Willie Mullins Considers Cheltenham Boycott Over Ground Conditions

Cheltenham Festival faced controversy on Thursday as leading trainer Willie Mullins threatened to withhold future participation over concerns regarding the state of the racecourse ground. The decision came after Mullins withdrew Fact To File from the Ryanair Chase, a race the horse won last year.

Fact To File Withdrawn From Key Race

The JP McManus-owned Fact To File was a strong favorite for the Ryanair Chase, but was ultimately pulled from the race shortly before the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle. Mullins explained the decision stemmed from a belief that the ground was too firm for his horse.

“We walked the track this morning, JP walked the track this morning, I happened to walk across the track from exercising horses and looking at Bambino Fever and the ground I thought, wow, this ground is going to be too solid for her.”

Willie Mullins, via Racing TV

Mullins noted that earlier observations indicated the ground might not be suitable, and that this concern was realized when another horse, Bambino Fever, struggled in the first race of the day.

Promises of Watering Unfulfilled

A key point of contention for Mullins was a perceived lack of promised watering of the course. He expressed his frustration, stating:

“We were promised watering and I’m not sure the watering we were promised has been done. I’m annoyed about that. I thought there was going to be more watering done and it hasn’t been done.”

Willie Mullins, via Sporting Life

Jon Pullin, the clerk of the course at Cheltenham Racecourse, stated that selective watering had taken place on the majority of the latest course to maintain a going of good, good to soft in places.

Future Participation in Doubt

Mullins’ frustration extended to a potential boycott of future Cheltenham Festivals if ground conditions don’t improve. He emphasized the difficulty in acquiring and maintaining horses of this caliber, and the need to protect their well-being.

“If the ground is going to be like this we’re not going to bring them. We think the ground is not good enough for the type of individual we are buying, we are trying to race. These horses are too hard to find, too hard to get.”

Willie Mullins, via Yahoo Sports

Mullins, the most successful trainer in Cheltenham history with 118 winners, added that he prefers softer ground for his horses.

Did you know?

Willie Mullins is the most successful trainer in Cheltenham Festival history.

Recent Festival Safety Concerns

The concerns over ground conditions come after two horses, Hansard and HMS Seahorse, tragically died on the opening two days of the 2026 Festival. However, all horses competing on Thursday completed the races safely.

FAQ

• Why was Fact To File withdrawn? Fact To File was withdrawn because Willie Mullins believed the ground was too hard for the horse.
• What is Willie Mullins threatening to do? Mullins is threatening to boycott the Cheltenham Festival if ground conditions do not improve.
• What did the clerk of the course say? Jon Pullin stated that selective watering had been carried out on the course.

The situation highlights the ongoing debate surrounding ground conditions at the Cheltenham Festival and the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of racehorses.