Wille Mullins seals British trainer title to repeat Vincent O’Brien’s feat from 70 years ago

Willie Mullins has become the first Irish-based trainer since Vincent O’Brien 70 years ago to be crowned champion over jumps in Britain.

While odds-on favourite El Fabiolo suffered defeat in the bet365 Celebration Chase at Sandown, the second prize of £36,329 was enough to seal victory over Dan Skelton, whose Nube Negra finished fifth to take home £4,556.

Skelton started the day over £162,000 behind Mullins and the Grade 1 result meant he would not be able to win enough money in the remaining races to take the win.

A first British title tops another stellar season for Mullins, who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup with Galopin Des Champs and Champion Hurdle with State Man, as well as landing the Grand National with I Am Maximus.

“It’s been a fantastic year and I have to thank my owners who said whatever you need to bring to England, bring them to England,” said Mullins.

​“Between my owners and staff what more could you ask for and that’s a good team of horses, I suppose. When you start off with the right people the horses will come.

“Vincent O’Brien is the legend of the game and to do something he did is extraordinary and something we never even thought of or could comprehend doing. We’re delighted, everyone at Closutton is very happy.”

JP McManus nominated I Am Maximus’ Randox Grand National success as the highlight of another championship-winning season in Britain.

McManus was crowned champion owner for the eighth successive season, also at Sandown, with Jonbon’s striking Grade 1 victory in the bet365 Celebration Chase providing a fine finale to the 2023-24 term.

However, I Am Maximus gave McManus his defining moment of the campaign when carrying the famous green and gold to his third triumph in the Aintree showpiece, with the 73-year-old expressing his love for the Merseyside marathon.

“We have had a good run this year and I have a great team of trainers, stable staff and jockeys and I couldn’t have done it without them,” he said.

With the title secured, Willie and Danny Mullins repeated the trick seven days on from winning the Scottish National in a photo finish, as Minella Cocooner was delivered right on the line to catch long-time leader Annual Invictus in the bet365 Gold Cup.

With the pressure off, Danny Mullins crept into contention on the 17-2 chance but Annual Invictus did not give up without a fight.

Two from home there were still plenty in with chances, but it only concerned Minella Cocooner and Annual Invictus at the last and it was the Mullins’ runner who came out on top in a tight finish.

Meanwhile at Navan, Ezeliya ended Purple Lily’s unbeaten start to her career when running down Paddy Twomey’s filly in the closing stages of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Salsabil Stakes.

Winner of a Cork maiden on her second outing last season, the Dermot Weld-trained Ezeliya was a 9-1 shot in a strong Listed race.

Purple Lily appeared to have everything covered as Billy Lee unleased down on the outside of Everlasting and Caught You Looking, but Chris Hayes, who had been pushing away for some time on Ezeliya, was getting a real tune out of his filly.

​She flew home to win by half a length and earn a quote of 16-1 from Coral for the Betfred Oaks at Epsom. “I thought she would run a big race and she did,” said Weld. “It was a very true-run Group race and they went a real good gallop for a mile and a quarter.

“Chris took his time on her. He planned to sit a little bit closer but at the pace they were going he waited. I loved the way she attacked the hill and saw her race out well. Better ground will suit her better.”

Ezeliya is a daughter of Dubawi out of Eziyra, who was a multiple Group race winner for Weld and placed third behind Enable in the 2017 Irish Oaks.

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