'It's great to see the sport getting a look in' - Willie Mullins named Manager of the Year at RTE Sports Awards

Willie Mullins has hailed the fact horseracing was recognised at the RTE Sports Awards after he was named Manager of the Year at a ceremony in Donnybrook on Sunday evening following a record-breaking season, which culminated in him becoming the first Irish-based trainer to be champion jumps trainer in Britain since 1954.

Racing participants were well represented in the category, which recognises the manager who is thought to have made the biggest contribution to Irish sport during the year. Aidan O'Brien, who won the award in 2017, was also nominated, as was last year's winner Andy Farrell, who is head coach of the Irish rugby team.

All-Ireland winners Kieran McGeeney, Brian Lohan, Ger Manley, joint-managers Declan Quill and Darragh Long, along with Shelbourne FC manager and former Irish international football player Damien Duff, completed the list of nominees.

It was a phenomenal year for Mullins' Closutton operation as the perennial Irish champion trainer became the first to saddle 100 winners at the Cheltenham Festival when Jasmin De Vaux took the Champion Bumper under his son Patrick in March. I Am Maximus then gave Mullins a second Grand National winner at Aintree when steered to success by Paul Townend, which set the wheels in motion for an assault on the British trainers' championship.

Mullins went into an almost insurmountable lead over his nearest pursuer Dan Skelton when Macdermott won the Scottish Grand National at Ayr on April 20 and was confirmed as the champion at Sandown's end-of-season finale seven days later, emulating the great Vincent O'Brien who landed back-to-back wins in 1952-53 and 1953-54.

Speaking at Naas the day after receiving the accolade, Mullins said: "I was delighted to get the award and delighted for racing. You can't be a good manager unless you have good people behind you so it was great for everyone in Closutton and our owners. 

"You need to have something to manage so it's great to have the horses and the owners that we have. You always feel that racing mightn't be the most popular sport at these sport stars awards but it's great to see the sport getting a look in."

Mullins was presented with the award by his former stable jockey Ruby Walsh. He said to Walsh as he accepted the trophy: "Paul [Townend] saw you getting up on the podium and he gave me a kick but I didn't know why he was kicking me as I had my back to you!"

Mullins added: "I'm totally surprised, when I see what managers were up there and what they have achieved."

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