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Equinties - Hearts for Harty
BGP Capital
February 12, 2026
Gm, Equinauts
Trainers must be so so sick and tired of the Cheltenham build up. Endless interviews and lame ass preview nights.
You love reading about them though so we’ve digested the key bits of the Mullins press day. You’re welcome.
Let’s dive in.
HEADLINE ROUNDUP
MULLINS’ MUSINGS
With just over a month until the Cheltenham Festival, Ireland’s champion trainer Willie Mullins hosted the press for his traditional pre-Festival update. Due to back pain, the usual yard visit at Closutton was replaced by a cosy fireside chat at the local pub and despite the change of venue, Mullins delivered his trademark honest and insightful assessment of his powerhouse team.
The 113-time Cheltenham winning trainer remains the dominant force in National Hunt racing. He is a warm favourite to land a 12th leading trainer title at the Festival, with ante-post markets showing him responsible for more than a handful of the markets over the magical week.
Mullins admitted the season had a slower start than usual, partly due to wet weather and minor setbacks, allowing rival Gordon Elliott to lead the Irish trainers’ championship. However, he struck a positive note:
“I’m happy enough. I’ve been further forward in other years. A few of the horses just haven’t sparked yet but I think I’ll have them right by the time we get to Cheltenham. I’m reasonably happy.”
A memorable quote was offered when asked about the pressure of the Festival - “People say pressure is for tyres but that’s a load of bollocks!”
LOL!
Enjoy a bit of Mullins bingo? He stressed that final targets for several big guns would be decided late, allowing him to time their peak to perfection (we can see the steam coming from the ears of racing X now!).
Anyway, let’s go through his main lot.
FACT TO FILE impressed Mullins hugely with a dominant performance in the Irish Gold Cup at the DRF but his final decision has not been made on where he runs — owner JP McManus will have the final say!
Stable, no, WORLD star GALOPIN DES CHAMPS had a tough Christmas finishing behind stablemates in the Irish Gold Cup where Mullins tried cheekpieces and remains hopeful, especially if the ground is right. A third successive Gold Cup would be HUGE.
NICK ROCKETT (Grand National winner) is under consideration for the Gold Cup at his owner’s request, though niggles have interrupted his season. That would be a turn up if he rocked up.
GAELIC WARRIOR ran a strong second in the Irish Gold Cup and looks perfectly placed for the Ryanair Chase, a race in which Mullins has very good record.
Mullins looks strong in the two-mile division. Ruby Walsh’s Champion Chase tip MAJBOROUGH is the yards flagship hope with Mullins stating he was pleased with his jumping and progress. And IL ETAIT TEMPS is another live contender. Mullins hopes to rediscover the spark after his Ascot flop. Reverse forecast anyone!? No! That is NOT a tip.
The Champion Hurdle looks one of the more open races in years, which influences Mullins’ decision making. Racing X talking horse LOSSIEMOUTH was not her usual self at Leopardstown (cheers Blogger!) so Mullins will consult owner Rich Ricci. Her recent form may suit a return to the Mares’ Hurdle we think.
Surprise Triumph winner PONIROS is definitely aimed at the Champion Hurdle, although we feel simply getting round would be the aim.
Other notable players in his team include DINOBLUE who will try defend her Mares’ Chase crown and KDB straight to the Arkle (after a Punchestown work out) with FLOP, sorry, FINAL DEMAND needing to rediscover form.
What about the new guns?
Mullins spoke highly of MIGHTY PARK (comparing him to FAUGHEEN) and says the Supreme will be his target although his form is very much up for debate with some.
In all, Mullins heads to Cheltenham with his customary depth and quality sprinkled with a lot of his magic. His ability to peak horses at the right moment has been a hallmark of his success, and he appears confident of having them “right on the day”. The wizard of Closutton will no doubt be the trainer every one has to beat — but as he himself notes, the beauty of Cheltenham is that nothing is guaranteed until the horses cross the line.
HEARTS FOR HARTY
Most of you reading this won’t have heard of Eddie Harty so let us enlighten you.
He had a helluva CV, a legendary Irish jockey, Olympian AND Grand National winner.
Sadly he recently passed away at the age of 88 but he death yesterday came just days after the loss of his beloved wife Patricia, with whom he was described as "inseparable."
Some might say he died of a broken heart.
Let’s check out his career, because it is INSANE.
Harty came from a renowned equestrian family. His father was Captain C.B. Harty, and he clearly passed his passion for horses on to sons Eddie Jr. and Eoin, both prominent trainers. Harty's career was ridiculously versatile, excelling in jumps racing, riding 268 winners in Britain alone where his most famous W came in the 1969 Grand National when partnering HIGHLAND VICTORY to victory after fortunate call up when regular rider Owen McNally was ruled out owed to a broken arm. This made him the ONLY person EVER to combine an Olympic appearance with a Grand National win.
His Olympic story saw him part of Ireland’s eventing team in the 1960 Rome Olympics. Not sure what eventing is? It’s a three day-er where riders compete in three disciplines for an average score - dressage, cross-country and then show jumping. It’s tough and requires an athlete of a horse but a great event to go watch, especially the cross-country - check it out at places likes Burghley Horse Trials if you can!
Harty’s life story alongside horses goes further than that. He also spent time working as a cowboy in America early in his career. Now, that is something we’re really jealous of.
What an amazing life. A true horseman! RIP Harty.
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