Mullins Becomes First Irish Trainer In 70 Years To Take The UK NH Title

Willie Mullins became the first Irish trainer to take the British National Hunt Trainer's crown in 70 years after his El Fabiolo (Fr) (Spanish Moon) ran second to Jonbon (Fr) (Walk In the Park {Ire}) in the G1 bet365 Celebration Chase at Sandown on Saturday.

Mullins also saddled winners Minella Cocooner (Ire) (Flemensfirth) and Impaire Et Passe (Fr) (Diamond Boy {Fr}) to win the bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase and the G2 bet365 Select Hurdle, respectively during the bet365 Jumps Finale card. Overall, Mullins trained 28 winners to victories in the UK, with his total prize-money standing at £3,489,256. Vincent O'Brien was the last Irish trainer to take the British jumps title back in 1953/54 prior to Mullins.

Mullins said, “It's fantastic to be champion trainer. I would like to thank all my owners who have been magnificent. They said bring to England whatever you need to win the title, which was tremendous. Between the owners, my staff and my jockeys–what more could you ask for? You need the horses but if you have got the setup, the horses will come.

“Vincent is the legend of the game and just to emulate something he did is extraordinary and something we couldn't comprehend doing. We had never dreamed of doing it but after we were pipped at the post in 2016, I said if we ever got the opportunity again then we would go for it. David Casey went through all our horses to find out what was qualified for all races in England, Scotland and Wales.

“What more can I say? I am amazed at the racing public over here, to be welcomed with such open arms everywhere we have gone. I would also like to thank the sponsors for putting on such a great day with a large prize-money pot.”

JP McManus, the owner of Jonbon and many others, notched up his eighth consecutive UK Champion NH Owner on Saturday, as well.

“We have had a good run this year and I have a great team of trainers, stable staff and jockeys and I couldn't have done it without them,” said the 73-year-old McManus, who won the Grand National with I Am Maximus (Fr) (Authorized {Ire}). “The Grand National was special, it's the most special race and if I could pick one race in the world I would want to win, it is the Grand National. We celebrated well.”

Harry Cobden was named UK Champion Jump Jockey with 163 winners for the season. He defeated Sean Bowen.