Willie Mullins is the all-time leading trainer at jump racing’s Cheltenham Festival
Ethical Diamond, trained by Grand National-winning Willie Mullins, delivered a stunning late surge to secure victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, setting a new course record.
The 20-1 outsider, whose early career was primarily spent in hurdle racing, accelerated down the outside under jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle to triumph in one of Flat racing’s most prestigious events, claiming the £2m+ prize at Del Mar in California.
Ethical Diamond, previously victorious in the Ebor Handicap at York in August, finished ahead of runner-up Rebel’s Romance and third-placed El Cordobes, while pre-race favorite Minnie Hauk finished outside the places.
The win marks another significant achievement in the illustrious career of Mullins, renowned as a jump racing trainer who claimed the National with Nick Rockett in April.
“This might come second best to winning the Grand National with my son Patrick on board. I couldn’t believe it,” stated Mullins, 69.
Newly crowned Irish champion jockey McMonagle, 22, commented: “It’s an unbelievable training performance. It doesn’t get much bigger than this.”
The HOS Syndicate, the owners, are hopeful for a major race double with Absurde set to compete in the Melbourne Cup for Mullins on Tuesday (04:00 GMT).
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Separately, Forever Young secured Japan’s inaugural victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, the meeting’s flagship race.
The Saudi Cup champion, ridden by Ryusei Sakai and trained by Yoshito Yahagi, finished third last year but prevailed this time, holding off 2024 winner Sierra Leone and Fierceness.
“In horse racing, this is like the Japanese team winning the football World Cup,” remarked Yahagi.
Earlier on Saturday, the British jump racing season intensified as Djelo edged out Pic D’Orhy to win the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby for trainer Venetia Williams and jockey Charlie Deutsch.
At Down Royal, Darragh O’Keeffe guided the Henry de Bromhead-trained Envoi Allen to a record third Champion Chase and 10th career Grade One victory.
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