It was a resounding victory. I never thought he could win like that.” Another reaction from jockeys at the Irish Grand National! After witnessing the world-class performance of this year’s champion
Fairyhouse erupted in a crescendo of cheers on Easter Monday as Soldier In Milan delivered one of the most dominant performances in the modern history of the BoyleSports Irish Grand National. The seven-year-old, trained by Emmet Mullins and ridden by Donagh Meyler, powered clear in the closing stages to win by an astonishing 16 lengths, leaving rivals in his wake and etching his name into the annals of Irish racing folklore.
The 2026 renewal of Ireland’s premier handicap chase lived up to its billing as a spectacle of endurance, drama, and raw talent over the testing 3 miles 5 furlongs at Fairyhouse. A field of 30 runners lined up under softening ground conditions, but from the moment the tapes rose, it became increasingly clear that this was Soldier In Milan’s day. Sent off the well-backed 6/1 favourite, the horse showcased a blend of speed, stamina, and jumping precision that belied his relative inexperience.
Less than a year earlier, Soldier In Milan had made his racecourse debut in a Punchestown bumper. Connections, led by the innovative Emmet Mullins and owner Paul Byrne, bypassed a traditional hurdles campaign entirely, opting instead for a direct route to chasing. It was a high-risk strategy that paid off spectacularly. After just four qualifying runs, including a pulled-up effort on his chase debut at Leopardstown, the horse arrived at Fairyhouse on handicap debut as a fresh, lightly raced contender with untapped potential.
Meyler, who has enjoyed a stellar season, positioned his mount prominently throughout. The pair jumped with fluency and travelled with an ease that drew gasps from the packed stands. As the field navigated the demanding circuit, many fancied contenders began to feel the toll of the distance and the heavy going. Kiss Well, a strong market contender, fell three out while still in touch, while the British raider The Jukebox Kid was pulled up. But Soldier In Milan remained unperturbed.
Approaching the fourth-last, Meyler gave his mount a confident ride, allowing the horse to stride on. The response was immediate and devastating. Soldier In Milan surged into the lead, quickening away from his pursuers with a turn of foot rarely seen in such a gruelling test. By the time they straightened for home, the race was effectively over. Each fence in the straight was met with a thunderous roar from the crowd as the leader extended his advantage relentlessly.
He crossed the line in majestic isolation, with Showurappreciation (10/1) claiming second under Mark Walsh for trainer Jonathan Sweeney, and Gordon Elliott’s The Enabler (28/1) running on gamely for third. A yawning 13-length gap separated third from fourth-placed Argento Boy.
Post-race reactions captured the sense of disbelief and admiration sweeping through the jockeys’ room and beyond. One seasoned rider, reflecting on the performance, summed it up perfectly: “It was a resounding victory. I never thought he could win like that.” The sentiment echoed across the weighing room as professionals who have seen countless Nationals witnessed something truly special—a horse that made a marathon look like a sprint.
Meyler, visibly emotional after securing the biggest win of his career, struggled to contain his joy. “This is just unbelievable,” he said. “He travelled everywhere, travelled too well, and jumped so sweetly throughout. I landed in front five out and I could just hear Emmet chewing the ear off me in my own mind! He’s a class horse, class trainer, class owner. I’m just so lucky to be involved with these people.”
For Emmet Mullins, the victory represented the culmination of a meticulously executed plan. “There’s no hiding the fact it’s been the plan,” he admitted. “It has been since the start of the season when we decided to go over fences. We said we’d keep low mileage and get the four runs he needed to qualify. There’s lots of plans that go awry, but this is magic.” Mullins praised Meyler’s ride and highlighted the horse’s raw ability: “The biggest worry was bypassing the fourth-last and hitting the front. I had warned Donagh to wait as long as he could.
He executed everything brilliantly.”
Owner Paul Byrne, whose journey from selling classified ads in the Racing Post to Irish Grand National success is itself a remarkable story, could barely contain his emotions. “It was as easy a watch as you could get,” he said. “It was just a case of hoping he would get over the last but he did. Donagh was brilliant on him. I can’t believe it. We thought he was well handicapped and it’s nice to get the odd thing right.”
The win carried deep historical resonance. Not since Our Duke in 2017 had the Irish National been dismantled in such emphatic fashion. Soldier In Milan’s success also underscored the continued dominance of Irish training talent, with Emmet Mullins following in the footsteps of his uncle, the legendary Willie Mullins, while carving out his own path of bold, unconventional campaigning. Previous exploits like Noble Yeats’ Grand National triumph in 2022 and Feronily’s rapid rise highlight Mullins’ knack for spotting and developing elite prospects on unconventional timelines.
Beyond the result, the day showcased the enduring appeal of National Hunt racing. Fairyhouse’s atmosphere was electric, with decibel levels peaking as Soldier In Milan galloped clear. The race, worth €500,000 to the winner, remains a cornerstone of the Irish racing calendar, blending tradition with modern horsemanship. For punters, it was a dream result; for bookmakers, a tough afternoon as the favourite obliged in style.
As the dust settles on this memorable Easter Monday, conversations naturally turn to what lies ahead for Soldier In Milan. While connections remain cautious about future targets—Grand National aspirations at Aintree have been floated but not confirmed—the horse’s performance suggests he possesses the class to compete at the highest level. His pedigree, scope, and attitude mark him as a potential star for seasons to come.
In an era where racing faces numerous challenges, days like this remind us why the sport captivates millions. Soldier In Milan’s victory was not just a win; it was a masterclass in preparation, execution, and sheer equine brilliance. Jockeys, trainers, owners, and fans alike will long remember the day a lightly raced seven-year-old turned the Irish Grand National into his personal procession. As one observer put it, it was a resounding victory that few saw coming with quite such authority. Ireland’s National had found a worthy new champion.
