Racing loses a great in Paddy Mullins. R.I.P.

Tributes to 'legend' Paddy Mullins flood in

HEARTFELT tributes to the legendary Paddy Mullins have followed the news of his death on Thursday morning.

The trainer of Dawn Run, the only horse ever to win both the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup, passed away aged 91 and some of his friends and rivals down the years were quick to reveal their regard for one of the true greats of Irish racing.

"Firstly, my sympathy goes to Maureen and his family. He was a great friend of mine for a long number of years and he was a top-class trainer," said trainer Jim Bolger.

"He was a better stayer than any of the stayers he trained and his attention to detail was key. His visits to the stables each night were legendary - he was very much a full-time trainer - and he was very focused on what he was doing.

"I didn't know the late Tom Dreaper, but I knew Paddy Prendergast well and Vincent O'Brien. Paddy Mullins belongs in the same sentence as those men. He was a great family man anda complete human being."

Trainer Noel Meade simply described Mullins as a "legend". He had, Meade said, left "an incredible dynasty behind him".

"He was a genius of a horseman and he probably changed the system of training in Ireland with the interval training he pioneered. He was always able to give a bit of advice and he amazed everybody with what he could achieve with his horses," added Meade.

Trainer Kevin Prendergast described Mullins as "a great friend".

He added: "I rode for him for years and he was a great man - very inoffensive and one of the greats."

Trainer and television commentator Ted Walsh added that Mullins was a man whom he and his peers all looked up to.

"He was self-made - a farmer's son who did it his own way. From a five furlong winner at Baldoyle to an Irish National winner, they all came the same to Paddy. He found success with every type of horse.

"He was a great family man who had a true partner in Maureen and I've no doubt if he had a better quality of Flat horses, he'd have been even more successful in that sphere."

Walsh added: "Paddy knew the game inside out; pedigree, what a racehorse should look like, what they were and what they were not. He lived for it and his son Willie could end up being an even better trainer than his father."