Willie Mullins may already stand alone in the record books, but as Cheltenham Festival 2026 approaches, the Closutton maestro insists numbers alone do not define success. The 69-year-old, who has amassed 113 Festival winners since taking out his licence in 1988, says the thrill now lies not in adding to the tally, but in capturing the races that shape legacies.
Speaking at an event hosted by The Jockey Club at The Lord Bagenal Hotel, close to his County Carlow base, Mullins offered a candid assessment of his squad and the delicate balancing act that precedes jump racing’s most exacting week.
“I’m always fascinated when people ask, ‘How many this year, Willie?’” he smiled. “We go there hoping for one. If we get the first one on the first day, then maybe we might get two or three. But we don’t go over expecting winners.”
Subheading: Cheltenham Festival 2026 – Mullins Eyes the Big Prizes
For all the depth in his yard, Mullins remains pragmatic. “If you have 10 favourites, five will get beaten. That’s the reality of it. Half the favourites – maybe more – get beaten at Cheltenham.”
It is why, he says, a Gold Cup or Champion Hurdle carries more resonance than a cluster of minor triumphs. “Ten ordinary winners would be fantastic. But to get a Gold Cup, a feature race, a Champion Hurdle – that puts a whole different aspect on the week.”
The build-up, he admits, is equal parts excitement and dread. Each morning brings the hope that every key contender remains sound. “You’re always wondering is there going to be this horse injured or that horse injured – and you’re hoping it’s not your star player.”
A remarkably wet winter has added another layer of complexity. “It’s the wettest year I’ve ever had,” he reflected. “But everyone else is in the same boat.”
Among the headline acts for Cheltenham Festival 2026 is dual Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs. Mullins felt his Christmas exertions may have left a mark, but believes softer ground would aid his cause. “He’s still at an age where he’s competitive and I think he still has the ability. He’ll need luck.”
Fact To File remains a fluid proposition, with options between the Ryanair and the Gold Cup still open. “I’ll get him ready for Cheltenham and train him the same,” Mullins said, noting that ownership discussions will shape the final call.
Gaelic Warrior, tough and consistent, could return to the Ryanair after what Mullins described as “a hell of a run” at Leopardstown. Majborough, meanwhile, is being kept to a familiar routine. “It’s about getting him right and he’s come right,” the trainer said.
In the novice ranks, Mighty Park’s 38-length demolition at Fairyhouse has propelled him into serious Supreme consideration. “Winning by 38 lengths puts you into Faugheen-type territory,” Mullins remarked, clearly impressed by the gelding’s cruising speed and jumping.
Leader d’Allier, King Rasko Grey and Kopek Des Bordes add further depth, while Il Etait Temps is likely to head for the Champion Chase. “He surprised me when he won at Sandown and then repeated it in the Tingle Creek. I was hoping he could do that at Ascot, but he didn’t.”
Elsewhere, Love Sign d’Aunou’s emphatic Naas success caught the eye. “He didn’t beat them, he hammered them,” Mullins said, a phrase that lingered as a reminder that raw dominance still excites him as much as any statistic.
Throughout the hour-long discussion, Mullins returned repeatedly to judgement and teamwork. “You surround yourself with the best people you can and you listen to them,” he explained. “Good advice is nothing unless you take heed of it.”
For all his experience, Cheltenham Festival 2026 still stirs both anticipation and anxiety. “It’s fun getting ready but it’s a dread too,” he admitted. “I’m lucky because I’ve got so many nice horses. I always feel for the trainer who has just one stable star and that goes by the wayside.”
If history is any guide, Mullins will leave Prestbury Park with more silverware. But whether it is one winner or several, his focus remains firmly fixed on the prizes that endure in memory long after the roar subsides.
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