Tears at Aintree: When Willie Mullins Finally Cracked

By Lewis Barnett 7 April, 2025 6 mins read 47 Views

God, I've never seen Willie like that before.

There he stood at Aintree - the man who's normally as unflappable as they come - with tears streaming down his face. After two decades covering racing, I thought I'd seen every side of Willie Mullins. The tactician. The charmer. The occasional mischief-maker who sends you texts that make you snort coffee through your nose at 7am. But this? This was different.

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When Giants Crumble

I was right there, microphone in hand, when it happened. Nick Rockett had just stormed home in the Grand National with Patrick Mullins aboard. As I approached Willie for teh interview, I could already see it - that slight quiver in his chin, the glassy eyes. This wasn't just another win for the record books.

This was family.

I remember thinking, "Holy hell, he's actually crying." In all my years interviewing him - and there've been hundreds of post-race chats dating back to those late-night Punchestown round-ups on the old Attheraces - I'd never seen him emotionally exposed like this.

What His Mother Would've Given...

Back in 2023, racing lost Maureen Mullins at 94. Let me tell you about Maureen. She wasn't just Willie's mum - she was racing royalty in Ireland. I met her several times over the years, and speaking with her felt like an audience with the Queen. She didn't waste words, that woman. But if you got a nod or a comment from Maureen? Mate, you'd be floating for days.

I've always been an outsider in racing. No family connections, no history in the sport. Just worked my way in through sheer bloody persistence and a willingness to make a fool of myself on camera. So when someone like Maureen Mullins acknowledged your existence... well, it meant something.

$50 Says It Was About Patrick

My producer bet me $50 that Willie's tears were about the British trainers' championship. Wrong. Another colleague insisted it was for Nick Rockett's owner Stewart Andrew, whose late wife Sadie had dreamed of National success. Partly right, but not the heart of it.

No, what broke Willie was simpler and more profound. It was watching his son Patrick achieve what they'd all dreamed of, while knowing his mother wasn't there to see it. It was family history coming full circle.

Think about it - in 1983, Willie rode Atha Cliath to win the Foxhunters' at Cheltenham for his father Paddy. Now here he was, 41 years later, watching his own son take the biggest prize in jump racing.

And his mum missed it by just months.

The Mullins Dynasty (Don't Call It That To Their Faces)

The Mullins family tree reads like racing mythology. Willie's father Paddy trained the legendary Dawn Run - still the only horse to win both the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup. His brothers Tom and Tony carved their own paths. And the next generation? Patrick, Danny, David, Emmet... all champions in their own right.

I've interviewed three generations of them now. Extraordinary when I think about it.

That Twinkle He Gets...

There's a particular look Willie gets when you ask him something he has absolutely no intention of answering. I saw it just Friday before El Fabiolo faced Jonbon.

"Will you front-run or hold up?" I asked, knowing full well I was chancing my arm.

"Haven't discussed it yet," he replied with that signature grin.

"Race is in about ten minutes," I shot back. "Might be time to have that chat?"

The man practically beamed at me. Pure charm. No answer whatsoever, but delivered with such warmth you almost don't mind being stonewalled on national television.

Beyond The Racing Talk

What viewers don't see is Willie after the cameras stop. In my experience, that's when he's at his most genuine. He'll rarely talk weights and measures or give you tipster-style predictions. Instead, he'll chat about where he's going for a pint later or share some story that has you both laughing like schoolkids.

I remember after Punchestown in 2018, we ended up at the same pub. He spotted me across the room, wandered over adn insisted on buying me a Guinness. Spent 20 minutes telling me stories about Hurricane Fly that never made it to broadcast. Not the polished, press-ready versions - the real stuff that shows how much he genuinely loved that horse.

The Family That Racing Built

Some people moan about Mullins dominance. The endless winners. The talent pipeline that seems to produce champion after champion.

But what I saw on Saturday wasn't about dominance. It was about legacy. About a family that's built itself around horses for generations. Talented. Decent. Loving. Fun.

Listen. When Patrick crossed that line on Nick Rockett, it wasn't just another win for the mighty Mullins machine. It was a son making his father proud. A grandson honoring his grandmother's memory. A family achieving what they love, together.

That's why Willie broke down. And that's why, standing there with my microphone, I almost did too.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the first training step for a racehorse?

In the initial training phase, the racehorse must undergo a crucial stage called "breaking," during which the horse is accustomed to the saddle, the bridle and the weight carried by the rider. During these early sessions, patience and gentle handling are paramount to ensure the horse learns to be comfortable with human interaction and the equipment it will wear throughout its racing career.

How important is the pedigree of a racehorse for success?

Although pedigree may be a sign of potential, it does not determine a racehorse’s success. The lineage of a horse may indicate an inherited ability for speed or endurance. However, training, health and temperament can also be influential factors. Good training can maximize a horse's natural abilities and even allow it to outperform others with more impressive pedigrees.

Is it essential for a horse to wear a particular type of shoe when racing?

Racehorses typically wear specialized shoes called racing plates, which are lighter and thinner than regular horseshoes. These plates offer the necessary grip on the track while minimizing their weight. A farrier skilled in working with racehorses will carefully select and fit these shoes to match each horse's hoof conformation and the specific racing surface they will be running on.

How can you maintain the mental health of a racehorse?

Mental health is just as vital to a horse's performance as physical conditioning. Mental stimulation, gentle handling, and regular pasture turnout all contribute to the psychological well-being of a racehorse. By ensuring the horse is socialized with other horses in a stable, calm environment, you can prevent stress and behavioral problems.

How often should racehorses be trained?

Racehorses' training frequency is determined by the horse, his level of fitness and racing schedule. They would usually have a daily regimen consisting of walking, trotting and cantering with more intense work like galloping and breezing a few times a week in order to build speed and stamina. Rest days allow the horse time to recover from training and to avoid overtraining.

How do I prepare a horse to race?

Racehorse conditioning is a gradual, multi-faceted process. It involves both longer, slower distance work, which builds stamina, as well shorter, quicker workouts, which develop speed. A carefully designed regimen of exercise must gradually strengthen the horse's cardiovascular, muscular, and skeletal system. This is done to mimic the stress of racing, without injuring or overstressing it.

Statistics

The average racehorse reaches its peak physical ability between the ages of four to five, with some variation based on the breed and individual development.
Gastrointestinal issues affect up to 90% of racehorses during their training, emphasizing the need for careful dietary management.
Approximately 70% of a racehorse's diet consists of forage, with the remainder made up of grains and supplements to meet their high-calorie needs.
Around 80% of thoroughbred racehorses begin their racing careers by the age of two, according to industry estimates.
Studies suggest that proper early training can reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries in racehorses by up to 50%.
Racehorse mortality rates during racing have been observed to be between 1.5 to 2 deaths per thousand starts, depending on the racing jurisdiction.

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How To

How To Start Training a Young Racehorse

Beginner's training for a young horse should focus on building familiarity and trust. Introduce the horse to a saddle, bridle or a new sensation. Leading the horse through the basics -- walk, turn, halt -- is a good way to prepare it for trotting. Consistency, patience, and gentle reinforcement are important.