'He must have some engine' - winners, magic memories and a remarkable recovery in Patrick Mullins' Christmas diary
The Racing Writer of the Year looks back on the key events at Leopardstown and Kempton
Patrick Mullins reflects on a cracking Christmas on both sides of the Irish Sea . . .
December 26
St Stephen’s Day. Leopardstown. Big crowd, big day. Paul Townend is at Kempton, so my cousin Danny and I have some juicy spares. While the cat is away, the mice will play.
I’m called down to the finish line by the stewards before the first race to discuss the visibility through the fog. We can see enough, I assure them. Checking again after the two maiden hurdles might be sensible. I jog back up to the weigh-room, zig-zagging through the crowd, to ride two short-priced favourites in said maiden hurdles.
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Published on inPatrick Mullins
Last updated
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- Two great warriors, the centre of the ring, dying seconds of the 12th - now that was a horse race
- No dogs chasing the horses, no trainer favouring telepathy over instructions - riding out for Harry Derham is rather different to Closutton
- Our bid for another jumps title is starting early - and I also think I was riding our next Cheltenham Gold Cup winner last season
- Drama at the Obstacle Anglais and a trip to the Infirmerie - it's just another Monday in Clairefontaine
- You’re Rachael Blackmore. You were relieved to get just one pro winner, you had to go up and down stairs on your hands and bum. But you did it all