Fabulous four in tip top return for legendary Willie Mullins

For loyal horse racing fans, it is almost that time of year again – particularly as we begin exiting the seriously abnormal heatwaves in 2026 that would pose a serious risk to anyone involved in the sport from spectators, to jockeys and the gorgeous animals themselves.

Parx Racing Betting Odds The New Focus

As we now head ever closer to the month of September, and punters begin seriously studying the Parx Racing Betting Odds, storied Irish horse trainer Willie Mullins is back in the racing pages and the 69 year old is feeling very confident once again, as he confirmed that his big four had now returned to undergo their pre season routines and with them ‘looking magnificent’ he was naturally planning on even more domination at the jumps.

The County Kilkenny native has far eclipsed his days as a jockey by taking in excess of 4000 career wins as a trainer, and as many will know he boasts a 19 time Irish National Hunt Champion record, as well as being the most successful trainer in the history of the Cheltenham Festival, saddling 121 winners as of this calendar year.

He is looking to build on that, and right now, he is focused on the Flat.

Upcoming wars

A war on two fronts beckons with the return of Galacticos Lossiemouth, Gaelic Warrior, Il Etait Temps and I Am Maximus, and between them Mullins’ fabulous four took in victories at the Champion Hurdle, Gold Cup, Champion Chase and Grand National in last season’s calendar.

Lossiemouth and Gaelic Warrior continue to be the clear favourites amongst the bookies to repeat their heroic successes at the Cheltenham Festival, Il Etait Temps remains the market leader to land a second Champion Chase, whilst I Am Maximus is still coming in at a short 8-1 to finally tie with Red Rum, and take a record levelling Grand National win hattrick.

They are undoubtedly the aims for the year and optimism and belief remains high that they can do just that, but for now it is the period of gently easing back to normality at Closutton following the summer break, and ensuring that the preparation work and build up is as nigh on perfect as it can possibly be.

Dusting off the cobweb

Giving the update for this return to work, Mullins explained that right now ‘walking and trotting’ was the order of the day to allow his talents to dust off the cobwebs, and that cantering would begin once we had ticked into September.

Pleasingly, I Am Maximus was the only one not summered on his own farm as he went to JP McManus’ stud Martinstown, but all four were in tip top order and short of a little sunburn they were in ‘good nick’ but he was in no need to rush them and was more than content with the progress so far.

We will simply have to see what the next few months bring when the real racing again begins once more, but there will be plenty of punters out there who are relishing the opportunity to see the foursome back in action as we head towards the next calendar year, and Mullins will be hoping, significantly more success.