Speaking exclusively with BOYLE Sports , former Republic of Ireland forward Kevin Doyle who's actively involved in Horse Racing has backed one of the horses he's bred to be a success at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Doyle speaks about icons of the sport JP McManus and Willie Mullins comparing the latter's impact to Sir Alex Ferguson's in terms of both having the ability to be such successful managers in their respective fields.
The former striker previews the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, whether the Irish dominance of the event will continue, his festival tips and reflects on his experience attending the festival while he was an active footballer.
Dublin Racing Festival Tips
Dublin Racing Festival Tips
One of the horses I bred, Cousin Kate , is actually the favourite for one of the races. I'll be backing her, as I always back any horse I've bred when they run, even if it's usually a stupid thing to do. She won a couple of times over Christmas, and I think she's down to run at the Dublin Racing Festival . Looking past my own horses (though I won't really), I just saw the entries come out. The Dublin Racing Festival is usually the Willie Mullins show. Gordon Elliott did change that at Leopardstown over Christmas, but it's hard to look beyond Willie Mullins.
He usually dominates the Dublin Racing Festival , and I've just seen the horses he's lining up for it. Cousin Kate, for the Dublin Racing Festival , I think she's 6-1. She's a young filly, but she's won three or four races now, and I think it's a Listed Handicap, and her weight seems okay, so there you go. Cousin Kate in that race.
Horse Racing Legends
JP McManus
There's nearly not a trainer in Ireland or England that doesn't have one of his horses with him. He's just like the godfather of horse racing. Whether it's at the sales, whether it's breeding horses himself, or putting horses in training, he's just been around for so long, and he's a massive cog in the wheel of helping the industry be successful.
So, he's got a new retained jockey now as well, starting next year, Harry Cobden . Long may it continue. No one goes on forever, unfortunately, but he's, you know, for people who are into horse racing, for breeders, for race courses, for trainers, for everyone, he's been a massive, massive supporter.
Willie Is Racing’s Sir Alex!
He's like the Sir Alex Ferguson of horse racing. He's very humble; if you meet him, he has no airs and graces. He's just fabulous at his job. He has been so successful for so long in such a tough industry. There's not much I could say about him that hasn't already been said, but he's just a freak at being able to do his job exceptionally well.
There are so many different aspects to his job, and like a football manager, such as Sir Alex Ferguson , you have to be good at so many different things, not just coaching players. There are so many other things that go into it. Willie Mullins is the same; he has all those skills in his locker, at least from the outside looking in.
He has the ability to delegate, which I think is extremely vital when you're at the top. They're a relentless machine. This is when they usually really kick into gear. So with the Dublin Racing Festival coming up, you'll probably see them in full flow there.
Cheltenham 2026
Ireland’s Cheltenham Dominance
I personally have noticed a little bit of a change in the last year. Seeing horses at the sales, seeing where they're going, and seeing where some of the young horses that have won races and point-to-points are going, I think you'll see a shift.
I think a lot of English trainers and English owners are putting in a big effort. Because it's embarrassing for them when you come to Cheltenham for the last five or six years. It is embarrassing, it's your home turf, and Ireland is coming over, and it's not even a competition. It hasn't been, it's just been over after a couple of days of a four-day festival.
But I just noticed a slight change. I think it is going to, I think you're going to see it become a lot more even over the next few years. That's just my opinion. Maybe I'm totally wrong, but just seeing the trends of the sales and what's been sold where and where it's going, I think you'll see a bit more competition from English trainers going forward.
Will Irish Trainers Dominate Cheltenham 2026?
Cheltenham Festival Tips
“I might as well just promote my own! A horse called Amen Kate . I think she's in the Mares' Novice Hurdle. I looked at the preliminary entries; it's a hot race, but she's very good for a nice each-way bet in that, if she stays healthy and injury-free between now and then.
She's a mare, so it's the Mares' Novice Hurdle . She could be 33/1 or 40/1, but definitely worth an each-way bet at that.
Experiencing Cheltenham
I went with Reading a few times to celebrate good seasons, and I went with Wolves a few times to try and ignite our season because things weren't going well. So, I've had both experiences of going together, going on buses with teams and having good days out and different experiences.
Since I finished playing, I haven't been. Everyone tells me that in the last year or two, it's been a better experience there. I just felt it had gotten too busy and too mental. But in the last year or two, I've been told it was a really good experience there, especially last year.
Maybe I'll go again. I like going to my local pub and having one or two pints, watching the race and seeing everything. And I have my own horses to look after here, so it's harder to get away. But I'm sure I'll venture back again in the next few years.
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