2009: Rookie trainer Neil Mulholland is already making a name for himself, training winners over jumps and on the flat.
Before becoming a trainer, Neil was a successful jockey on both sides of the Irish Sea.
He joined Paul Keane in 2006 as stable jockey and then as assistant trainer before he took over the reins at Larkinglass Farm in Dorset last May when Keane decided to see the world. Eimear Chance met up with Neil to talk about the old days as a jockey and the new days as a trainer:
Who inspired you to be a jockey?
Conor O’Dwyer. [Irish jockey who won the 1996 Cheltenham Gold Cup and is now a trainer]
Who have you learnt the most from during your career in racing?
Aidan O’Brien. [Neil served a three-year apprenticeship with this trainer.]
What was your best moment as a jockey?
It was winning the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown on Call Me Dara for Robert Tyner.
What is your biggest ambition as trainer?
To be as successful as possible and to be the best I can be.
What has been your worst moment in racing?
It has to be when I mistook the winning post at Wincanton and dropped my hands – and was beaten a short head!
How do you relax after a bad day?
I go home, watch TV and then go to bed.
What is the first thing you would do if you won the Lottery?
I would get out of racing, no joking! I would buy a holiday home abroad.
What is your favourite holiday destination?
I love going skiing in Mirabel.
Where would you like to see yourself in ten years?
I would like to be a successful trainer and of course I want to be happy!
Allison is the Publisher of Eclipse Magazine. She loves going to the Races and is learning to bet (despite being officially the worst bettor in the History of the Universe), there’s a lot more to learn…
