In an exclusive interview with BoyleSports, jockey Sean O’Keeffe has given his take on what is the secret to the success of Wille Mullins.
O’Keeffe, who rode Galopin Des Champs to his first Cheltenham success in the Martin Pipe in 2021, also gave his insight into what the Dublin Racing Festival means to jockeys and what it’s like to ride a winner in the festival.
Plus, he reveals what he gets up to in his life outside of racing.
Remember, you can bet on Cheltenham Gold Cup odds at BoyleSports
The Secret To Willie Mullins’ Dominance
I suppose the fact he doesn’t seem to have any stone left unturned, the attention to detail in every horse, it is all trained individually as to what they need to be doing or what needs to be changed. Everything is checked over, that’s kind of it, he seems to get the best out of each horse he has.
It is an amazing yard to be involved in, there are so many good horses you can ride out if they are in other yards they would be a superstar. The achievements speak for themselves, there is a reason he has so many horses and can do the best with them, winning all the big races.
*Willie Mullins-trained Galopin Des Champs is the favourite to win a 3rd consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Galopin Des Champs to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup – 2/5
What It Means to Ride A Winner at the Dublin Racing Festival
It’s going well enough. The last couple of years have been a bit quieter than the couple of years before that but things seem to be getting on well this year, hopefully, we can keep right and keep riding a few winners, winners like the big days like the Dublin Racing Festival can make your year.
It was a great festival again this year, good racing and the prize money is great, it is definitely a great initiative to set up and it is one of the weekends that you look forward to all year. You always hope to get rides there, it was great to get a winner on a day like that.
A lot of Willie’s will be working towards Cheltenham, some big names do sidestep it maybe waiting for the Festival but there are still plenty of big races at the DRF so whenever anyone gets there, they are not thinking about Cheltenham on the day, maybe straight after though!
Life Outside of Racing
I watch a lot of sports, especially during the winter. I follow soccer a good bit, whatever sport is on the tele, and I play a little bit of golf in the summer. I'm off 18 so I just get around and am average enough!
It is hard to find time in the winter, it is mostly racing, it’s just watching other sports really. Arsenal are my team, it has been better the last couple of years but frustrating at the same time!
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