The legendary coach of horse races Willie Mullins was melted in tears after watching his son go up to Nick Rockett for an emotional triumph of the Grand National in Aintree.
The amateur jockey Patrick Mullins and his shot 33-1 turned out to be too strong for the reigning champion, I am Maximus and won by two and a half lengths.
Incredibly, the result meant that Patrick’s father obtained a clean scanning of podium spots in the emblematic steeple, while another of his horses also finished fifth.
Shortly after the dramatic centerpiece, an emotional mullins delivered a live interview with ITV, but was barely gathering its words before choking.
“It was a result,” said Mullins, 68.
But he then seemed to choke during his camera, the head presenter Matt Chapman to place his arm around him and tell him to “take a moment”.
Chapman quickly decided to put an end to the early interview, allowing Mullins more time to compose after its amazing realization.
Mullins returned later and praised the victory of his son, who came against the chances.
“This is the summit for me,” he said. “I don’t think something could be better than that. I never thought it would happen, and we are there.
“It seems that the British championship is on the move again. I think we will have to have a real blow now. To put your son on a big national winner … what a special day for him, as a jockey and as a person. To win a large national as a trainer – WOW.
“For the two to combine – I can’t explain it. I cannot understand it.
Nick Rockett officially belongs to Stewart and Sadie Andrew, but only the first was present in Aintree after the death of his wife in December 2022.
Mullins was able to ensure that horse fighting was in good shape for its beginnings the same month, only five days before Sadie tragically lost her battle against cancer.
Addressing ITV, Stewart said: “By such sadness, joy was born.
“Nick Rockett did everything for me.
Patrick Mullins, 35, admitted that he had realized his childhood dream by winning the Grand National. He said: “It’s just incredible.
“He jumped fantastic and I was there too early. It was far from the back of the last, but that’s all that I’ve dreamed since I’ve been a child.
“It seems a cliché, but when I was five, I read books on the National and watching videos of Red Rum. Putting my name among them is incredible.
“He’s just a brilliant horse. It is not very big but it is a great ride.