Holy hell, the madman's actually done it. Willie Mullins has basically entered every horse but the stable pony for Sandown's season finale. I counted THIRTY-EIGHT entries across seven races. Thirty. Eight. My editor texted me at 6:43am with just "WTF" when the entry lists dropped.
This is what desperation looks like when you're chasing a second British jumps trainer title and trailing by a measly £52,775. For context, that's pocket change in racing terms - less than my brother spent renovating his bathroom last year (and that was a disaster that's still not finished).
The Irish Invasion We Should've Seen Coming
Let's be real. Mullins getting pipped at the post by Dan Skelton last season clearly left a bad taste. Nobody likes losing, but Willie HATES it. I remember chatting with one of his work riders back in 2018 who told me Mullins wouldn't speak to anyone for three days after losing a big one at Punchestown.
Now he's throwing everything including his grandmother's kitchen sink at Sandown.
The bet365 Gold Cup - worth nearly £100k to the winner - could feature his reigning champ Minella Cocooner alongside High Class Hero (currently 6-1), Dancing City (being backed into 8-1), and Scottish Grand National winner Captain Cody.
That's just teh beginning.
Wait... He's Bringing WHO?!
I nearly spat out my coffee when I saw Impaire Et Passe entered at 16-1. Then there's Grangeclare West, Quai De Bourbon, Lombron, Olympic Man, O'Moore Park, Spanish Harlem, Paggane, Chosen Witness, A Penny A Hundred, Judicieuse Allen and Klarc Kent.
Jesus.
And we haven't even gotten to the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase yet, where Mullins could run Appreciate It, Blue Lord, Classic Getaway, El Fabiolo, Gaelic Warrior or Gentleman De Mee.
It's like watching someone empty their entire Pokemon collection in one desperate battle.
The Celebration Chase Bloodbath
Poor Jonbon. Henderson's star has made the Celebration Chase his personal playground, but now faces potential opposition from Gaelic Warrior, Energumene, Il Etait Temps and Impaire Et Passe.
Speaking of Henderson - his top jockey Nico de Boinville ended up in hospital after a nasty fall at Plumpton on Easter Monday. Timing couldn't be worse with this Irish army marching toward Sandown.
There's something almost comical about Mullins entering El Fabiolo in the Grade 2 bet365 Select Hurdle. Like, really? That's where we're at now? He could also run Jade De Grugy, Kitzbuhel and... wait for it... Lossiemouth.
In a bizarre twist that only horse racing could produce, Rich Ricci's superstar mare could actually race against her NAMESAKE - Polly Gundry's ten-year-old gelding Lossiemouth. I'd pay good money just to hear the commentary for that one.
Even the "Minor" Races Aren't Safe
When was the last time you saw Willie Mullins targeting Class 2 handicap chases in Britain? Exactly. But he's entered Chosen Witness, Lombron, O'Moore Park and Paggane in the 4.45.
The final race - which might actually decide this whole title saga - could feature Bunting, Dr Eggman, Jump Allen and King Alexander.
When asked about his ridiculous number of entries, Mullins - who's about as prone to hyperbole as a funeral director - simply quipped: "Is that all?"
The Numbers Game
Bookies have Mullins at 2-11 to win his second title, with Skelton drifting out to 7-2. I put £20 on Skelton back in February which looked genius for about 3 weeks. Now I feel like an idiot.
Coral's David Stevens summed it up perfectly: "Although Dan outscored Willie in prize money terms at Plumpton, the latter got a winner on the board in the finale at the Sussex track, and more importantly, has made a host of top class entries for Sandown next Saturday, a day that is sure to be crucial in deciding the outcome of this title race."
Translation: Skelton's in trouble.
I've been covering jumps racing since 2011, and I've never seen anything quite like this end-of-season assault. It's like watching someone bring a nuclear weapon to a knife fight. The only question remaining is whether Skelton has any ammunition left to respond with.
Next Saturday at Sandown just became the most unmissable jumps card of the entire season. Cancel your plans. All of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors affect the outcome of a race?
Horse race results are affected by a number of factors, including the horse’s breeding, training, and physical condition. Additionally, jockey experience and skills, track conditions, weight, and distance are all important factors. Weather is also a factor, since some horses are better at performing on specific surfaces or in certain conditions.
How do horse racing betting odds work?
In horse racing odds represent the probability of an outcome. They can be expressed as fractions, decimals or percentages and indicate how much money a bettor could win on a winning wager. Odds are affected by the amount bet per horse, and they can change until the race. An experienced bettor will keep an eye on these changes and make informed bets.
How do you determine a horse's level of fitness before a race starts?
Fitness is measured by veterinary check-ups, trainer observations, as well as performance in workouts. Vets check horses for signs of illness or injury, and trainers keep track of their performance during training. The horse’s behavior leading up the race may also give insight into the horse’s readiness to compete.
What are the main horse racing events in the world?
Some of the most illustrious events in horse racing include the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing in the United States, which comprises the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. Dubai World Cup races, Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe events in France, Royal Ascots in the United Kingdom and Melbourne Cups in Australia are some of the internationally renowned horse racing events. These prestigious events attract the finest horses, jockeys, and trainers from around the world.
What surfaces are race tracks run on?
Horse races take place on different surfaces such as dirt, synthetic tracks, and turf (grass). The different types of surfaces can influence a horse differently. Some horses might even have a preference. Condition changes, like a wet track due to rain, can also dramatically affect the outcome of a race.
Statistics
- There are over 9.2 million horses in the United States, with a significant portion of these bred for the purpose of racing.
- As of the latest reports, the horse racing industry contributes approximately $40 billion annually to the U.S. economy.
- The Kentucky Derby, one of the most watched horse racing events, has attracted over 150,000 spectators in a single event.
- The record for the highest horse race betting turnover in a year is held by Japan, surpassing $22 billion.
- The Melbourne Cup, Australia's most prestigious horse race, sees an average attendance of over 100,000 spectators each year.
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Horse Racing Odds, Payouts & Payouts explained
To understand horse racing odds and payouts, first recognize that odds indicate the returns you will receive if your bet wins. Odds can be displayed in fractions or decimals. A 5/1 odds means that you will win $5 plus your original bet for every $1 wagered. For decimal odds of 6.00, a $1 bet would return $6 in total. Multiply your stake by the odds, whether they are fractional or decimal. Lower odds indicate that a horse has a higher chance of winning, but smaller payouts. Higher odds, on the other hand, offer bigger payouts, but indicate less favorability.
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