Willie Mullins has long been synonymous with National Hunt excellence, and his rise from a successful amateur jockey to one of the most formidable trainers in jumps racing is a story of talent, patience, and relentless ambition. Operating from Closutton in County Carlow, Mullins has built a yard that is as much a school of horsemanship as it is a training facility.
Horses arrive here with potential, and under his careful guidance, they are transformed into champions. His meticulous approach to schooling, conditioning, and race placement has earned him the admiration of owners and competitors alike, and his record speaks for itself. Over the years, Mullins has produced an extraordinary parade of Grade One winners, including Faugheen, Douvan, Vautour, Glens Melody, and, more recently, Galopin Des Champs, each etching their names into the annals of National Hunt history.
Closutton itself has become a hub of excellence where every detail, from diet to schooling regimes, is designed to get the very best from the horses. The results have made the yard one of the most successful in Europe.
2024/25
The 2024/25 season further underlined Mullins’s dominance. He claimed his nineteenth Irish jump trainers’ title, a testament to his consistent excellence across an extensive string of horses. He secured the British trainers’ crown in a dramatic finale, edging out Dan Skelton by a narrow margin. The season was defined by both remarkable triumphs and near misses that highlighted the razor-thin margins at the top of the sport.
At Cheltenham, Mullins sent out ten Festival winners, including an astonishing four on the final day, consolidating his reputation as the yard to beat. Galopin Des Champs continued to be the jewel in his crown, chasing a third Cheltenham Gold Cup but finishing second to Inothewayurthinkin. Yet the Punchestown Gold Cup provided redemption, with the nine-year-old producing a breathtaking 22-length victory to remind the racing world of his enduring class.
Other Festival moments captured the highs and lows of the season. State Man, appearing destined for Champion Hurdle glory, suffered a dramatic fall at the last flight, handing victory to Golden Ace and illustrating the cruel unpredictability of the sport. Bob Olinger reversed expectations to win the Stayers’ Hurdle against the favourite Teahupoo. At the same time, Poniros caused one of the biggest shocks in recent Festival history by claiming the Triumph Hurdle at 100/1.
Fact To File delivered in the Ryanair Chase, a performance that reinforced the yard’s depth and the trainer’s ability to have multiple horses ready for top-level targets. Across all divisions, Mullins demonstrated not only the capacity to produce elite talent but also the judgment to place horses where they could maximise their potential.
A hallmark of Mullins’s success is adaptability. Ballyburn, who had struggled over fences, was returned to hurdles with the Stayers’ Hurdle firmly in mind, a decision that immediately revitalised the horse’s form. Il Etait Temps was earmarked for a longer campaign, with the possibility of beginning in Britain before returning to Ireland for the mid-season festivals.
Anzadam emerged as a serious Champion Hurdle contender. At the same time, Nick Rockett remained a lightly-raced but intriguing prospect with the versatility to tackle either the Gold Cup or a major long-distance event such as the Grand National. These strategic choices underline Mullins’s pragmatic approach, ensuring that each horse is trained and campaigned to exploit its strengths.
Embed from Getty ImagesLooking Ahead
Looking ahead to the 2025/26 season, the goals at Closutton are ambitious yet measured. Galopin Des Champs will again be prepared for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, with a campaign carefully constructed to ensure peak form in March. State Man is expected to return to challenge for the Champion Hurdle, with Anzadam providing an additional option over two miles.
Ballyburn will continue in hurdles, aiming for staying contests and the Stayers’ Hurdle, while Il Etait Temps may pursue a broader campaign combining British and Irish targets. Nick Rockett offers flexibility, and depending on his development, could be aimed at either top-level staying chases or the Grand National, giving the yard options across the season’s biggest races.
The 2025/26 campaign will also showcase a wave of emerging talent. Poniros, last season’s shock Triumph Hurdle winner, will step into open company, and several bumper graduates are expected to progress into novice hurdles and novice chases. French imports who have impressed in schooling sessions will provide additional depth, with several four- and five-year-olds earmarked as potential Festival contenders. These newcomers complement a seasoned squad and ensure that Mullins has strength across every division, from novice hurdles to elite chases.
Analytically, the scale of Mullins’s operation continues to impress. In recent seasons, he has averaged over 200 winners annually, with prize money surpassing €25 million across four campaigns. Strike rates remain consistently high, around 25 to 27 per cent in Ireland, demonstrating that his yard not only produces volume but also elite-quality performers. The ability to combine experienced stars with emerging talent, and to maintain high levels of performance across a demanding calendar, is what separates Mullins from his contemporaries.
Embed from Getty ImagesMullions of prize money will be won!
The ambitions for 2025/26 are clear: defend the Irish trainers’ title, remain a force in Britain, and once again dominate Cheltenham. Beyond statistics, the objective is to continue producing champions across all divisions. With Galopin Des Champs and State Man leading the charge, Ballyburn in the staying ranks, Il Etait Temps and Anzadam providing additional firepower, and a host of promising newcomers ready to make their mark, the Closutton team is poised for another season of success.
For Willie Mullins, the formula remains constant: blend proven class with emerging talent, manage campaigns with meticulous precision, and peak at the right moment. All the signs suggest that 2025/26 will be another season defined by the Closutton yard, with new stories of triumph and talent waiting to unfold on the biggest stages of National Hunt racing.
This has been the final instalment of Looking Ahead to the 2025/26 Jumps Season. You can find previous instalments HERE. Enjoy what is sure to be a thrilling season.
