ENGLISH TEXTS
always measured every single obstacle. He never got his feet tangled. You just had to make sure you were going in the right direction and he did the rest. He was incredible, especially considering his size. In Ireland, we have a saying:“ good things come in small packages.”
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PART 3: FROM FRANCE TO CLO- SUTTON, THE HE- ROES OF WILLIE MULLINS
GROUP 1 VICTORIES IN FRANCE
BY PAUL CASABIANCA
Among foreign National Hunt trainers, Willie Mullins is by far the one who has enjoyed the greatest success in France. It is a rare feat that he even holds the record for the most victories by an active trainer in one of the most prestigious races at the French temple of NH racing: the Grande Course de Haies d’ Auteuil( Gr. 1), with five titles, tied with the French master Georges Pelat and three behind another William- Head, that is. Here is a look back at his finest Group 1 achievements in France.
NOBODY TOLD ME born 26 / 02 / 1998 King’ s Theatre – Thats Luck 13 starts – 5 wins including 2 Gr. 1( Grande Course de Haies d’ Auteuil)
Nobody Told Me set the tone Because first times are unforgettable, Willie Mullins remembers very clearly his first top-level victory in the French jumping sanctuary, thanks to Nobody Told Me( King’ s Theatre). On 14 June 2003 at Auteuil, Mullins also became the first Irish trainer of the century to have his name etched into the roll of honor of this major French hurdle event, run since 1874. Beaten in the prep race by Karly Flight, the mare to beat, Nobody Told Me took brilliant revenge on the big day, causing a major upset in the Grande Course de Haies d’ Auteuil( Gr. 1). The double Group 1 winner ended her racing career in the autumn of her 5-year-old season after an injury.
RULE SUPREME born 28 / 02 / 1996 Supreme Leader – Book Of Rules 36 starts – 8 wins including 2 Gr. 1( Grande Course de Haies d’ Auteuil)
Rule Supreme delivers the double A fierce competitor, Willie Mullins returned to the scene of his latest triumph with the hope and ambition of retaining his title. In 2004, Rule Supreme carried that heavy responsibility. Like his stablemate, the son of Supreme Leader was not among the favorites, having finished third in“ La Barka”, the prep race. Three weeks later, in the Grande Course de Haies d’ Auteuil, he showed his true self, dominating the French favorite Kotkijet( Cadoudal). Mullins said after the race:“ It was a bit like last year with Nobody Told Me. We didn’ t think we would win, but he improved from his last run.” Mullins further cemented his place in the history of this legendary race by retaining the title. Rule Supreme later earned a third Group 1 at Leopardstown in 2005 before retiring in 2008.
THOUSAND STARS born 17 / 03 / 2004 Grey Risk – Livaniana 80 starts – 13 wins including 4 Gr. 1( Dual Grande Course de Haies d’ Auteuil winner)
Thousand Stars, forever a legend Six years after achieving the double in the Grande Course de Haies d’ Auteuil( Gr. 1), Mullins returned to France with Frenchbred Thousand Stars, by Grey Risk and bred by Camille and Ophélie Demercastel. Second in“ La Barka” in 2011, he was a logical contender three weeks later. Ridden by Ruby Walsh, the magnificent grey won after a thrilling duel with Bel La Vie( Lavirco). A year later, the Willie Mullins – Thousand Stars combination returned to Auteuil determined to defend their crown. Guided by Paul Townend in the prep race, Thousand Stars reunited with Walsh for a second Grande Course de Haies win in 2012.
An autumn first … and his last Last seen after his Auteuil double three years prior, Thousand Stars returned in the Grand Prix d’ Automne( Gr. 1), a race still missing from Mullins’ collection, until 2015. Prepared at home in Tipperary, he lined up on 7 November 2015 wearing Australian blinkers. Now an 11-year-old“ old uncle”, he bided his time at the rear before showing tremendous courage to win a fierce threeway battle over 4,800 meters, defeating Aubusson( Ballingary) by a nose and Hippomène( Dream Well) by a head. It was his fourth and final Group 1 victory. He retired in 2016.“ The horse of a lifetime,” according to Katy
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