Cheltenham Festival 202412 – 15 March 2024

Willie Mullins

William Peter Mullins (born 15 September 1956) is an Irish racehorse trainer and former jockey.

Career

He commenced racehorse training in 1988 having previously worked as an assistant to his father Paddy Mullins and Jim Bolger. Willie is a former six times amateur champion jockey in Ireland, winning the 1983 Aintree Fox Hunters’ Chase on Atha Cliath and the 1996 Cheltenham Bumper on Wither Or Which.

He is the trainer of the 2005 Grand National winner Hedgehunter and the 2011 and 2013 Champion Hurdle winner Hurricane Fly and trained the horse, Vautour in the 2016 Ryanair Chase. He is also trainer of the six times David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle champion, Quevega. In the 2015 Cheltenham Festival Willie Mullins trained 8 winners which is a joint record at the Cheltenham Festival that Gordon Elliott equalled in 2018. He is the leading most winning trainer at the Cheltenham festival and was awarded in their prestigious hall of fame.

Mullins’ long lasting relationship with Gigginstown House Stud came to an end on 28 September 2016. Despite this he was the Irish Champion trainer in the 2016/17 season.

Personal life

Mullins is from Goresbridge, County Kilkenny, but is based at Closutton, Muine Bheag, County Carlow, Ireland. He has a son, Patrick Mullins, who is currently an amateur jockey riding mainly in Ireland for his father. Patrick is also an assistant trainer to his father. Willie’s wife, Jackie, was a successful amateur rider.

Cheltenham winners (78)

Mullins is the most successful trainer in the history of the Cheltenham Festival, with 78 winners.

Other major wins

Ireland


Saudia Arabia


Australia

Great Britain


France


Japan

Major wins as a jockey

Ireland

Great Britain