Racing royalty meets actual royalty: King Charles and Queen Camilla to have first runner with Willie Mullins

Willie Mullins will saddle a first runner for the King and Queen when Reaching High competes at Leopardstown on Friday, a new link-up that is being described as "a bit of fun" by John Warren, the royal bloodstock and racing adviser.

The four-year-old is owned by King Charles III and Queen Camilla and will make his stable debut for Closutton in the 1m4f lady riders' handicap (8.30), having been trained by Sir Michael Stoute before his retirement last year. Champion Bumper-winning rider Jody Townend has been booked.

Warren outlined the origins of the connection and explained that the intention is for the son of Sea The Stars to develop into a jumps prospect for the British and Irish champion trainer.

Reaching High: new recruit for Willie MullinsCredit: Edward Whitaker

“It’s going to be a bit of fun," he told the Nick Luck Podcast. "I think the King and Queen are looking forward to having a horse run in Ireland for the first time and this horse might just be a nice prospect that could develop into a National Hunt horse. 

“He’s out of Estimate, a Gold Cup winner, so stamina might be his game. He was trained very well by Sir Michael Stoute last year and when Sir Michael packed up we thought it would be worthwhile looking at who could do a dual-purpose job for him and the Queen. 

"The Queen met William on a number of occasions at Cheltenham and thought he was charming and wonderful and keeps having more and more winners the whole time, so the King and Queen were keen to send him to be trained in Ireland."

Warren suggested that more immediate plans pointed to Royal Ascot. He added: “He’s rated 92 officially at the moment, but he’s not been tested over distances, so we’re going to try and see what happens as he matures and what he’s like once he can pick his legs up and be told how to jump.

John Warren: "The King and Queen were keen to send him to be trained in Ireland"Credit: Laura Green

“I think what we’re hoping to find out now is whether or not he can be a bit of a dual-purpose horse, see how he progresses in his first couple of starts, see whether he’s an Ascot handicap horse potentially. 

“But the whole idea of sending a horse to Ireland is of great interest to the King, and the Queen really engaged very well with Willie and hopefully they can have a bit of fun on this little journey."

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