WILLIE MULLINS has snapped up a ‘promising’ new jockey – as an army of new recruits start arriving at his Closutton HQ.
Anna McGuinness banged in her first winner for the all-conquering trainer with victory aboard the JP McManus-owned I Am River at Kilbeggan on Sunday.
Anna McGuinness has joined the Closutton riding ranks and banged in a winner for Willie Mullins – which could open the door to a load more rides in the futureGetty
PAThe biggest trainer in the sport is spending the summer replenishing his enormous squad ready for the new National Hunt season[/caption]
Sent off 15-8, the six-year-old made all after 517 days off to win by two-and-a-quarter lengths from Gavin Cromwell’s 100-30 In The Trenches.
McGuinness came in for praise from McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry afterwards.
And this success could pave the way to a whole load more rides in the future.
She got the leg up on Mullins’ A Penny A Hundred in the recent Mayo National at Ballinrobe, finishing third and picking up a cheque for £7,500.
Victory on I Am River came on just her third ride for Mullins – who keeps a close eye on Anna when she rides work at his Cork yard.
Beaming Berry said: “The horse jumped great and got a lovely ride from Anna.
“She got him into a lovely rhythm, and you’d be delighted with him.
“Anna is riding out in Willie’s and finished third in the Mayo National and couldn’t have done better.”
Incredibly, McGuinness’ first ever win came on freak 150-1 outsider Feast in a Downpatrick bumper in July 2023.
Labelled a very ‘promising’ conditional rider, McGuinness has three career wins but will surely bang in a load more given the chance.
Her addition to Mullins‘ jockey ranks comes as he continues to add fresh talent to his massive squad of horses.
Among them is £125,000 point-to-point purchase Bentraghhill.
Mullins’ trusted right-hand man Harold Kirk gave the winning bid for the ‘gorgeous’ four-year-old at the sales last week.
He comes from Wilson Dennison, who previously owned Mullins stars Yorkhill, Shaneshill and Bellshill.
Meanwhile, Audrey Turley, who owns Galopin Des Champs, has sent Looking For Eight to Mullins.
And point-to-point winner Arcadian Emperor is another to have arrived recently.
That lot will be joined by Mullins’ £300,000 purchase and Cheltenham bumper winner Poetisa.
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