Ruby Walsh: The juggernaut Mullins drives is fueled by sport's only currency. Winning

Some bemoan his domination of the Irish scene, and that irks me. It would. I have been in the camp for most of my adult life.

Mullins is taking nothing for granted ahead of what could be a thrilling conclusion to the British trainers' title race at Sandown this weekend

This morning, Willie Mullins departs his Closutton home, yard and business and makes his way to Sandown with his family, Jackie and Patrick, the CEO, CFO and general manager of the biggest and most successful National Hunt training operation in Ireland, England, or even the world has seen as they stand on the verge of a new summit.

The climb has taken 34 years and grown from a small rural outfit to a mid-sized enterprise that has blossomed from one employee to the best part of 80 and from 14 stables to just over 200. It is the story of a driven man who maximised the learnings of a childhood spent at home, listening and watching his parents share the load of running a horse business.