Irish trainer, Willie Mullins, dominated the 2023/24 British Jumps season. He was not only crowned the Champion Trainer, but he had major victories in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National.
Mullins goes into the latest campaign with one of the biggest stables he has ever had. He is set to target all the major meetings in the UK and Ireland this year. His goal will be to better what he achieved last season.
Galopin Des Champs On Course for Hat-Trick Attempt
Leading 3m chaser Galopin Des Champs will head to the Cheltenham Festival next year bidding to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup for a third straight year. He is currently 7/2 in the Cheltenham betting to land the feature race of the week.
As the racing results show, Mullins’ stable star prevailed in the Blue Riband event in the sport earlier this year by just over three lengths, beating Gerri Colombe, who had to settle for second place.
The victory at Cheltenham was his third Grade One triumph of the campaign, as he also scored in the Savills Chase and Irish Gold Cup. Mullins will be hoping his eight-year-old chaser can dominate his division once again. His opening appearance of the season is likely to come in the John Duran Memorial Punchestown Chase in November.
The Grand National the Plan Again for I Am Maximus

The British Champion Trainer has confirmed that I Am Maximus will head to Aintree again in April, where he will be vying to become just the second horse in the last 50 years to defend his crown in the Grand National.
Tiger Roll managed to second consecutive Grand National in 2019, but champions have often struggled in the world’s most famous steeplechase when they return the following year. The nine-year-old is likely to have much weight on his back in April, as his official rating is now as high as 169.
Mullins has revealed that the Savills Chase, Irish Gold Cup, Bobbyjo Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup are all under consideration for his Grand National winner before he defends his crown in the final month of the season. The Irishman is looking for his third win in the Aintree feature, as he was also successful in the marathon contest in 2005 with Hedgehunter.
New Recruits Set to Feature This Season
The Irish trainer welcomed some new horses into his yard during the summer, including Leader Des Bordes, who cost $210,000 at the sales. He is a well-bred French horse who could be set for a big season.
Arslan is another horse who caught the eye at the sales when he was sold for $180,000 back in the summer. His sole appearance on the track so far came in a point-to-point contest at Tralee. He finished second on his debut, going down by just a length.
Mullins has had a lot of success in the novice races at the Cheltenham Festival in recent years. He will be hoping to keep that impressive record going this season.
The 2025 Cheltenham Festival is scheduled for 11th-15th March, and it is the biggest week of the season in Jumps racing.