champion Hurdles (Hatton's Grace 1949, 1950, 1951) and four Cheltenham Gold Cups (Cottage Rake 1948, 1949, 1950 and Knock Hard 1953). 
  His exploits at the Cheltenham Festival were nothing short of phenomenal where he saddled 23 winners and landed many famous gambles. 
  After dispersing his jumpers in 1959, he went on to become Flat racing's greatest trainer until the emergence of Aidan O'Brien, landing no fewer than 44 European Classics. 
 

O'BRIEN'S 23 FESTIVAL WINNERS
 1948 Cottage Rake (Gold Cup)
 1949 Cotage Rake (Gold Cup); Hatton's Grace (Champion Hurdle); Castledermot (National Hunt Chase)
 1950 Cottage Rake (Gold Cup); Hatton's Grace (Champion Hurdle)
 1951 Hatton's Grace (Champion Hurdle)
 1952 Cockatoo (Gloucestershire Hurdle); Royal Tan (Ritz Club Chase)
 1953 Knock Hard (Gold Cup)
 1954 Stroller (Gloucestershire Hurdle); Quare Times (National Hunt Chase); Lucky Dome (Spa Hurdle)
 1955 Vindore (Div 1 Gloucestershire Hurdle); Illyric (Div 2 Gloucestershire Hurdle); Ahaburn (Birdlip Hurdle)
 1956 Boy's Hurrah (Div 1 Gloucestershire Hurdle); Pelargos (Div 2 Gloucestershire Hurdle); Stroller (Spa Hurdle)
 1957 Saffron Tartan (Gloucestershire Hurdle)
 1958 Admiral Stuart (Div 1 Gloucestershire Hurdle); Prudent King (Div 2 Gloucestershire Hurdle)
 1959 York Fair (Gloucestershire Hurdle).​​