MONEY and not personalities was the reason why Gigginstown House Stud removed 60 horses from trainer Willie Mullins last October.

In an interview to be broadcast on RTE Radio 1’s Countrywide programme on Saturday (8am-9am), Michael O’Leary told presenter Damien O’Reilly the background to the decision.

“Willie Mullins is a brilliant trainer. He runs his business and I run mine. He put his fees up 10% and I said no. Willie said ‘take your horses away’.

“I think he respects my position and we never had a falling out - his son Patrick rode a winner for us recently. He is a great trainer and I hope to have horses with him again in the future. But I run a big operation and if I agree to pay one trainer 10% extra I will have all the others putting up the fees.

“You could say that I am an irresistible force and Willie is an immovable object. When they meet you don’t reach an agreement. Willie is a gentleman. These things happen in business. It’s never personal. It’s usually about something as simple as money.”

GRAND NATIONAL

Gigginstown run five horses in Saturday’s Aintree Grand National but the quintet does not include Don Poli, Empire Of Dirt or Outlander, all of whom were deemed by O’Leary to have been unfairly treated by the British handicappers.

O’Leary explained: “In recent years the handicapper has said ‘if you enter your best horses we will reduce their weight by 3lb-5lb to give them a chance. We entered our best and he put them up! Fortunately the best horses have other options - they can go to other Aintree races, the Irish National or Punchestown. We’re keeping plenty back for the Irish National at Fairyhouse which has been boosted significantly this year.”

Leo Powell will be a guest from Aintree on RTE Radio 1’s Countrywide between 8am and 9am on Saturday