No trainer in history has had more winners at the Cheltenham Festival than Willie Mullins. The Irishman has recorded well over 100 triumphs, and he has extended his record at the 2025 meeting.
Kopek Des Bordes and Lossiemouth gave him a double on day one of this year’s meeting, while he saddled Lecky Watson, Jimmy Du Seuil and Bambino Fever to victory on day two.
Galopin Des Champs Bidding for Third Gold Cup
The week may get better for Mullins as his star chaser, Galopin Des Champs, is looking to win a third straight Gold Cup. The nine-year-old is 1/2 in the Cheltenham Festival 2025 odds to win the most prestigious race of the week.
After his impressive victory in the Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival, Mullins’ runner is now one of the leading horse racing tips for day four of the Cheltenham Festival. He will face just eight rivals in the 3m2f contest. A third win will see him replicate what the great Arkle and Best Mate achieved in the sport.
Mullins is also vying for a Gold Cup record himself. He will match legendary trainer Tom Dreaper for the most Gold Cup wins if he lands the feature race this year.
Kopek Des Bordes Has a Big Future
Following his impressive performance in the opening race of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, Kopek Des Bordes has shown he has a huge future. The unbeaten hurdler won his third straight race over hurdles, and his second at the highest level.
Mullins will now need to consider his next move for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner. That will likely be the Grand National Meeting at Aintree or the Punchestown Festival a few weeks later in Ireland.
The Champion Trainer will also need to discuss plans for next season with Kopek Des Bordes’ owners. If he stays over hurdles, he will take a path towards the Champion Hurdle. However, he could switch to fences and have a novice chase campaign, with the Arkle Trophy being his primary target.
Lecky Watson May Be a Gold Cup Horse Next Season
Mullins had four runners in this year’s Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, and although he will have been disappointed with the way his leading hope, Ballyburn, ran, it could be the race that has elevated Lecky Watson to stardom. Lecky Watson prevailed by four lengths ahead of fellow Irish runners Stellar Story and Better Days Ahead respectively. It was his first triumph at Grade One level, and it will leave his connections dreaming of a run in the 2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
A rematch with Ballyburn is likely to come at the Punchestown Festival, while next season, all the leading 3m chases in the UK and Ireland look set to be considered for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase winner. Mullins is on course to be crowned leading trainer at this year’s Cheltenham Festival, and he has shown, his dominance of the British meeting is unlikely to end any time soon.