RACING FAMILY ‘MATRIARCH’ MAUREEN MULLINS DIES AT 94
TRIBUTES have been paid to the ‘beloved matriarch’ of the famous Mullins horseracing family, Maureen Mullins, who died yesterday morning.
Mrs Mullins, who was 94, was mother to well-known trainers Willie and Tony, Tom and Sandra, as well as George, who runs a renowned horse transport business.
She was grandmother to jockeys Danny and Patrick, along with David, Charlie and Emmet. She died at home surrounded by family, just outside Goresbridge in Co. Kilkenny, near where she grew up. Her son Tony confirmed her death yesterday.
Mrs Mullins was last seen in public at Gowran Park Racecourse in January. She had been living with dementia for the past two years and is understood to have become unwell over the past three weeks. She and her late husband Paddy, who died in 2010 aged 91, built up a legendary horse-racing legacy. All of their five children rode winners on the track and four of them trained winners.
Tramore Racecourse said in a statement that ‘a wave of sadness’ had ‘engulfed the community’, adding: ‘Mrs Mullins was not only a beloved matriarch within her family but also a shining supporter of Tramore. The community now grapples with the void left by her departure, mourning the loss of a woman who touched the hearts of many. In these moments of grief, heartfelt condolences are extended to the Mullins family, echoing the sentiment of a community in sorrow.’
They wrote: ‘She embodied the spirit of resilience, warmth, and unwavering support. Her presence as a mother and pillar of strength within the Mullins family added a unique dimension to the vibrant tapestry of Tramore.’ Her funeral is expected to take place in Goresbridge this weekend.