The Domination of Mullins & Co

Euronymous said:
He didn't dominate Cheltenham and that's the one that matters. His rivals haven't the fire power and HdB in particular clearly got all his horses at their peak for March hence his lack of success at both the DRF and this week.
Click to expand...

Top trainer at the festival again this year, that's 7 of the last 9 - that's dominaton in anyones language.
 
Henry won the Champion Hurdle, the QM and the Gold Cup. Willie won a lot of who gives a **** handicaps. He was not dominant
 
What Mullins is doing is far more impressive and sustainable - to be top trainer at all three of the big festivals is phenomenal. He has literally 'peaked' for the best part of 3 months.
 
By any sensible measure, he was not the top trainer at Cheltenham. If anything, he had a disappointing festival

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Euronymous said:
Henry won the Champion Hurdle, the QM and the Gold Cup. Willie won a lot of who gives a **** handicaps. He was not dominant
Click to expand...

He only won one handicap fwiw! And I would say that every single trainer - particularly the home trainers would have been thrilled to win a **** handicap
 
The Mullins clan are only interested in winners but, if they have to choose, they'll look at domestic records every time. Patrick could have turned professional for Cheltenham but the lure of another Irish title and records that will stand for years was too great.
 
Willie doesnt have to be at his best to be top trainer in Ireland between buying power, stable zize and staffing

Henry on the other hand has to maximise every grain of ability from his string and has done a job this year that no-one will ever replicate
 
Willie's buying power is nothing special but his contacts are.

At the last count, Willie had had 616 runners in Ireland this NH season and Henry 657.

Henry is a fine trainer who has had a marvellous Cheltenham. Willie is a fine trainer who is having a marvellous Punchestown.
 
Due to Covid, I had plently of time on my hands over Christmas and the new year, and I got thinking about the best horses Willie has trained. I tried listing his best 100 national hunt horses and the list below is what I came up with.
Among those to just miss out are grade 1 winning novice hurdlers Un Atout, Long Dog, Pont Alexandre and Airlie Beach, the Scilly Isles winner Gitane de Berlais, and the stalwart handicap chasers, Scotsirish, Acepella Bourgeois and Brahma Bull.
I tried to rank the Gigginstown horses soley on what they achieved when resident in Closutton, otherwise Apples Jade would be higher than her position in this list.

[TABLE="width: 237"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]1
[/TD]
[TD]Hurricane Fly
[/TD]
[TD]2004
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2
[/TD]
[TD]Faugheen
[/TD]
[TD]2008
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]3
[/TD]
[TD]Vautour
[/TD]
[TD]2009
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]4
[/TD]
[TD]Douvan
[/TD]
[TD]2010
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]5
[/TD]
[TD]Al Boum Photo
[/TD]
[TD]2012
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]6
[/TD]
[TD]Un des Sceaux
[/TD]
[TD]2008
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]7
[/TD]
[TD]Florida Pearl
[/TD]
[TD]1992
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]8
[/TD]
[TD]Annie Power
[/TD]
[TD]2008
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]9
[/TD]
[TD]Min
[/TD]
[TD]2011
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]10
[/TD]
[TD]Klassical Dream
[/TD]
[TD]2014
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]11
[/TD]
[TD]Nichols Canyon
[/TD]
[TD]2010
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]12
[/TD]
[TD]Djakadam
[/TD]
[TD]2009
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]13
[/TD]
[TD]Kemboy
[/TD]
[TD]2012
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]14
[/TD]
[TD]Allaho
[/TD]
[TD]2014
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]15
[/TD]
[TD]Chacun Pour Soi
[/TD]
[TD]2012
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]16
[/TD]
[TD]Energumeme
[/TD]
[TD]2014
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]17
[/TD]
[TD]Melon
[/TD]
[TD]2012
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]18
[/TD]
[TD]Bellshill
[/TD]
[TD]2010
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]19
[/TD]
[TD]Footpad
[/TD]
[TD]2012
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]20
[/TD]
[TD]Sir des Champs
[/TD]
[TD]2006
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]21
[/TD]
[TD]Thousand Stars
[/TD]
[TD]2004
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]22
[/TD]
[TD]Appreciate It
[/TD]
[TD]2014
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]23
[/TD]
[TD]Quevega
[/TD]
[TD]2004
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]24
[/TD]
[TD]Sharjah
[/TD]
[TD]2013
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]25
[/TD]
[TD]Hedgehunter
[/TD]
[TD]1996
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]26
[/TD]
[TD]Arctic Fire
[/TD]
[TD]2009
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]27
[/TD]
[TD]Don Poli
[/TD]
[TD]2009
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]28
[/TD]
[TD]Rule Supreme
[/TD]
[TD]1996
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]29
[/TD]
[TD]Fiveforthree
[/TD]
[TD]2002
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]30
[/TD]
[TD]Alexander Banquet
[/TD]
[TD]1993
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]31
[/TD]
[TD]Penhill
[/TD]
[TD]2011
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]32
[/TD]
[TD]Wicklow Brave
[/TD]
[TD]2009
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]33
[/TD]
[TD]Monkfish
[/TD]
[TD]2014
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]34
[/TD]
[TD]Golden Silver
[/TD]
[TD]2002
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]35
[/TD]
[TD]Killultagh Vic
[/TD]
[TD]2009
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]36
[/TD]
[TD]Champagne Fever
[/TD]
[TD]2007
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]37
[/TD]
[TD]Arvika Legionere
[/TD]
[TD]2005
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]38
[/TD]
[TD]Boston Bob
[/TD]
[TD]2005
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]39
[/TD]
[TD]Yorkhill
[/TD]
[TD]2010
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]40
[/TD]
[TD]Tornado Flyer
[/TD]
[TD]2013
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]41
[/TD]
[TD]Asterior Forlonge
[/TD]
[TD]2014
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]42
[/TD]
[TD]On His Own
[/TD]
[TD]2004
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]43
[/TD]
[TD]Ferny Hollow
[/TD]
[TD]2015
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]44
[/TD]
[TD]Galopin des Champs
[/TD]
[TD]2016
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]45
[/TD]
[TD]Apples Jade
[/TD]
[TD]2012
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]46
[/TD]
[TD]Vroum Vroum Mag
[/TD]
[TD]2009
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]47
[/TD]
[TD]Benie des Dieux
[/TD]
[TD]2011
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]48
[/TD]
[TD]Zaidpour
[/TD]
[TD]2006
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]49
[/TD]
[TD]Aramon
[/TD]
[TD]2013
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]50
[/TD]
[TD]Saldier
[/TD]
[TD]2014
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]51
[/TD]
[TD]Valseur Lido
[/TD]
[TD]2009
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]52
[/TD]
[TD]Black Hercules
[/TD]
[TD]2009
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]53
[/TD]
[TD]Janidil
[/TD]
[TD]2014
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]54
[/TD]
[TD]Shaneshill
[/TD]
[TD]2009
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]55
[/TD]
[TD]Real Steel
[/TD]
[TD]2008
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]56
[/TD]
[TD]Felix Younger
[/TD]
[TD]2006
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]57
[/TD]
[TD]Kempes
[/TD]
[TD]2003
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]58
[/TD]
[TD]Saint Roi
[/TD]
[TD]2015
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]59
[/TD]
[TD]Cilaos Emery
[/TD]
[TD]2012
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]60
[/TD]
[TD]Twinlight
[/TD]
[TD]2007
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]61
[/TD]
[TD]Snowy Morning
[/TD]
[TD]2000
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]62
[/TD]
[TD]Bacardys
[/TD]
[TD]2011
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]63
[/TD]
[TD]Laurina
[/TD]
[TD]2013
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]64
[/TD]
[TD]Bapaume
[/TD]
[TD]2013
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]65
[/TD]
[TD]Outlander
[/TD]
[TD]2008
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]66
[/TD]
[TD]Colreevy
[/TD]
[TD]2013
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]67
[/TD]
[TD]Blackstairmountain
[/TD]
[TD]2005
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]68
[/TD]
[TD]Mikael d'Hagunet
[/TD]
[TD]2004
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]69
[/TD]
[TD]Cooldine
[/TD]
[TD]2002
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]70
[/TD]
[TD]Diakali
[/TD]
[TD]2009
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]71
[/TD]
[TD]So Young
[/TD]
[TD]2006
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]72
[/TD]
[TD]Royal Rendezvous
[/TD]
[TD]2012
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]73
[/TD]
[TD]Ballycasey
[/TD]
[TD]2007
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]74
[/TD]
[TD]Easy Game
[/TD]
[TD]2014
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]75
[/TD]
[TD]Davenport Milenium
[/TD]
[TD]1996
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]76
[/TD]
[TD]Ebaziyan
[/TD]
[TD]2001
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]77
[/TD]
[TD]Mr Adjudicator
[/TD]
[TD]2014
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]78
[/TD]
[TD]Invitation Only
[/TD]
[TD]2011
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]79
[/TD]
[TD]Castlebawn West
[/TD]
[TD]2013
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]80
[/TD]
[TD]Rathvinden
[/TD]
[TD]2008
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]81
[/TD]
[TD]Briar Hill
[/TD]
[TD]2008
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]82
[/TD]
[TD]Bachasson
[/TD]
[TD]2011
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]83
[/TD]
[TD]Total Recall
[/TD]
[TD]2009
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]84
[/TD]
[TD]Stormy Ireland
[/TD]
[TD]2014
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]85
[/TD]
[TD]Cousin Vinny
[/TD]
[TD]2003
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]86
[/TD]
[TD]Cadmium
[/TD]
[TD]2012
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]87
[/TD]
[TD]Burrows Saint
[/TD]
[TD]2013
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]88
[/TD]
[TD]Duc des Genivres
[/TD]
[TD]2013
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]89
[/TD]
[TD]Sadler's Wings
[/TD]
[TD]1998
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]90
[/TD]
[TD]Quel Esprit
[/TD]
[TD]2004
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]91
[/TD]
[TD]Glencove Marina
[/TD]
[TD]2002
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]92
[/TD]
[TD]Micko's Dream
[/TD]
[TD]1992
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]93
[/TD]
[TD]Wither or Which
[/TD]
[TD]1991
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]94
[/TD]
[TD]Glens Melody
[/TD]
[TD]2008
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]95
[/TD]
[TD]Concertista
[/TD]
[TD]2014
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]96
[/TD]
[TD]Pleasant Company
[/TD]
[TD]2008
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]97
[/TD]
[TD]Tourist Attraction
[/TD]
[TD]1989
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]98
[/TD]
[TD]Barker
[/TD]
[TD]2001
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]99
[/TD]
[TD]Avant Tout
[/TD]
[TD]2010
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]100
[/TD]
[TD]Citizen Vic
[/TD]
[TD]2003
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

Any thoughts?
 
Christ! Some labour of love that CL!

Nothing immediately springs to mind as a miss. Hope the Rona hasn’t floored you too much.
 
Last edited:
Timeform said Douvan was the best horse he ever trained just a couple of weeks ago.

He may well have been but Hurricane Fly has the numbers saying differently.

A horse I would have a bit higher was Bellshill purely on the fact he almost won the Irish Grand National giving away up to 2 stone to his rivals.
He finished 3rd but was placed 5th but it was an amzing performance all the same.
 
Missed That was another one unfortunately cut down before his potential was reached. Not sure who he would replace.
 
Wicklow Brave should be higher as he went places ten really really good horses collectively would have trouble going.
Amazing a few years ago Timeform did WPMs top 20 and Hurricane Fly did not feature.
Go figure.
Mikael d'Hagunet another that with a little luck on his side would have been much higher.
His debut chase fall in Grade 1 at Fairyhouse was the ruination of his career; the freeze up forced WPM's hand and the poor horse was never the same after.
But for Vautour's untimely demise he could have topped the list.
Great Work Eamonn.
 
Last edited:
Fair play to you man, thats quite the task to take on. I was asked recently for his top 5 and after a lot of hair pulling and frustration I actually had 4 of your top five - ABP has never quite dobe it for me!

At a quick glance I think if not only for longevity, consisteny and relaibility then I would have Quevega higher up - for example Nichols Canyon is 12 places higher.
 
What amazes me about the list is where on earth did they all go.

Douvan was heading for immotality one minute and was gone the next Vautour lost through injury 9 of the first 15 gone without a trace.

It just goes to show how hard a game NH racing is.
 
Beef or Salmon said:
At a quick glance I think if not only for longevity, consisteny and relaibility then I would have Quevega higher up - for example Nichols Canyon is 12 places higher.
Click to expand...

On reflection, you're probably right about that. To be honest, I found it hard to pick where to slot the mares in. Vroum Vroum Mag and Benie des Dieux could also arguably be higher than where I placed them.
 
HawkWing said:
Perhaps some of his oldies like Adamant Approach might end up there.
Click to expand...

I had him on the original long list of about 120 but as I don't think that he ever won a graded race and his peak rating was around 150 he missed out. Had he not fallen in the supreme he would almost certainly have made the final list.

Thinking about it though, his longevity and number of wins maybe should have carried more weight with me.
 
As well as Wicklow Brave being higher, the likes of True Self, Max Dynamite and Sesenta might have a case for inclusion. Quite a list though.
 
Grey said:
As well as Wicklow Brave being higher, the likes of True Self, Max Dynamite and Sesenta might have a case for inclusion. Quite a list though.
Click to expand...

I deliberately didn't didn't include those three or Thomas Hobson as I was strugggling to place their flat successes in relation to the national hunt winners. Wicklow Brave's position on the list was soley due to his hurdling career.
 
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