Mulholland cuts to the chase
The next he is preparing a horse with a decent each-way chance for the most sought-after prize in jumps racing, the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup. Mulholland has not used his whip in anger since he took out a licence three years ago after riding 120 winners over 12 years and is now fulfilling the dream of being a trainer. Yet he is still only 30.
He served a three-year apprenticeship with Aidan O’Brien, then switched to the National Hunt and, as a freelance jockey, rode winners for a number of trainers, including Eamonn Sheehy, Colm Murphy and Edward O’Grady. In 2004 he came to England and was based with Ferdy Murphy, later becoming stable jockey to Micky Hammond, Alan and Lucy Normile and Sandy Forster.
He moved to the west country in 2006 where he was Paul Keane’s retained jockey and assistant trainer, and took over in May 2008 when Keane left. Firmly established at Sunnyside Racing Stables at Burlescombe in Devon, Mulholland’s next-door neighbour is David Pipe and he has full use of all the training facilities that Pond House has to offer. “I rent the yard off David and Martin Pipe and use their gallops. It’s absolutely super,” he says.
“I served my apprenticeship with Aidan O’Brien, started to ride over jumps, rode about 125 winners and wanted to go training because riding 15 winners a year doesn’t pay and you’re not going to be champion jockey. You’ve got to be realistic in life. I looked down a different road and always wanted to go training,” he says. When he saddles Midnight Chase in the Gold Cup he will have the same aim as the biggest names in the business — Paul Nicholls, Nigel Twiston-Davies and Nicky Henderson — to try to get his name on the roll of honour. Midnight Chase would not have been on anyone’s lips as a potential Gold Cup winner at the start of the season, but three victories over the course have seen the nine-year-old emerge a realistic contender for the ultimate prize.
Mulholland recalls with pride the day he partnered Midnight Chase to make a winning debut in a maiden hurdle at Perth in April 2007. “He was home-bred by Liz Harrington, who for my first two years training was my employer,” he said. “That’s how we got the horse. Paul Keane, who was training at the time, ran him first time at Perth and he won and I actually rode him.
“He gave me no instructions as I’d been based in the north so I knew the track. It was still a bit of a surprise he won. That’s how it started, then Paul retired, I took over.”
It was after his Perth success that Midnight Chase was bought by Lady Clarke, widow of the late Stan Clarke who owned such stars of the winter game as 1997 Grand National hero Lord Gyllene, Barton, Rolling Ball and Lord Relic. “After he won the first time, he was for sale and she bought him. Lady Clarke and her late husband Sir Stan Clarke were good friends of Liz Harrington so I knew them. We’ve got a few horses in training for the Clarkes and they are great owners to have. Lady Clarke is having real run with this horse because this is her horse. The good ones before were Sir Stan’s,” he says. Being a jockey was only the beginning for Mulholland. “I’d always wanted to be a trainer so I gave up riding. I was very lucky to serve my apprenticeship with Aidan O’Brien and have worked with people like Edward O’Grady, who are very successful. You pick up bits from every one of them. I haven’t ridden since I started training. Training is a hard enough job. You want the best for the horses so you try to get the best jockeys. I use Dougie Costello, he’s very good.”
Mulholland, Costello and Midnight Chase have forged an impressive partnership, sharing six wins, one second and a fourth from eight attempts. The trainer realises how important a horse like Midnight Chase is to the stable, as well as for his profile. “It’s great for the yard and for everyone associated,” he said. Mulholland will have Midnight Chase at his peak to show how good he is come the big day.
