Willie Mullins becomes the first Irishman to be crowned jump training champion in 70 YEARS – after El Fabiolo made sure of his triumph by finishing second in the Celebration Chase
- Willie Mullins became Ireland’s first champion jump coach since 1954
- His horses won £162,260 at Sandown, giving him an overall total of £3,278,431.
- El Fabiolo sealed the triumph before Minella Cocooner put the veil on a big day
Willie Mullins was overcome with emotion after an incredible final afternoon of the season confirmed him as Britain’s new Champion Jumps Trainer.
It was always going to be an uphill task for Dan Skelton and Paul Nicholls to catch the 67-year-old, but they floundered after Mullins bagged two winners at Sandown, including a thrilling Minella Cocooner success in the historic Bet365 Gold Cup. .
His triumph, the first by an Irishman since Vincent O’Brien in 1954, was assured when El Fabiolo pocketed £30,413 for finishing second to Jonbon in the Celebration Chase, giving him an unassailable lead. But how he ensured this in the races that followed.
Minella Cocooner, under the powerful guidance of her nephew Danny, put the shine on the triumph before Impare Et Passe ran away with the Select Hurdle. In total, his horses won £162,260, giving him a grand total of £3,278,431.
What makes this figure so extraordinary is that at the turn of the year, Mullins’ only success among 12 British runners was Baby Kate at Cheltenham last November. His ambition now is to emulate O’Brien, who won this crown twice. Given the firepower his site has at his disposal, this is a far from fanciful notion.
Willie Mullins was overcome with emotion after becoming the first Irish trainer to win the British Jumping Coaches Championship since 1954.
El Fabiolo came second in the Celebration Chase to seal his title triumph (pictured from the Dublin Chase in February)
“It’s just very special. It’s on par with anything I’ve achieved,” Mullins said.
“It’s just very special,” Mullins said. “It’s on par with everything I’ve achieved. Winning both championships in one season wasn’t even something we dreamed of doing until we came close a few years ago (in 2016).
“For Danny, riding Minella Cocooner was special. This is our super submarine. He did it for us at Ayr last week in the Scottish National and he did it again. He landed two superb jumps over the last two obstacles. Vincent O’Brien was the legend Game. To do something he did is extraordinary.
Minella Cocooner (right) won the Bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase to close the day
