Royal Runner is Mullins’ latest first
This morning brought an intriguing surprise for many, as the Irish Field reported that the King and Queen have officially joined the list of owners at Willie Mullins’s renowned stable in Ireland.
The horse in question, Reaching High, a four-year-old gelding previously trained by the now-retired Sir Michael Stoute, has moved to Mullins’s operation in Closutton, County Carlow. He is set to compete in a 12-furlong handicap at Leopardstown this Friday evening, with Jody Townend, the youngest sister of Mullins’s stable jockey, Paul, lined up to ride.
The late Queen Elizabeth II bred Reaching High from her favorite racehorse, the Ascot Gold Cup-winning Estimate. Throughout her 70 years as a racehorse owner, she had a handful of runners in Ireland, including the notable Carlton House, who was a 5-4 favorite but finished fourth in the Irish Derby in 2011. However, all her horses were stabled in British yards.
With Reaching High, this marks the first time a horse from an Irish yard will carry the famous royal colors. From certain perspectives, this could be perceived as a slight jab at the British training community, especially since both the champions on the Flat, Aidan O’Brien, and over jumps, Mullins, are now located in Ireland.
Mullins mentioned in an interview that he and his wife, Jackie, met King Charles and Queen Camilla last year at Royal Ascot. Shortly after, he received a call asking if he would like to train for them, to which he happily agreed. It seems like a pretty exciting moment.
While Reaching High has shown promise in hurdles, his debut for the stable will be in the flat, potentially in the Ascot Stakes next month during Royal Ascot.
“All of his bloodlines suggest stamina,” Mullins commented. “So, that type of race could very well suit him.”
