THE Shunter’s victory in the two and a quarter mile Cesarewitch at Newmarket on Saturday was yet another outstanding training performance by Emmet Mullins.

The 10-year-old gelded son of Stowaway (Slip Anchor) was winning for just the second time on the flat, adding more than £100,000 to what he had earned last year when landing a Sligo maiden over 13 furlongs. These have been the only two wins for The Shunter when carrying the colours of JP McManus, and he was purchased from Paul Byrne after he won the Grade 3 Paddy Power Plate Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival two years ago.

On his first start for McManus, The Shunter was runner-up at Aintree in the Grade 1 Manifesto Novices’ Chase, and he was then beaten a length when third at Punchestown and ran fourth in the Galway Plate to Royal Rendezvous. After a few disappointing outings, he got his confidence back with the Sligo win, and he has been knocking on the door on the flat, over hurdles and fences since.

Bred by James O’Connor, The Shunter is the only runner to date for his dam Tornado Lady (Gulland). She was placed in a point-to-point and her fourth produce, a yearling colt by Affinisea (Sea The Stars), was sold last year for €40,000 at Fairyhouse to Stroud Coleman Bloodstock. In addition to the victories mentioned already, The Shunter’s three wins over hurdles include the competitive Grade 3 Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Tornado Lady is a daughter of the unraced Rockababy (King’s Ride), and that mare’s five winners are headed by her full-brother. Sumkindasuprstar (Gulland) took some time from winning his point-to-point to adding three chase wins, but they included the Grade 2 Webster Cup at Navan. His half-brother, Florida Express (Florida Son), won a listed chase at Cork.

Cheltenham

The Shunter is not the only Cheltenham winner in the family. Rockababy’s half-brother D’Argent (Roselier) beat the joint-favourites New Alco and My Will be two short heads to win a listed chase there, and stepped up a level when he added the Grade 3 Classic Chase at Warwick to his career tally of seven wins.

What a success Ronnie O’Neill made of the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes winner Stowaway. Often the busiest stallion in Ireland and Britain, his list of top-class winners is as long as your arm. For reasons of space, I will just mention that his sons and daughters who won at Grade 1 level under National Hunt rules are Kilcruit, Fury Road, Fiddlerontheroof, Monkfish, Put The Kettle On, Champagne Classic, The Worlds End, Outlander and Champagne Fever.