With a lead now surpassing £150,000, Willie Mullins is on the cusp of the incredible in winning the British Trainers’ Championship from his base in Ireland. Numerous big race winners have contributed, but here are his top five earners who have taken him to the brink.
I Am Maximus – £500,000
The Grand National is by far the richest race in the British jumps calendar, awarding half a million to the lucky winner. I Am Maximus, though, proved fortune is no longer a necessity in the world’s most famous steeplechase. He was simply the best horse for the occasion, well-treated by the handicapper, and superbly ridden by Paul Townend to pull clear for a 7½-length triumph.
Galopin Des Champs – £352,729
Another who has only needed to race once on these shores to make the most telling of contributions (to the tune of £352,729 to be exact). While I Am Maximus’ handicap victory in the Grand National came within an open contest subject to its yearly grand debate, the Cheltenham Gold Cup represented judgement day for Galopin Des Champs. He duly passed every test thrown at him, striding away for a second success in the Festival’s blue riband and establish himself as one of the greats of the game.
State Man – £262,304
The theme of “one race, one win” continues with State Man who only had to suffer a ferry journey once in order to add his name to this list. Although his fame and fortune almost entirely resides in Ireland, he has now won more Grade 1s than Constitution Hill has victories altogether, with his Champion Hurdle success in March earning him more than £250,000. That places him sixth on the money list in Great Britain this season even for one of his more workmanlike successes.
Impaire Et Passe – £185,885
Neither of the bottom two in this list are in the top 20 for earnings in Britain this season, but when you have the top two, and three of the first half dozen, it means much less. Nevertheless, without Impaire Et Passe’s dramatic victory in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle, Mullins would be nearly £90,000 worse off, assuming he finished second instead. The Trainers’ Championship would be far more up for grabs without it.
Lossiemouth – £138,770
The only member of this quintet to contribute on more than one occasion, Lossiemouth won both the Grade 2 International Hurdle on Trials Day, worth over £71,000 to the winner, plus the Grade 1 Mares’ Hurdle in sumptuous fashion at the Festival. That victory was actually worth slightly less than for taking on the boys, but it nevertheless took her earnings in England to £138,770, without which Mullins would be just £40,000 ahead of Dan Skelton.
Willie Mullins Top 5 – The Best Closutton Horses of All Time
Willie Mullins is on the precipice of the remarkable feat of winning the British Trainers’ title despite being based in Ireland. His extraordinary wealth of success this season can be extrapolated through generations of his runners, and we have selected our top five below. 5. Florida Pearl From the early generation of Willie Mullins’ climb…
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