The British jump racing Champion Trainer title is the highest individual honour for National Hunt handlers. Largely dominated by Paul Nicholls for the best part of this millennium, the race for the title has opened up in recent seasons—making it somewhat more unpredictable in the horse racing odds.
Warwickshire trainer Dan Skelton, a former assistant to Nicholls, looked set to land the personal accolade for the first time last season as he stormed clear of his former boss ahead of the major spring meetings.
However, with plenty of prize money up for grabs at the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National meeting at Aintree, there was still a lot to play for in the closing months of the season, opening the door to esteemed Irish trainer Willie Mullins.
Over 70 years after Vincent O’Brien’s Trainers’ Championship success in the 1950s, Mullins closed the gap with a string of high-profile victories to become just the second Irish handler to claim the sport’s top prize.
Skelton has opened up a gap from Nicholls in the early stages of this season, with almost £500,000 separating them. However, Mullins is keen to defend his title and will likely be back in contention when the campaign really starts to heat up.
That said, read on as we take a look at how Mullins came from practically nowhere to snatch the Trainers’ Championship from right under Skelton’s nose.
Cheltenham Festival
As has been the case for the last decade or so, Mullins dominated the 2024 edition of the Cheltenham Festival.
Landing his 11th Leading Trainer award with a remarkable nine victories at Prestbury Park, Mullins also made history at the Festival as he passed the 100-winner mark at the prestigious meeting.
The Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, Champion Bumper, and Arkle were amongst his biggest victories in yet another triumphant week.
With a total of 12 horses in the front three of the meeting’s 28 races, Mullins racked up roughly £1 million in prize money—a crucial turning point in the Champion Trainer race.
Grand National Festival
While Mullins won the Grand National with Hedgehunter back in 2005, the Aintree showpiece eluded him for almost 20 years.
I Am Maximus ended his excruciating wait for a second success back in April, justifying red-hot favouritism to win by over seven lengths from his nearest rival.
The £500,000 top prize, along with over £300,000 from other major victories throughout the meeting, put him firmly in the Champion Trainer race.
Scottish Grand National Festival
From there, Mullins had the accolade in his sights. So, it was on to Ayr the following week for the Scottish Grand National.
The richest race left of the season, Mullins fielded six runners in a bid to secure the £112,540 purse, and 18/1 outsider Macdermott prevailed in a thrilling photo finish.
Already over £30,000 clear of Skelton going into the meeting, the victory all but confirmed Mullins’ success in the Champion Trainer race.
Jump Finale
The British jumps season traditionally concludes at Sandown Park, and Mullins celebrated the reception of his trophy with a couple of wins on the final card of the campaign.
Minella Cocooner won the valuable Gold Cup Handicap Chase before Impaire Et Passe scored in the Group 2 Select Hurdle, adding a further £141,219 to his annual winnings.
Main Image Credit: MQImages/Shutterstock
