Trainer Analysis
W P Mullins

Detailed trainer analysis for Willie Mullins at the Cheltenham Festival
* note all data is from 2016 unless otherwise stated.

W P Mullins
Ireland

BIO

With 121 winners (80 since 2016), by far the most successful trainer at Prestbury Park. His son, Patrick rode his 100th winner on Jasmin De Vaux in the bumper in 2024. He has also recorded a record 10 wins in 2022 and in 2025.

In the last five years he has averaged almost 9 winners at the Festival with an average strike rate of over 11%.

Mullins best year was in 2022 when he had those ten winners at a strike rate of 15.9% by far his highest in the last decade.

FESTIVAL WINS

STRIKE RATE

11.4%

PROFIT (LOSS)

(£50)

WINS & STRIKE RATE BY YEAR

Winners and strike rate data for Willie Mullins

WINS & STRIKE RATE ANALYSIS

Although Mullins average in the last eleven Festivals is just over seven winners, this has increased to almost nine on average for the last five renewals. The strike rate has only marginally increased though from 11.4% overall to 11.9% in the last five festivals. When looking at the detail, from 2017 to 2021, Mullins sent 277 horses to Prestbury Park. In the last five years he has sent 364 horses, an increase of over 30%.

Pulse Verdict:

Mullins Festival record, in terms of average winners, has strengthened in the last five years. However, the strike rate has only increased marginally to just under 12%.

MOST SUCCESSFUL FESTIVAL RACES

Arkle Challenge Trophy

Triumph Hurdle

Champion Bumper

Gold Cup

County Hurdle

WINNERS BY RACE TYPE

PULSE STOPPER

Mullins is 0/36 in Handicap Chases

Since 2016 Mullins has sent out 178 horses in handicaps at the festival. He has had just 8 winners (4.5% strike rate). All winners were over hurdles - five of which were in the County hurdle.

Pulse Stopper Verdict:

Mullins exceptional Festival record has not extended to handicap chases. He is 0/36 since 2016 whilst all eight of his Festival handicap wins have been over hurdles.

PULSE INSIGHTS

Of the 204 runners Mullins has sent chasing, 120 were French-bred. Mullins has had 34 chase winners since 2016, of which 24 were French-bred. This means that Mullins has a 20% strike rate with French-bred chasers in the last eleven years at the Festival. Non-French-bred chasers are 10 wins from 84, a strike rate of 11.9%.

Taking this a step further and avoiding the handicap chases, French-bred chasers are 24 winners from 106 runners - a strike rate of 22.6%

Pulse Insights Verdict:

Mullins French-bred chasers have produced almost twice the strike rate of his non-French-bred chasers, rising to 22.6% when handicap chases are excluded.

PULSE EDGE

Of Mullins' 80 Festival winners since 2016, 38 have been ridden by Paul Townend.

Townend has ridden 174 times for Mullins giving him a strike rate of almost 22%.

Of these rides there were 56 favourites on which he has won 22 times at average odds slightly above 2/1 – generating a profit of around £10 to a £1 level stake.

Taking his handicap rides since 2022 it’s a 43% strike rate (3 from 7) and a profit of almost £15 to a £1 level stake. Note this is a small sample size.

Pulse Edge Verdict:

Mullins and Townend partnership has produced a positive SP return even when not favourite, with 16 wins from 118 rides and a £33.40 level stakes profit.

PULSE VERDICT

Mullins Arkle record stands apart

Although Mullins has won the Arkle, Triumph and Champion Bumper all six times his strike rates in these races is markedly different.

Mullins strike rate in the Arkle is exceptional, six winners from nineteen runners, a 31.6% strike rate. His six Triumph winners were from fifty-three runners (S/R 11.3%) and the six Champion Bumpers from fifty-eight runners (S/R 10.3%).

PULSE SUMMARY

Pulse Rate

Arkle 6/19 | 31.6%

Pulse Stopper

Handicap Chases 0/36 | 0%

Pulse Insight

French-bred Chasers 20% v 11.9%

Pulse Edge

Mullins x Townend +£33.40 to £1 level stakes on non-favourite rides

ALL DATA FROM 2016 UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

LAST UPDATED SEPT 2026

Trainer Analysis W P Mullins

Detailed trainer analysis for Willie Mullins at the Cheltenham Festival * note all data is from 2016 unless otherwise stated.

W P Mullins Ireland

BIO