DOES Willie Mullins know something that others do not? In one area of the business he is an unquestionably dominant force, namely when it comes to training fillies and mares. In the most recent National Hunt season in Ireland 42 blacktype races over jumps were won by fillies and mares, and exactly 50% of them were won by a runner from Closutton.
Additionally, Eglantine Du Seuil won the Grade 2 National Hunt Breeders Supported by Tattersalls Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
These winners follow an even more extensive listing of winning mares and fillies handled by Willie Mullins, and in this decade alone the top-level winners include Adriana Des Mottes, Airlie Beach, Annie Power, Apple’s Jade, Augusta Kate, Blazing Tempo, Gitane Du Berlais, Glens Melody, Laurina, Petite Parisienne, Quevega, Relegate, Vroum Vroum Mag and Whiteout.
What a collection of names and racemares.
Two significant facts about the list of winners below is that five fillies or mares won seven Grade 1 races, all but two of them in open company, beating geldings, while the average fields for these 42 blacktype races was nine.
On the attached list, Gordon Elliott’s second-place finish on five wins was largely attributed to the successes of Apple’s Jade, while Honeysuckle’s three wins were a major contributor to Henry de Bromhead’s four. Peter Fahey with three wins and Denis Hogan on two were the only other trainers to have more than one blacktype winner.
Ireland has to settle for second place on the list with 15 wins, three behind the French-breds while comfortably ahead of nine British-bred wins. With incentives to put fillies in training, including the ITBA’s scheme and an enhanced race programme for fillies, hopefully Irish-breds will ascend to the top spot soon.
Gigginstown had one blacktype winning mare in Ireland over jumps, Apple’s Jade giving them four wins. This was one behind both Susannah Ricci and Kenny Alexander.
JP McManus, Sullivan Bloodstock and Supreme Horse Racing Club, in partnership with Brett Graham, all recorded three victories.
The most successful blacktype fillies and mares were Apple’s Jade and Camelia De Cotte with four wins each, followed by Honeysuckle and Robin De Carlow on three apiece. Stormy Ireland, Good Thyne Tara, Gypsy Island and Moyhenna all doubled up. Finally, in win prizemoney alone these 42 victories amassed €1.43 million (average per win of €34,079) for their owners with these successes alone. The few who were sold as stores averaged €35,500, showing that they can sell well, and perform just as well. They also have a further value as breeding prospects.
Oh yes, the first listed race of the new season for mares was run at Killarney this week and the winning trainer was? You guessed it – W.P.Mullins.
Breeders, stallion masters and readers are invited to contact Leo Powell at leopowell@theirishfield.ie with news and updates for the column, and to visit our website www.theirishfield.ie for daily news