Willie Mullins Sends ‘Seriously Promising’ Cheltenham-Winning Horse to Renowned Owner After Trainer Closes Yard
WILLIE MULLINS has received a ‘seriously promising’ horse who has won at Cheltenham, following the immediate closure of his previous trainer’s yard.
The seven-year-old, Brechin Castle, triumphed in a Listed bumper at Cheltenham in November 2023.
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He secured that victory after dominating his competition by 14 lengths on his rules debut at Sedgefield the preceding month.
Owned by Roger, Ben’s father, Brechin Castle was also entered for another Listed bumper at Ascot, where he finished second as the 9-4 favorite, conceding 11lbs to winner Let It Rain.
Since then, he hasn’t raced and is expected to transition to novice hurdling as an eight-year-old.
He couldn’t be in better hands as he joins Mullins at Closutton.
Brookhouse, whose father owned 2018 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle champion Summerville Boy and 2014 Arkle victor Western Warhorse, has closed his Newmarket yard and sold all his horses.
He plans to relaunch his operation in Warwick next year, although without his stable star, who is noted for his ‘sparkling turn of foot.’
In a statement to the Racing Post, he remarked: “My Dad has horses with Henry de Bromhead and Willie Mullins in Ireland, and I believe Brechin Castle will be going to Willie.”
“He faced a setback while getting ready for Cheltenham last year, but we’ve allowed plenty of time for recovery, so we’re hopeful he can return to form.”
As a Shantou gelding, Brechin Castle hails from the same lineage as Grade 1 winners The Storyteller, Stay Away Fay, and Death Duty, making him one of the older novices next season.
Despite a pedigree that indicates a preference for distance—his damsire Old Vic sired Gold Cup winner Kicking King and Grand National champion Don’t Push It—his victories in bumpers suggest he has the pace for two-mile races.
The last eight-year-old to clinch the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle was Like-A-Butterfly, trained by Christy Roche and ridden by Charlie Swan in 2002.
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