My brother has a new website called Grand National Winners (.co.uk).
Well, I've been writing original articles rather than using AI, which to be fair doesn't seem to know much at all unless it is prompted to the point of almost writing the article yourself. Anyway, I've written about 20 articles with many up to 1000 words. I don't mind writing so its not too much of a chore.
However, I happened to be researching the performance of Willie Mullins Aintree Grand National runners since his first which dated back to 2000. It wasn't a labour of love, more like finding myself halfway down a very long road and thinking when will this end...
I didn't quite realise how many horses the Carlow trainer had sent to the most famous steeplechase of them all. By the time I'd finished the article I felt like I'd ridden one of his National runners, which fell at The Chair.
At points I was almost asleep in the chair.
The things you do to put a few quid in your pocket.
To be fair, by the time I had finished, I felt like I needed a cup of tea in my big horse racing mug.
I shouldn't complain, hey. Even Mr Mullins started somewhere working for his father, Paddy.
Anyway, I was shocked how many horses he had sent to the Aintree Grand National. If my research is correct, he's sent 63 runners to Aintree from 2000 - 2024. For all you anoraks out there, his first runner was Micko's Dream a 14/1 shot ridden by Jason Titley who fell at the first fence. After looking at his Aintree Grand National record it may have been an omen for future years.
Willie Mullins is a fantastic trainer, which is seen with 17 Irish champion trainer titles, the leading trainer at the Cheltenham Festival with over 100 winners, and putting the cherry on the horse racing cake he was crowned British jump racing trainer' championship in 2023-24.
Exceptional.
The last Irish trainer to do this was Vincent O'Brien some 70 years ago (1952-53).
I don't think Willie Mullins will detail the Aintree Grand National as his blue ribbon event. In fact, his performance has been pretty dire with just two winners from sixty-three horses and just eight from sixty-three win and place. A percentage rate of just 3% and 13% respectively.
Willie Mullins Aintree Grand National Winners:
2005 Hedgehunter 7/1, ridden by Ruby Walsh. A very popular win for owner Trevor Hemmings.
2024 I Am Maximus 7/1jf, ridden by Paul Townend for J.P.McManus.
Willie Mullins Aintree Grand National Place:
2006 - Hedgehunter 2nd 5/1jf
2008 - Snowy Morning 3rd 16/1
2018 - Pleasant Company 2nd 25/1
2019 - Rathvinden 3rd 8/1
2021 - Burrows Saint 4th 9/1
2023 - Gaillard Du Mesnil 3rd 10/1
In 2024 he sent 7 horses to compete, which was a fair proportion of the field considering only 32 took part.
It will be interesting to see how he fairs in 2025.