Mullins emulates O'Brien with second successive trainer's title / Photo: Ben Stansall - AFP
Mullins emulates O'Brien with second successive trainer's title
Willie Mullins emulated fellow Irish training legend Vincent O'Brien when he was crowned British champion National Hunt trainer for a second successive time as the season reached a climax at Sandown Park on Saturday.
The 68-year-old sent 21 runners over to seal the title and having started the day £68,000 (79,350 euros, $78,000) behind Dan Skelton he won two valuable prizes to pass the Englishman.
Mullins did not have it all his own way. He was denied victory in the penultimate race, the Gold Cup Handicap Chase.
That was won by Resplendent Grey rounding off an incredible season for champion jockey Sean Bowen, the Welshman having won the Irish Grand National last Monday.
However, Mullins -- who had 10 of the 19 runners -- sealed the trainer's prize as his horses filled second to fifth spots.
That prizemoney ensured with just one race to go Skelton -- the son of 2016 Olympic show jumping gold medallist Nick -- could not pass him.
Mullins had more £3.5 million to over £3.3 million for Skelton.
His achievement mirrors that of the late O'Brien whose two titles came in 1953 and 1954 before going onto a trophy-laden flat race career.
"Privileged to ride for him, he is an exceptional trainer," said stable jockey Paul Townend.
Mullins had a 1-2 in the Oaksey Chase, favourite Gaelic Warrior led home Appreciate It to reduce Skelton's advantage to just over £2,000.
The Irish master passed Skelton in the standings in the following race as his favourite Kitzbuehel finished third, moving £6,000 clear.
He took a sizeable lead with another extraordinary training performance by Mullins as Il Etait Temps eased to victory in the Grade One Celebration Chase, his first race in almost a year.
"You can't discount Willie Mullins's horses after a long lay-off," said winning rider Danny Mullins.
Mullins was to crown another wonderful campaign by winning the final race of the season with Skelton's runner appositely finishing second.
Bowen -- one of four Welsh riders in the top 10 of the final standings -- fulfilled what he said was "something you dream of as a kid".
Champion conditional (apprentice) jockey was Freddie Gingell who dedicated the title to his late mother Kim, daughter of Cheltenham Gold Cup winning trainer Colin Tizzard.
Kim, who was an integral part of her father's set-up, died of cancer in 2020.
"Everything I achieve is for mum," said 19-year-old Gingell.
"It's nearly five years ago now and my whole world really got turned around.
"From then on, I really wanted to give it my best shot which is what she would have wanted. It's all for her.
"Dad (Dave Gingell) and I really are like best friends as much as father and son.
"I am thankful for him being by my side and we get through every day together."
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