THE DEATH HAS been announced this morning of the former horse racing trainer Paddy Mullins. He was 91.

In a career that spanned 52 years, Mullins’ first winner was Flash Parade in the La Touche Memorial Cup at Punchestown in April 1953.

Reports RTÉ Racing:

He saddled countless big-race winners on the Flat and over jumps during an illustrious career which belatedly included a first Classic success with Vintage Tipple in the 2003 Irish Oaks.

Later that year he added a memorable Galway Plate success with Nearly A Moose, a race he also won in 1986 with Boro Quarter.

Other wins included Counsel Cottage in the 1977 Sun Alliance Novices’ Hurdle and Hazy Dawn in the 1982 National Hunt Chase. Mullins won that race for the second time in 1984 with Mack’s Friendly, partnered by his son Willie. Herring Gull’s victory in the 1968 Totalisator Champion (now Royal & SunAlliance) Novices’ Chase was the first Cheltenham Festival success for the Goresbridge maestro.

Paddy Mullins is the father of well-known trainers Willie Tom and Tony.