Latest news with #Closutton
Rhyl Journal
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Willie Mullins eyeing famous Ascot success with Reaching High
The master of Closutton has long been at the top of the training tree and it should perhaps be no surprise that the first man to pass a century of winners at the Cheltenham Festival and who also holds his own on the Flat is the first Irishman to train for the reigning monarch. If Mullins was feeling any nerves after being bestowed such an honour, he can take comfort from heading to the familiar territory of the Ascot Stakes with Closutton's royal inmate, a race he has won four times and which came immediately on Reaching High's radar after a pleasing stable bow at Leopardstown. 'I've been very happy since his first run, he did everything nicely at Leopardstown and if he could run a similar type of race at Ascot I would be very pleased,' said Mullins reflecting on Reaching High's short head defeat in the hands of Jody Townend. 'It would be great to have a winner for Their Majesties. It's great of them to send me a pedigree like this to train and we're hoping for the best and that it all goes well on the day.' Mullins of course has previous with the royal family at their own meeting having been the man who saddled Simenon to narrowly finish second to the late Queen Elizabeth II's Estimate when she achieved a famous Gold Cup success in 2013. Estimate was trained by Sir Michael Stoute and ridden by Ryan Moore and it is perhaps fitting that Mullins' first horse since being added to the royal roster is a former Stoute-trained offspring of Estimate set to be partnered on Tuesday by Moore. Mullins though, is determined to enjoy his week attending Flat racing's annual jamboree, even if the magnitude of victory for the King and Queen will see him bookmarked in racing history yet again. 'Why wouldn't you look forward to Royal Ascot,' said Mullins. 'Yes we'll have a few runners and hopefully a winner, but it's sort of a busman's holiday that gives you a good chance to get round and meet people who I don't get to meet at Cheltenham. 'While the Flat trainers are working away, I can catch up with all our owners just like the Flat trainers do while we're busy during Cheltenham and it works well. If we can then get a winner it's a bonus, even one in the first four is great.' Mullins currently has 10 Royal Ascot winners to his name and will also bid for a Copper Horse Stakes hat-trick with Charlus on the opening day card, while the biggest threat to Reaching High could in fact come from within his own Closutton camp in the form of Triumph Hurdle hero Poniros. Owned by Brighton and Hove Albion supremo Tony Bloom, for who Mullins saddled Stratum to win back-to-back Queen Alexandra Stakes in 2021 and 2022, the Ascot Stakes marks what could be a busy summer on the level for the shock 100-1 Cheltenham Festival scorer who was bought with dual-purpose designs. 'Poniros is well entitled to go there and he ran well there at the meeting last year,' continued Mullins. 'I think we could have some fun with him this summer and he would be one we can look forward to in all of those staying handicaps.'
North Wales Chronicle
14-06-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Willie Mullins eyeing famous Ascot success with Reaching High
The master of Closutton has long been at the top of the training tree and it should perhaps be no surprise that the first man to pass a century of winners at the Cheltenham Festival and who also holds his own on the Flat is the first Irishman to train for the reigning monarch. If Mullins was feeling any nerves after being bestowed such an honour, he can take comfort from heading to the familiar territory of the Ascot Stakes with Closutton's royal inmate, a race he has won four times and which came immediately on Reaching High's radar after a pleasing stable bow at Leopardstown. 'I've been very happy since his first run, he did everything nicely at Leopardstown and if he could run a similar type of race at Ascot I would be very pleased,' said Mullins reflecting on Reaching High's short head defeat in the hands of Jody Townend. 'It would be great to have a winner for Their Majesties. It's great of them to send me a pedigree like this to train and we're hoping for the best and that it all goes well on the day.' Mullins of course has previous with the royal family at their own meeting having been the man who saddled Simenon to narrowly finish second to the late Queen Elizabeth II's Estimate when she achieved a famous Gold Cup success in 2013. Estimate was trained by Sir Michael Stoute and ridden by Ryan Moore and it is perhaps fitting that Mullins' first horse since being added to the royal roster is a former Stoute-trained offspring of Estimate set to be partnered on Tuesday by Moore. Mullins though, is determined to enjoy his week attending Flat racing's annual jamboree, even if the magnitude of victory for the King and Queen will see him bookmarked in racing history yet again. 'Why wouldn't you look forward to Royal Ascot,' said Mullins. 'Yes we'll have a few runners and hopefully a winner, but it's sort of a busman's holiday that gives you a good chance to get round and meet people who I don't get to meet at Cheltenham. 'While the Flat trainers are working away, I can catch up with all our owners just like the Flat trainers do while we're busy during Cheltenham and it works well. If we can then get a winner it's a bonus, even one in the first four is great.' Mullins currently has 10 Royal Ascot winners to his name and will also bid for a Copper Horse Stakes hat-trick with Charlus on the opening day card, while the biggest threat to Reaching High could in fact come from within his own Closutton camp in the form of Triumph Hurdle hero Poniros. Owned by Brighton and Hove Albion supremo Tony Bloom, for who Mullins saddled Stratum to win back-to-back Queen Alexandra Stakes in 2021 and 2022, the Ascot Stakes marks what could be a busy summer on the level for the shock 100-1 Cheltenham Festival scorer who was bought with dual-purpose designs. 'Poniros is well entitled to go there and he ran well there at the meeting last year,' continued Mullins. 'I think we could have some fun with him this summer and he would be one we can look forward to in all of those staying handicaps.'
South Wales Guardian
14-06-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Willie Mullins eyeing famous Ascot success with Reaching High
The master of Closutton has long been at the top of the training tree and it should perhaps be no surprise that the first man to pass a century of winners at the Cheltenham Festival and who also holds his own on the Flat is the first Irishman to train for the reigning monarch. If Mullins was feeling any nerves after being bestowed such an honour, he can take comfort from heading to the familiar territory of the Ascot Stakes with Closutton's royal inmate, a race he has won four times and which came immediately on Reaching High's radar after a pleasing stable bow at Leopardstown. 'I've been very happy since his first run, he did everything nicely at Leopardstown and if he could run a similar type of race at Ascot I would be very pleased,' said Mullins reflecting on Reaching High's short head defeat in the hands of Jody Townend. 'It would be great to have a winner for Their Majesties. It's great of them to send me a pedigree like this to train and we're hoping for the best and that it all goes well on the day.' Mullins of course has previous with the royal family at their own meeting having been the man who saddled Simenon to narrowly finish second to the late Queen Elizabeth II's Estimate she achieved a famous Gold Cup success in 2013. Estimate was trained by Sir Michael Stoute and ridden by Ryan Moore and it is perhaps fitting that Mullins' first horse since being added to the royal roster is a former Stoute-trained offspring of Estimate set to be partnered on Tuesday by Moore. Mullins though, is determined to enjoy his week attending Flat racing's annual jamboree, even if the magnitude of victory for the King and Queen will see him bookmarked in racing history yet again. 'Why wouldn't you look forward to Royal Ascot,' said Mullins. 'Yes we'll have a few runners and hopefully a winner, but it's sort of a busman's holiday that gives you a good chance to get round and meet people who I don't get to meet at Cheltenham. 'While the Flat trainers are working away, I can catch up with all our owners just like the Flat trainers do while we're busy during Cheltenham and it works well. If we can then get a winner it's a bonus, even one in the first four is great.' Mullins currently has 10 Royal Ascot winners to his name and will also bid for a Copper Horse Stakes hat-trick with Charlus on the opening day card, while the biggest threat to Reaching High could in fact come from within his own Closutton camp in the form of Triumph Hurdle hero Poniros. Owned by Brighton and Hove Albion supremo Tony Bloom, for who Mullins saddled Stratum to win back-to-back Queen Alexandra Stakes in 2021 and 2022, the Ascot Stakes marks what could be a busy summer on the level for the shock 100-1 Cheltenham Festival scorer who was bought with dual-purpose designs. 'Poniros is well entitled to go there and he ran well there at the meeting last year,' continued Mullins. 'I think we could have some fun with him this summer and he would be one we can look forward to in all of those staying handicaps.'
Leader Live
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Willie Mullins eyeing famous Ascot success with Reaching High
The master of Closutton has long been at the top of the training tree and it should perhaps be no surprise that the first man to pass a century of winners at the Cheltenham Festival and who also holds his own on the Flat is the first Irishman to train for the reigning monarch. If Mullins was feeling any nerves after being bestowed such an honour, he can take comfort from heading to the familiar territory of the Ascot Stakes with Closutton's royal inmate, a race he has won four times and which came immediately on Reaching High's radar after a pleasing stable bow at Leopardstown. 'I've been very happy since his first run, he did everything nicely at Leopardstown and if he could run a similar type of race at Ascot I would be very pleased,' said Mullins reflecting on Reaching High's short head defeat in the hands of Jody Townend. 'It would be great to have a winner for Their Majesties. It's great of them to send me a pedigree like this to train and we're hoping for the best and that it all goes well on the day.' Mullins of course has previous with the royal family at their own meeting having been the man who saddled Simenon to narrowly finish second to the late Queen Elizabeth II's Estimate she achieved a famous Gold Cup success in 2013. Estimate was trained by Sir Michael Stoute and ridden by Ryan Moore and it is perhaps fitting that Mullins' first horse since being added to the royal roster is a former Stoute-trained offspring of Estimate set to be partnered on Tuesday by Moore. Mullins though, is determined to enjoy his week attending Flat racing's annual jamboree, even if the magnitude of victory for the King and Queen will see him bookmarked in racing history yet again. 'Why wouldn't you look forward to Royal Ascot,' said Mullins. 'Yes we'll have a few runners and hopefully a winner, but it's sort of a busman's holiday that gives you a good chance to get round and meet people who I don't get to meet at Cheltenham. 'While the Flat trainers are working away, I can catch up with all our owners just like the Flat trainers do while we're busy during Cheltenham and it works well. If we can then get a winner it's a bonus, even one in the first four is great.' Mullins currently has 10 Royal Ascot winners to his name and will also bid for a Copper Horse Stakes hat-trick with Charlus on the opening day card, while the biggest threat to Reaching High could in fact come from within his own Closutton camp in the form of Triumph Hurdle hero Poniros. Owned by Brighton and Hove Albion supremo Tony Bloom, for who Mullins saddled Stratum to win back-to-back Queen Alexandra Stakes in 2021 and 2022, the Ascot Stakes marks what could be a busy summer on the level for the shock 100-1 Cheltenham Festival scorer who was bought with dual-purpose designs. 'Poniros is well entitled to go there and he ran well there at the meeting last year,' continued Mullins. 'I think we could have some fun with him this summer and he would be one we can look forward to in all of those staying handicaps.'
Irish Examiner
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Cleary-Farrell on the double as Mullins dominates action
Punchestown report Willie Mullins dominated the weekend action in Punchestown, registering doubles on both Saturday and Sunday, with 7lb claimer Sean Cleary-Farrell delivering on the double yesterday for Closutton, on board Spanish Harlem and Keep Up. Without a win in his fourteen 14 previous starts for Mullins but fourth in the valuable Bet365 Gold Cup last time, Spanish Harlem broke through in the Jim Ryan Memorial Novice Chase, staying on dourly on the run-in to get the better of No Time To Wait and justify 8/15 favouritism. 'The track and trip suited him and he used his jumping experience,' said David Casey, representing Mullins. 'Sean gave him a good ride and he kept galloping. Nicer ground and extended trip suit him and I'd say we'll keep going with him.' Sean Cleary-Farrell completed his first double and provided the second leg of the Mullins treble on hurdling debutante Keep Up, a facile winner of the Lily & Wild Mares Maiden Hurdle, the 4/5 shot beating market rival Fillusin by five lengths. 'Sean gave her a good ride — she was a bit in his hands, fresh after her break, but she jumped well and stayed galloping,' said Casey. 'I hope she'll go on to win her 'novice' now — she could be one for Galway.' Joli Travail and Anna McGuinness win for trainer Willie Mullins. Picture: Healy Racing Anna McGuinness, another emerging 7lb claimer, rode her second winner in the famous colours of JP McManus and provided the final leg of the Closutton treble when Joli Travail (2/1) made virtually all, to take the John Dowling Memorial Maiden Hurdle at the expense of William Butler. 'He's had a couple of issues, but that was a good performance,' stated a delighted Casey. 'He learned a lot in Killarney and the longer trip definitely helped him. We'll try to find a 'novice' for him but, long-term, he looks like a chaser.' And he added, 'Anna is a good rider. She was recommended to use by James Lambe about a year ago and is with us full-time.' Brosna Queen, trained locally by Sonny Carey, proved best in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Pro-Am Flat Race, digging deep for Patrick Mullins to see off Atomic Queen and Kabylia. 'She's a good mare, with loads of ability,' said Carey. 'She'll have a break and might come back for the 'Mucklemeg' (listed event at Gowran Park) or a trip to Cheltenham in November.' The Noel Meade-trained Mick Collins (Eoin Walsh) rallied bravely on the run-in to confirm Bellewstown flat form with odds-on favourite Luker's Tipple in the Bermingham Cameras Maiden Hurdle. Tightest finish of the day came in the Madison Flooring Handicap Hurdle, when Gavin Cromwell's versatile grey Londonofficecallin (Kieren Buckley) pipped favourite Stay Gold by a nose before surviving a Stewards Enquiry. And the quirky, Ted Walsh-trained Hardwired, under a determined Gavin Brouder, proved his liking for Punchestown when foiling Antrim Coast by a half-length in the K-Mech Mechanical Handicap Chase., the nine-year-old third success at the County Kildare / poh
