Mullins quits at age of 86

Paddy Mullins, trainer of the legendary mare Dawn Run, announced his retirement at Thurles today.

The 86-year-old has called time on his 51-year career and will hand over the reins at his Gorsebridge base to his son Tom as from Monday.

Mullins could not bow out on a winning note, having to settle for third place as 2-1 favourite Miss Toulon was well beaten by Poker Pal in the Market Square Maiden Hurdle.

The Co Kilkenny handler is best known for his exploits with jumpers, most notably the mare Dawn Run, who is the only horse to have won the Champion Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold Cup.

He also won four Irish Grand Nationals and a host of races at the Punchestown and Galway Festivals.

However, Mullins also enjoyed Pattern-race success on the Flat, landing his first Classic when Vintage Tipple won the 2003 Irish Oaks.

Surprisingly, Mullins names neither Dawn Run nor Vintage Tipple as having provided his career highlight, instead pointing to the top-class Hurry Harriet on the Flat.

He said: “The highlight of my career was Hurry Harriet winning the 1973 Champion Stakes.”

Mullins jnr, who has trained a few horses under his own name, is looking forward to taking over and said: “Hopefully it will be a trouble-free transition.”

Mullins snr, who also rode as an amateur on the Flat and over jumps, will not disappear from the scene though, and he joked: “I will be keeping a close eye on him!”

Two other of the veteran’s sons are already trainers – Tony, who also rode Dawn Run, and Willie, who guided the career of the brilliant Florida Pearl.