Mullins overtakes Walsh’s win record

PATRICK MULLINS became the winning-most amateur rider of all time as he overtook the record of 545 winners set by Ted Walsh with victory aboard Queens Boulevard in the Blind Tiger Flat race at Sligo yesterday.

Mullins (right) had drawn level with a winner on Saturday, and is now out on his own on 546 career triumphs following the success of the 4/7 favourite, trained by the rider’s father, Willie.

Never far from the pace, Mullins was always cruising on the five-year-old debutant and looked set to go well clear when pressing the button soon after entering the straight. In the end it was a shade closer than expected, but the result was never in doubt, with half a length the winning margin over Just A Boy.

Mullins, 28, said: ‘Obviously I couldn’t have done it without standing on what my parents have built in Closutton and on what my grandparents built in Duninga before that.

‘I’m in a very privileged position and get a lot of opportunities. It’s good to be able to make the most of them.

‘I’m riding for Willie Mullins, so that makes the job a lot easier.’

Mullins has long been a potent force in bumpers, but has also shown himself to be equally adept over obstacles, winning his share of high-profile races — and on big names.

They include Grade Ones on Douvan, Un De Sceaux, Wicklow Brave and Bacardys, while he was also in the saddle when Faugheen won his first bumper at Punchestown in 2013.

His first Grade One win came through Cousin Vinny in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in 2008.