A TRULY momentous season-long battle for the trainer’s championship concluded with a 10th successive title for Willie Mullins last Saturday.

The reigning champion had €400,000 to find on Gordon Elliott heading into the last five days of the season and the battle between the pair ebbed and flowed throughout the week.

However, Friday’s Grade 1 double, which Mullins achieved with his son Patrick, was crucial and that pushed him ahead for the first time since the autumn.

Elliott did hit back with a Grade 1 victory on the final day but Mullins then claimed the last two €100,000 prizes of the week to ensure that he retained his crown.

“It’s fantastic and it’s been a huge effort by all the team and the great support of our owners,” reflected Mullins.

“To be honest I didn’t think it was possible and then a couple of those photos went against us early in the week but it all came together in the last couple of days. On Friday I was just delighted for Patrick to win those two Grade 1s and the fact that we got in front for the first time this year was a bonus.”

At times it has been a decidedly trying season for Mullins who lost 60 Gigginstown House Stud-owned horses in the autumn and this was followed by the loss of Vautour and injuries to the likes of Faugheen, Annie Power and Min, all of which makes the retention of this title all the more meritorious.

“I’m delighted to have won but it’s been a funny season and not that enjoyable. I’m glad it’s over,” he reflected.

The trainer also paid generous tribute to Gordon Elliott whose 193 winners for the season is a record-equalling tally.

“Gordon is a great competitor and he has been magnificent and a gentleman at all stages,” added.

For Elliott there was disappointment but he can still reflect on what was by some distance the finest season of his already remarkable career.

“It’s a little heartbreaking I suppose but we have had a great season and to get to 193 winners and equal Willie’s record for winners in a season was something I hoped we could do today,” stated Elliott.

“We’ve given it our best shot and I’m just very proud of all the team and all the owners who have supported us throughout the year.”

See Page A45 for final tables

Walsh takes no 12

RUBY Walsh’s 131 winners saw him crowned champion rider for an unprecedented 12th time, while Gigginstown House Stud were leading owners for the fifth time.

First for Codd

JAMIE Codd secured a first champion amateur’s title following his own tremendous battle with Patrick Mullins. Codd fired in three victories earlier this week to move five clear of Mullins but the last-named clawed the deficit back to just one by the final race of the season.

Blackmore supreme

EASILY one of the stories of the season was that of Rachael Blackmore who took the conditional rider’s championship just over two years after she took the bold decision to join the professional ranks. Her 32 wins ensured that she became the first female jockey to secure this accolade and she did so in some style.

Kavanagh tribute

HORSE Racing Ireland Chief Executive, Brian Kavanagh, said: “This season has been memorable for so many reasons and the battles between Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott and Patrick Mullins and Jamie Codd have been well fought. I would like to congratulate all our National Hunt champions and pay special tribute to Rachael Blackmore on her achievements over the course of the season.”

Figures smashed

PUNCHESTOWN saw the biggest attendance ever on any one day at the track on Saturday at 34,370, up 8,119 on 2016.

In total, over the five days it was the largest ever recorded attendance at the Punchestown Festival – 122,557.