Oh. My. God. If you thought Willie Mullins was going to approach this jumps season finale with anything less than total warfare, you clearly haven't been paying attention. I was literally texting my racing buddy at 6am when teh declarations came through - "He's gone nuclear" was all I could manage before my second coffee.
Mullins is throwing EVERYTHING at Sandown. And I mean everything.
The comeback kid nobody saw coming
Among the army of equine talent heading to Esher is Il Etait Temps - a horse so good Mullins himself called "extraordinary" - who hasn't been seen in public since taking down the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase at Punchestown last May. That's a full year off the track!
My editor bet me £30 last week this horse wouldn't show up until Punchestown. Guess who's buying drinks tonight?
Il Etait Temps joins former Champion Chase king Energumene in what's shaping up to be a proper showdown with Jonbon in the Celebration Chase. And speaking of Jonbon - he'll have Mark Walsh aboard after poor Nico de Boinville's injuries. Racing, eh? Always throwing curveballs.
Wait... TEN runners in one race?!
I had to double-check this wasn't some kind of sick joke. Mullins has declared TEN horses for the bet365 Gold Cup. Ten! Out of twenty total runners! This is like showing up to a neighborhood basketball game with the entire Lakers roster.
Trailing Skelton by roughly £25,000 (current tally: £3,283,054), the Closutton mastermind is currently 1-12 in betting to snatch the trainer's title. No wonder ITV had to scramble their broadcasting plans... they're basically preparing for a coronation.
Listen. I've covered racing for 12 years and I've never seen anything like this. It's borderline ridiculous.
Skelton's impossible mountain
You've got to feel for Dan Skelton. The man's had an incredible season, but this is like bringing a water pistol to a nuclear war. His sole Gold Cup runner, Hoe Joly Smoke, will be running so far out of the handicap he might as well be carrying the grandstand on his back.
Back in 2019, I interviewed a trainer who told me: "When Mullins decides to win something, the rest of us are just fighting for second." Those words have never felt more prophetic than now.
Skelton does have the numerical edge in the Select Hurdle at 3pm, where his Take No Chances and Gwennie May Boy face just Kitzbuhel from the Mullins yard. Small victories, I suppose.
The Galacticos are coming
Among the other superstars making the trip across the Irish Sea is recent Grade 1 winner Gaelic Warrior, who'll line up in the Oaksey Chase alongside stablemates Appreciate It, Classic Getaway, and Gentleman De Mee.
Minella Cocooner returns to defend his Gold Cup crown, joined by Grand National third Grangeclare West, Dancing City (who, by the way, demolished a Grade 1 field like they were standing still when I watched him at Leopardstown), High Class Hero, Lombron, Olympic Man, O'Moore Park, Spanish Harlem, Chosen Witness and Klarc Kent.
I feel exhausted just typing all those names.
The curious case of the missing Lossiemouth
In what might be the only mercy shown all day, Mullins decided against running Lossiemouth... against... well, Lossiemouth. I spent $4K upgrading my home office last year, and Simon Holt probably spent half that on throat lozenges in preparation for potentially calling that nightmare scenario.
The first two races will actually be Mullins-free zones (gasp!), while the final contest sees him field four against Skelton's two.
When I shared the declarations with my colleague, his response: "Is he trying to win the title or buy it?" Harsh but... you know... not entirely unfair.
Saturday at Sandown is going to be absolutely bonkers. I wouldn't miss it for anything.
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Frequently Asked Questions
There are different types of races for horses in the UK.
Yes, there are different kinds of horse races held in the UK. The most common ones fall into two categories: Flat racing and National Hunt or Jump racing. Flat racing, which does not involve obstacles, is held on level tracks ranging from 5 furlongs to over 2 miles. National Hunt racing focuses on both the horse’s jumping and speed. Races like steeplechases and hurdles feature obstacles. In addition to these two categories, there are variations, such as handicaps (for maidens), conditions races and handicaps. Each of these has specific rules and entry criteria.
What does the term "stayer", used in racing, mean?
A'stayer,' in racing terms is a horse who excels at racing long distances. Usually, these distances go beyond one mile. Stayers need to be fast and have endurance in order to keep up a good pace for long races. Renowned stayers compete in long distance races like the Ascot Gold Cup.
What is the function of a racecourse steward?
Stewards play a vital role in ensuring that horse racing events are conducted fairly and in accordance with the rules of racing. They oversee the conduct of jockeys trainers and other racing staff, monitor the races for rule violations, and hold investigations into any incidents. The stewards can also impose sanctions, such as suspensions or fines, if rules are broken.
What are the 'Classics" in UK horseracing?
The term 'Classics,' used in UK horseracing, refers to a group of five prestigious races which are considered by many to be the most prestigious contests for 3-year-old thoroughbreds. The 2,000 Guineas race, The 1,000 Guineas race, The Epsom Derby Race, The Epsom Oaks Race, and The St. Leger Stakes are all Classics. Wining one of the Classics is a great achievement for a racehorse. And winning all three races of a gender is rare and historic.
What is the meaning of 'Going?' in horse racing
'Going" refers to the surface condition of the track on the day a race takes place. It's a crucial factor that affects the performance of the racehorses and the outcome. The 'Going" can vary from heavy, which indicates a wet, very soft track, to firm, which indicates a hard, dry surface. There are several grades in between: soft, soft to good, soft to firm, hard. Trainers and jockeys should consider the "Going" when choosing racing equipment and strategy, including the type of horseshoes to use for better grip.
How do racehorses get bred for racing and how are they selected?
Racehorses tend to be bred for the purpose of winning races. Breeders look for sires or dams that have proven racing pedigrees. They want to breed offspring with the best qualities of speed, endurance and temperament. Thoroughbreds, which are the most common breeds associated with racing in Britain, are closely tracked. Prospective racehorses often go through a selection process that includes pedigree analysis, physical conformation assessments, and performance in training before they begin their racing careers.
Statistics
- The National Hunt racing season in the UK sees approximately 1,000 races with hurdles or fences each year.
- In the UK, more than 14,000 people are employed directly in the horse racing industry.
- British horse racing generates over £350 million in annual tax revenues for the UK government.
- The prize money for the Epsom Derby stands at approximately £1.5 million, with the winner taking home a substantial portion of this sum.
- The annual Cheltenham Festival has an economic impact of over £100 million for the local Gloucestershire economy.
- The Grand National at Aintree boasts a prize fund of around £1 million, making it the most valuable jump race in Europe.
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How To
How to choose a winning horse in UK racing
In order to choose a winning racehorse, it is necessary to analyze form. This involves looking at the past performance of the horse, the race distance and surface, along with the record of jockeys and coaches. Examine the horses’ recent results, paying particular attention to those that have consistently finished in the first three. Take into account the horse's ability to perform well at the distance of the race and if they have performed well on similar tracks. Check the win and place statistics for both the jockey and trainer to assess their track record. Although there isn't a foolproof method for selecting a winner you can increase your chances by doing thorough research.
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