Saint Sam can burnish the Mullins legacy
WILLIE MULLINS’ Saint Sam will represent the Closutton stable in the Red Mills Chase today at a track close to the heart of his late mother, Maureen.
Maureen Mullins died earlier this week aged 94, leaving a remarkable legacy as the matriarch of racing’s most successful family.
She was formerly a director of Gowran Park racecourse and a long-standing shareholder as well as a regular presence in support of her late husband, Paddy, and then her children and grandchildren as their careers developed.
There will have been many happy memories shared between the family on Red Mills Chase day, an event her son Willie has won no less than seven times. This time he is represented by Saint Sam, one of five runners in the Grade Two contest over two and a half miles.
Owned by Edward Ware, Saint Sam is no stranger to the winner’s enclosure, winning four of his eight starts over fences.
His chief rival is Gordon Elliott’s Riviere D’etel, last seen finishing runner-up to Allegorie De Vassy in the Listed Opera Hat Chase at Naas seven days ago.
‘Riviere D’etel is going right-handed, which she certainly enjoys,’ said Elliott. ‘I would say this trip is probably more her thing than last weekend (two miles), too. She has come out of the race very well and we are very happy with her.’
Elliott also runs Embittered, with Sam Ewing in the saddle.
Elliott also paid tribute to Maureen Mullins ahead of the Gowran meeting.
He said: ‘Red Mills Day would have been traditionally a big day in the calendar in Gowran and it’s always a great day.
‘This year it will have an altogether different feel to it following the passing of Mrs Mullins, who was such an amazing woman and an iconic figure.’