WHAT do the following Willie Mullins-trained horses have in common: Al Boum Photo, Galopin Des Champs, Energumene, Allaho and Quevega?

They were all repeat winners of Cheltenham Festival races. Quevega did it six times, of course. The vast majority of Mullins’ Cheltenham winners were not eligible to win the same race two years running, but getting horses back to where they won before is one of the champion trainer’s defining abilities. Closer to home, think Florida Pearl, Hurricane Fly and even Min, who won three Durkan Chases.

So it seems very likely Mullins will gear Ethical Diamond’s 2026 campaign around a return to the US for the Breeders’ Cup, which takes place at Keeneland at the end of October. The turf track there will suit him and, while fast ground would be ideal, it’s fair to say he will likely handle rain a bit better than most.

Potential opposition? Calandagan will presumably go for another Japan Cup and Daryz will aim to bow out with another Arc win. Japan have never targeted the race (presumably too close to the Japan Cup).

Maybe Godolphin or Ballydoyle will produce a three-year-old world-beater in 2026 (Aidan O’Brien has won the Turf three times with a three-year-old) but the Breeders’ Cup will be an afterthought for those horses, if indeed they emerge. And as for the home team, well the Americans have only won the Breeders’ Cup Turf once in the past 11 years.

Taking all that into account, what price is Ethical Diamond for a repeat? I think the 20/1 offered by Ladbrokes is fair. In fact, the 20/1 is for Mullins to train any winner at the 2026 Breeders’ Cup so, who knows, even if Ethical Diamond doesn’t make it, he could produce another contender from somewhere. He’s in the market for high-class flat horses these days.

Safer options

Of course you can play it safer and just back Mullins to be top trainer at Cheltenham at 1/6 with Paddy Power. He’s been the leading trainer at the Festival 12 times including the last seven years straight.

Sticking with Cheltenham, how about Paddy Power’s offer of 4/5 that there will be 11 or more runners in the Gold Cup? It does seem an open race this season and you’d imagine a few more British contenders (eg: Grey Dawning, Jango Baie, The Jukebox Man and Haiti Couleurs) will take on the Irish.

Looking slightly further ahead, bet365 make it 5/6 your choice whether the Grand National winner will be trained in Ireland or Britain. Ladbrokes offer 2/1 about a British-trained winner of the race.

Following Willie Mullins’ domination of the race last year (saddled five of the first seven) it’s tempting to go for an Irish win again but, in the belief that Mullins won’t be firing everything everything at Aintree this year and that the handicapper will have his say, we’ll go for a home win. After all, the Breeders’ Cup is the big one, Willie.

Number of 2025 Cheltenham championship winners to retain their crown (current champions are Golden Ace, Marine Nationale, Fact To File, Bob Olinger & Inothewayurthinkin)

None: 6/4

One: 5/4

Two: 4/1

Three: 20/1

Four or five: 100/1

How many winners will Sean Bowen ride this season in Britain? (Ended year on 164)

300 or more: 150/1

290 or more (breaking McCoy record): 50/1

280-289: 25/1

270-279: 18/1

260-269: 12/1

250-259: 10/3

240-249: 5/2

239 or less: 6/5

Aidan O’Brien to train 29 or more Group/Grade 1 winners in 2026: 16/1

Willie Mullins to train the winner of the Melbourne Cup: 12/1

Aidan O’Brien to train the winner of the Melbourne Cup: 14/1

Constitution Hill to win a Group 1,2 or 3 race on the flat: 3/1

Horses to remain unbeaten in 2026 (must run at least three times or else bet void)

Ka Ying Rising: 2/1

Final Demand: 6/1

Kopek Des Bordes: 8/1

Lulamba: 12/1

Sovereignty: 16/1

Precise: 33/1

Pierre Bonnard: 50/1

Albert Einstein: 50/1