In the world of horse racing, few names stand out like that of Willie Mullins.

As a jockey, Mullins was a six-time Irish amateur champion. He won the 1983 Aintree Fox Hunters' Chase on Atha Cliath as well as the 1996 Cheltenham Bumper on Wither Or Which.

It is, however, as a trainer that Mullins has truly made his name. A 17-time Irish National Hunt Champion Trainer, an Aintree Grand National winner, Irish Grand National winner and the most successful trainer in the history of the Cheltenham Festival with 94 triumphs on his record, the Irishman is looking to add to this in the 2024 festival.

Willie Mullins Record and Previous Winners

One of the most successful trainers of all time, Willie Mullins has had countless winners over the years across some of the most prestigious and famous courses in racing – not only at Cheltenham.

A consistent winner across the racing world, here are some of Mullins’ most notable achievements outside of the Cheltenham Festival:

• Grand National – Hedgehunter (2005)
• Irish Grand National – Burrow’s Saint (2019)
• Punchestown Gold Cup – Florida Pearl (2002), Sir Des Champs (2013), Boston Bob (2014), Bellshill (2018), Kemboy (2019), Allaho (2022)
• Irish Gold Cup – Florida Pearl (1999, 2000, 2001, 2004), Alexander Banquet (2002), Rule Supreme (2005), Kempes (2011), Quel Esprit (2012), Sir Des Champs (2013), Bellshill (2019), Kemboy (2021), Galopin Des Champs (2023, 2024)
• Irish St Leger – Wicklow Brave (2016)
• King George VI Chase – Florida Pearl (2001), Tornado Flyer (2021)

Cheltenham Specific Record

As the most successful trainer in the history of the Cheltenham Festival, Willie Mullins has achieved a total of 94 winners at the racecourse over the years. Mullins has multiple runners in the 2024 Festival – going for a personal century of winners on the 100th anniversary of the event.

Here are some of his most notable winners over the years at Cheltenham:

• Cheltenham Gold Cup – Al Boum Photo (2019, 2020) and Galopin Des Champs (2023). Galopin Des Champs is looking to defend his crown this year
• Champion Hurdle – Hurricane Fly (2011, 2013), Faugheen (2015) and Annie Power (2016)
• Queen Mother Champion Chase – Energumene (2022, 2023). El Fabiolo could give Mullins his hat-trick in this year’s race
• Stayers’ Hurdle – Nichols Canyon (2017), Penhill (2018)

Recent Willie Mullins Winners

Ahead of the Cheltenham Festival, several Willie Mullins-trained horses have been in action, of which there have been notable winners.

El Fabiolo warmed up for Cheltenham with victory in the Dublin Chase at Leopardstown back in February. Ridden by Paul Townend, El Fabiolo is favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Townend also rode Mullins’ Ballyburn to victory at the same Leopardstown meeting as he prepares for the Cheltenham Festival.

Mullins has had recent winners at Thurles, Leopardstown and Naas over the last few weeks, with horses including Chosen Witness, Blizzard of Oz and Cuta Des As, with the latter an early entrant for the 2024 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Willie Mullins in Numbers

• 94 – Mullins is the leading trainer in the history of the Cheltenham Festival, with 94 wins to his name
• 10 – He also holds the record for the most winners trained in a single Cheltenham Festival, winning 10 races in 2022 to beat his previous record of eight from 2015
• 22 – Annie Power became the first mare to win the Champion Hurdle in 22 years when Mullins prepared her for victory in 2016
• 3 – Three of the last five Gold Cup winners have been trained by Mullins, with Galopin Des Champs hoping to defend his title this year and make it back-to-back wins for the Irishman

Cheltenham Festival Tips & Blogs

BetMGM has all of your betting odds and form guides ahead of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival. Check out our latest tips for all the big races, including the Gold Cup.