ENGLISH TEXTS
January 2023 to May 2025, 12 of them are down to Willie Mullins. A remarkable figure over such a short period and considering that these 12 wins are part of the 17 Group 1 victories of a partnership that began in 2010. Among their most prestigious successes are the famous Grand National with I Am Maximus in 2024, the JCB Triumph Hurdle, the Irish Arkle and the Ryanair Chase.
FACT TO FILE
12 races 6 victories, including 4 Gr. 1
If there were another famous set of silks to be associated with Willie Mullins’ s stable, it would undoubtedly be those of JP Mc- Manus. The former bookmaker and majority shareholder of Manchester United Football Club, to name just two of his past ventures, is an iconic figure in horse racing. The best representative of the Mullins – McManus partnership for now is Fact To File. An 8-year-old bred by Michel Pehu, he has run only twelve times, winning six races. The son of Poliglote, bought for € 40,000 as a yearling at ARQANA, is none other than the reigning champion of the Ryanair Chase( Gr. 1) at Cheltenham. A year earlier, Fact To File had captured another Group 1 at the Festival, the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase. Next year, the master Irish trainer may well set his sights on the Gold Cup with him. See you in March.
MAJBOROUGH
7 races 5 victories, including 3 Gr. 1
He is the youngest member of this elite club. Only five years old, Majborough already boasts a record that would make many horses envious. Bred in France, the Sarthe region, by Hubert Langot, this son of Martinborough, himself by the Japanese superstar Deep Impact, made a winning debut at Auteuil at age three, trained by Daniela Mélé, in the Prix Grandak. He“ missed” his Irish debut, finishing third, perhaps his only flaw, followed by another thirdplace finish later. Yet, in just his third career start, he won the prestigious JCB Triumph Hurdle( Gr. 1) at Cheltenham. Returning to Prestbury Park this year, he was the overwhelming favorite for the Arkle Trophy. A few errors at the final obstacles cost him victory, but he redeemed himself at Aintree, capturing the Gr. 1 Barberstown Castle Novice Chase. We can’ t wait to see him back on the track.
I AM MAXIMUS
18 races 6 victories, including the Grand National of Liverpool
I Am Maximus joined the very exclusive club of millionaire jumpers thanks in particular to his victory in the Grand National at Liverpool in 2024 and his runner-up finish this year- an edition in which Willie Mullins saddled the first two finishers, leaving him in tears as his son Patrick claimed the win. A 9-year-old son of Authorized, I Am Maximus has been a contender in nearly every major contest. He is also a Group 1 winner at Fairyhouse, where he captured the Irish Grand National in 2023. Remarkably consistent, he has finished outside the top five only twice, in his two prep runs before the most recent Grand National. Bred by R. Huggins and G. W. Tiney, he was purchased for € 26,000 as a yearling at ARQANA.
MUNIR / SOUEDE
BY LOÏC STECHER CHOCRON
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They were both kids when they discovered the joys and challenges of horse racing. Simon Munir used to attend the races at Kempton with his grandparents, while Isaac Souede would go in the mornings to Maurice Zilber’ s training yard, as his parents were friends with the master trainer. Together with Willie Mullins, the ownership duo has enjoyed great success with Footpad, Concertista, El Fabiolo, Impaire et Passe and Jasmin de Vaux, all winners during the Cheltenham Festival, the biggest NH racing meeting in the world. Their purchasing policy remains open for these passionate of National-Hunt, even extending to buying flat yearlings. In 2024, Simon Munir explained:“ Intellectually, it is more satisfying to buy a horse for a reasonable price rather than simply buying the most expensive horse. We also breed in France, where we have a band of 10 to 12 broodmares.” The Munir / Souede / Mullins partnership has grown stronger in recent seasons, a choice that Simon Munir explains very clearly:“ Willie, besides being a master trainer, simply has the best management team behind him, and he is also the best when it comes to delegating at the races. He relies on three highly experienced people who could be full trainers themselves: David Casey, Ruby Walsh and his
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