Paddy Power horse racing expert Ruby Walsh admits he is irritated by criticism of Willie Mullins’ domination on both sides of the Irish Sea.
The Closutton maestro is set to become the first Ireland-based handler since Vincent O’Brien in 1954 to win the British Jump Trainers’ Championship when the curtain comes down on the National Hunt season at Sandown on Saturday, April 27.
He has been powered to glory thanks to nine victories at the Cheltenham Festival, I Am Maximus landing the Aintree Grand National and Macdermott scooping the Scottish equivalent, but there have been moans from some quarters about his emphatic successes.
Our resident jockey-turned-pundit Ruby has a long association with the yard and, speaking on the latest episode of our From The Horse’s Mouth podcast, he revealed his frustrations at Mullins not getting the credit he deserves.
Ruby Walsh:
“I suppose after Cheltenham he [realised] had a chance [of winning the title].
“He needed to get more prize money out of Aintree hence more horses headed there than normally would but it revolved around the Grand National and he had plenty of darts to throw. One of those had to hit the bullseye and, thankfully, I Am Maximus did.
“I’m sure Willie is aware of the history.
“When it could have happened eight or nine years ago it emerged on the radar as something that’s achievable. Shortly after that, a quarter of the string left so it wasn’t doable for a couple years then you had Covid and lockdowns. It is a huge achievement.
“I’ve been there since 1996 and to think you can go from where it was then to where it is now. When Willie thinks about it from when he started in 1988 to get from where himself and Jackie were with one member of staff to where they are now. It’s massive.
It’s built from the ground up.
“What irritates me at times now is people who say the game is ruined by Willie Mullins’ domination. When you’ve worked there and seen the work that went into it, I find it annoying when people are giving out about him. He wasn’t handed it, he’s earned it, he’s worked for it, he’s reinvested, he’s made it. That’s to be admired.
“It does p*ss me off when people start giving out. He didn’t inherit it. He wasn’t given it. It’s maximising his own talent, the talent of those around him and the horses he has. It’s something that should be put up on a pedestal.
“I’m sure something will happen Saturday night but that’s counting your chickens in Willie Mullins’ books so there’s no party planned.”
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