Willie Mullins, a renowned figure in the horse racing world, is gearing up for a momentous occasion this Friday evening at Leopardstown. It’s not just any race he’s preparing for; he’ll be sending out his first runner under the banner of none other than the King and Queen themselves.
The anticipation is palpable as former Sir Michael Stoute trainee, Reaching High, gears up to make his debut under the tutelage of Mullins in the prestigious Leopardstown Lady Riders Handicap. The event promises to be nothing short of spectacular, drawing attention from fans and enthusiasts alike.
In a recent interview with The Irish Field, Mullins shared his excitement about this new chapter in his career.
“We were introduced to King Charles and Queen Camilla at Royal Ascot last year,”
Mullins revealed.
“The next thing, we got a phone call asking if we would take a horse for them. I said I would be delighted and Reaching High arrived here shortly afterwards.”
This royal endorsement marks a significant milestone for Mullins, adding yet another feather to his cap as one of the most respected trainers in the business. The reigning British and Irish champion’s joy is evident as he welcomes this new challenge with open arms.
Reaching High boasts an impressive track record, having secured victory in one of his eight starts under Stoute’s guidance. Partnered by Jody Townend – sister to Mullins’ top jockey Paul Townend – the talented horse is poised to make waves at Leopardstown before potentially setting his sights on Royal Ascot next month.
Mullins elaborated on their preparations for Reaching High’s upcoming races, stating,
“We have schooled him over hurdles and had hoped to get a run into him over jumps recently but it didn’t work out.”
Despite these minor setbacks, optimism abounds as they forge ahead with their plans for the promising contender.
Looking towards future competitions like the Ascot Stakes over two-and-a-half miles on day one of Royal Ascot, Mullins expressed confidence in Reaching High’s abilities.
“His pedigree is all stamina,”
he remarked thoughtfully, hinting at the horse’s potential suitability for such challenging races.
As racing enthusiasts eagerly await Reaching High’s performance on Friday night at Leopardstown, there is an air of excitement surrounding this burgeoning partnership between horse and trainer. With history on their side – considering Mullins’ previous successes in events like the Ascot Stakes – expectations are running high for what lies ahead.
Mullins’ storied career includes multiple triumphs at prestigious events like Royal Ascot; each win adding to his legacy as a masterful trainer capable of guiding horses towards greatness. With Reaching High carrying not just talent but also royal lineage courtesy of Queen Elizabeth II’s Gold Cup winner Estimate as his dam, there’s no telling how far this dynamic duo can go.
As we count down to Friday evening’s showdown at Leopardstown, all eyes will undoubtedly be on Willie Mullins and Reaching High as they embark on this exciting new chapter together – culminating in what could be the start of something truly extraordinary in the world of horse racing.
