Carlow native Patrick Mullins has become the most successlful amateur jockey ever.
Mullins, 28, picked up his 546th career winn on board 4-7 favourite Queen Boulevard at Sligo on Sunday. Queen Boulevard as also trained by his father, Willie.
Embarking on his riding career at the tail end of 2005, Mullins would collect his first winner on board the Willie Mullins-trained Diego Garcia, June 17 2006. His 500th career win came at Listowel in September last year, taking Brahma Bull all the way.
“It’s something I’m very proud of. When you start riding you want to ride your first winner, then you want to ride out your 7lb claim, then ride out your claim, so I never dreamed of doing something like this”, said Mullins in the wake of Sunday’s win at Sligo.
“When I was growing up, you know, my father always talked of Ted Walsh with such respect, with everything he had achieve. To be able to match Ted is something I’m very proud of. Obviously I’m incredibly privileged.”
“I’m standing on the shoulders of what my father and mother built in Closutton and obvioulsy the foundation was set by my grandparents in Doninga. I’m just trying to make the most of every opportunity I can get.”
He’s no stranger to breaking records too, in 2012 breaking the number of winners for an amateur rider in a calendar year with 74. He also claimed his tenth champion amateur crown in the 2017/18 season with 57 winners to his name.
