‘We’ve had so many great days in Cheltenham… so we can cope with the bad ones!’: Jockey Patrick Mullins takes us on a tour of his father Willie’s famous stables and reveals a glimpse of the spectacular horse parade competing at the festival.
Nestled in the rolling hills of County Carlow, Ireland, Closutton Stables stands as a beacon of excellence in National Hunt racing. Home to the legendary trainer Willie Mullins, this sprawling facility has become synonymous with dominance at the Cheltenham Festival, the pinnacle of jumps racing.
On a crisp winter morning in early 2026, amateur jockey and assistant trainer Patrick Mullins invites us inside for an exclusive tour, offering insights into the operation that has redefined success in the sport.
Patrick, a champion amateur rider in his own right with multiple Festival victories, including on Jasmin De Vaux, greets visitors with a warm smile and a pragmatic outlook shaped by years of highs and lows.
“We’ve had so many great days in Cheltenham… so we can cope with the bad ones!” he says, reflecting on the emotional rollercoaster of the Prestbury Park meeting.
The 2025 Festival exemplified this perfectly: Willie Mullins saddled a record-equaling 10 winners, bringing his all-time tally to 113, yet the week ended on a bittersweet note when superstar Galopin Des Champs finished second in the Gold Cup, denied a historic third victory by Inothewayurthinkin.
As we walk through the yard, the scale of the operation is immediately apparent. Rows of immaculate boxes house over 200 horses, each meticulously cared for by a dedicated team.
The air buzzes with activity—grooms leading horses to the all-weather gallops, farriers at work, and the occasional whinny echoing across the grounds. Patrick points out the indoor school and the deep woodchip uphill gallop, key facilities that have honed countless champions.
“Dad has built this place from the ground up,” Patrick explains. “It’s not just about the horses; it’s the attention to detail in every aspect of their preparation.”
The tour moves to the gallops, where a parade of potential Cheltenham contenders is working under the watchful eye of Willie Mullins himself. Despite the disappointment of the 2025 Gold Cup, optimism abounds for the upcoming 2026 Festival.
Leading the string is Galopin Des Champs, the dual Gold Cup winner who remains the yard’s flagship horse. Now a seasoned campaigner, he moves with the effortless power that has seen him claim three Irish Gold Cups and dominate at Punchestown. “He’s in fantastic order,” Patrick notes.
“The plan is to target another Gold Cup. He’s shown he can bounce back, and at his best, he’s still the one to beat.”
Nearby, Fact To File catches the eye. The imposing chaser exploded onto the scene with a commanding Ryanair Chase victory in 2025, showcasing spectacular jumping and stamina.
Connections are eyeing a step up to the Gold Cup distance in 2026, believing his scope and attitude make him a serious contender for chasing’s blue riband. “He’s a horse with everything—speed, jump, and heart,” Patrick says.
“Winning the Ryanair was special, but we think three miles plus will suit him even better.”
The novice division looks particularly strong. Kopek Des Bordes, who impressed with a Supreme Novices’ Hurdle win in 2025 despite erratic jumping early in his career, is schooling brilliantly over fences. Patrick recalls riding him in bumpers and hurdles, marveling at his progression.
“He was raw, but the talent was always there. Now over bigger obstacles, he could be anything in the Arkle or Turners.”
Mares have long been a Mullins specialty, and the current crop upholds that tradition. Lossiemouth, a multiple Grade 1 winner including the Mares’ Hurdle, continues to thrive, while emerging talents like Maughreen and Bambino Fever are generating excitement.
The Champion Bumper, a race the stable has won 13 times, could feature promising flat-bred recruits showing serious potential on the gallops.
Patrick pauses by a box housing a young hurdler with a flashy pedigree. “This is the beauty of Closutton—we’re always looking ahead.
Dad buys with Cheltenham in mind, but it’s about developing them patiently.” He shares stories of past greats: Al Boum Photo’s back-to-back Gold Cups, Quevega’s six Mares’ Hurdles, and more recent stars like State Man and Energumene (before retirement).
The family’s involvement runs deep—Willie’s wife Jackie and Patrick play integral roles, creating a tight-knit unit that thrives under pressure.
Yet, Patrick is quick to acknowledge the challenges. “Expectations are huge every year. We send over big teams with multiple favorites, and people expect double figures in winners. But racing doesn’t work like that.
One bad day, like Galopin in the Gold Cup last year, reminds you how tough it is.” The 2025 Festival delivered thrills—four winners on one day, including standout performances from Poniros in the Triumph and Dinoblue in the Mares’ Chase—but also frustrations, with favorites underperforming.
As the horses cool down after their work, the parade resembles a spectacle of equine athleticism: long-striding chasers floating over the ground, nimble hurdlers quickening effortlessly, and sturdy stayers grinding up the hill.
It’s a glimpse of what could unfold at Cheltenham in March 2026—a potential assault on Willie’s own records, with Galopin Des Champs chasing immortality and a new generation ready to emerge.
Patrick concludes the tour with characteristic resilience. “Cheltenham is the ultimate test. We’ve been lucky to have so much success, but we know the bad days come too. That’s what keeps us grounded and hungry.” As we leave Closutton, the sense of anticipation is palpable.
Willie Mullins’ empire shows no signs of slowing, and the 2026 Festival promises another chapter in a storied legacy—one filled with hope, hard work, and the unyielding pursuit of glory on those famous Gloucestershire hills.
