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'It's been a fairytale!' - meet the man behind the Minella production line
Brian Sheerin talks to the hotelier who sourced Minella Indo and many more stars
What do Santa Claus and Minella Indo have in common? Bloodstock supremo and hotelier John Nallen believes the answer is a simple one: they both deliver once a year.
The reigning Gold Cup champion is two from three at Cheltenham and, according to the man who sourced him as a foal, is a shade unfortunate not to be defending an unbeaten record at the track when he bids to retain his crown this month.
Nallen, who owns and operates the Minella Hotel in Clonmel with his sister Elizabeth as well as being a renowned producer of jumps prospects, believes the best horse he has ever had through his hands should not be underestimated back at his most prolific hunting ground, despite being beaten on all three starts this season and failing to win since that memorable and magical Gold Cup triumph.
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- 'I've never paid six figures for a horse and never will - I learned pretty quickly you're only one phone call away from f*** all'
- 'I’ve trained some fabulous horses, worked with some excellent riders - maybe I have brought a little bit of talent to the table as well'
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- 'He must have his breakfast earlier than Willie does' - Patrick Mullins goes behind enemy lines at Gordon Elliott's yard
- 'You can see why people end up struggling - when you're trying to pay the electric bill, losing one ride can be massive'
- 'I've never paid six figures for a horse and never will - I learned pretty quickly you're only one phone call away from f*** all'
- 'I’ve trained some fabulous horses, worked with some excellent riders - maybe I have brought a little bit of talent to the table as well'
- ‘When you’re in the moment and you’re starved, you’re ready to explode - everything built up and I just lost my s**t’
- 'He must have his breakfast earlier than Willie does' - Patrick Mullins goes behind enemy lines at Gordon Elliott's yard