Tony Mullins: ‘He taught us all we know-whatever we know’
Mullins, who retired in 2005, will always be associated with the legendary mare, Dawn Run, the only horse in history to complete the Champion Hurdle-Gold Cup double at Cheltenham.
She won the Champion Hurdle in 1984 and then, two years later, turned what looked to be certain defeat into glorious victory when roaring up the punishing hill to land the Gold Cup, under an inspired Jonjo O’Neill.
Mullins’ first winner was Flash Parade in the La Touche Cup at Punchestown in 1953 and his career lasted an amazing 52 years.
Herring Gull, partnered by the late John Crowley, gave him his first Cheltenham success in the 1968 Totalisator Champion Novices’ Chase (now the SunAlliance Chase).
Other wins at the Cheltenham Festival included Counsel Cottage in the 1977 SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle and the four mile National Hunt Chase with Hazy Dawn and Mack’s Friendly.
Mullins won the Irish Grand National on four occasions with Herring Gull, Vulpine, Dim Wit and Luska and three Galway Plates, with Boro Quarter, The Gooser and Nearly A Moose.
He enjoyed plenty of wins on the flat as well, one of the more important being his only Classic victory with Vintage Tipple in the 2003 Irish Oaks. Vintage Tipple was ridden by Frankie Dettori.
Another remarkable training feat was saddling Hurry Harriet to win the Champion Stakes at Newmarket in 1973.
Mullins was later to remark: “That race was the highlight of my career, as she beat the best filly in Europe, Allez France.’’
Paddy Mullins is survived by his wife, Maureen, and sons Willie, Tony and Tom, all trainers, as well as George and daughter, Sandra McCarthy.
“He was certainly the greatest family man I ever knew and we all stayed around him and trained within five miles of home. The family has always been very unified and he kept it that way all his life,’’ Tony Mullins said.
“He taught us all we know — what ever we know. It was a little tough the last couple of days but up until then he had a very good and healthy life.
“It’s only seven years since he trained a Classic winner but he always maintained his greatest achievement was training Hurry Harriet to win the 1973 Champion Stakes.
“Vintage Tipple and Dawn Run were two great achievements, but I think Hurry Harriet gave him the biggest thrill of his life.’’
The Mullins family, Willie, Tony, Tom and Margaret, took out their horses at Clonmel yesterday where a minutes silence was observed at the meeting in memory of the great man.
