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'Willie told us to wire the money - he didn't give us much information'
Alan Sweetman on the early years of the Arkle and Ryanair Chase hero
Members of the O'Connell family with Un De Sceaux after his win in the Ryanair ChaseCredit: Patrick McCann
Colm O'Connell vividly remembers the day in late-2012 when he took the phone call from Willie Mullins that initiated a remarkable racing odyssey.
O'Connell and his father Eddie were drinking coffee in Nash 19, a Cork cafe located near the city's famed English Market.
O'Connell recalls: "Willie said he'd found us a horse in France and told us to wire the money immediately. He didn't give us much information. He said he didn't know much about the sire and nothing about the dam."
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Published on inCheltenham Festival
Last updated
Copymore inCheltenham Festival
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more inCheltenham Festival
- Expert jury: which horse could emerge from Saturday as a potential Cheltenham Festival winner?
- WATCH: join Johnny Dineen and David Jennings for episode five of Upping The Ante featuring a selection for the Brown Advisory
- Who do you fancy for the Champion Chase after the weekend wins of Jonbon and Energumene?
- He looks a different animal altogether over fences and 16-1 is a big price for the Brown Advisory
- WATCH: join Johnny Dineen and David Jennings for episode four of Upping The Ante featuring a selection for the Arkle