'The big days are what it's all about' - Danny Mullins ticks another one off the bucket list with Grade 1 winner at Saratoga

Danny Mullins said he relished the pressure of the big days after scoring for the first time at Saratoga in the Grade 1 AP Smithwick Memorial Handicap Hurdle with Historic Heart on Wednesday evening.

The jockey has been a regular in the US, riding for a variety of trainers, and landed the American Grand National in 2017 aboard Mr Hot Stuff for Jack Fisher.

Historic Heart, who was previously trained in Britain by Nigel Hawke and ran in the Triumph Hurdle in 2021, finished runner-up under Mullins in the same race two years ago when chasing home Belfast Banter, but he went one better this year in the £150,000 contest run over 2m3f, with Mullins galvanising him to a nose victory over Proven Innocent.

Speaking on Thursday, Mullins, who made the 3,150-mile trip back in time for two mounts on Wexford's evening card, said: "It was my first winner at Saratoga so it was great. It's a gorgeous track, a mile left-handed flat and a great spot. I've ridden in most of those races and I've been going there over ten years now so I've a good handle on it at this stage. 

"The big days are great over there and it's great prize-money. Riding under pressure on those days is what it's all about. I'm busy through the summer in Ireland here as well and it's important to get back for the likes of Wexford today, but the big days are what it's all about."

Reflecting on the day, he added: "He was tough and the race worked out quite well. You get a great reception coming back in. It's Saratoga's main meet and it's the place everyone from New York City wants to be. You'd see the racegoers going in from seven in the morning until ten to get their pitch and the track closes for an hour until the official opening at 11. There's a great vibe around."

Read more here

'It'll be a bit of a culture shock, but it's about improving myself' - David Probert on the challenge he faces in Hong Kong 

'Things didn't happen overnight but I'm getting opportunities and making them work' - Ben Curtis seeks Grade 1 breakthrough after strong US start 

David Probert becomes the latest British jockey to head to Hong Kong on a part-season licence  

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.