When it comes to the jumps racing world, it is Britain and Ireland that stand head and shoulders above the rest. Along with the best horses and jockeys in the sport, Britain, and Ireland are also blessed with the best trainers and horsemen in the racing game.
Ireland has become known as the home of the thoroughbred over the years, with the breeding industry and the nursing grounds of Point to Point racing producing huge amounts of future stars that have gone on to dominate the biggest races on the calendar.
Britain has also produced its fair share of top-class racehorses, although they are probably better known for having some of the best jump trainers that have the knack for taking young horses to the next level and helping them fulfill their potential.
Best In Britain
Paul Nicholls
If you are a follower of British racing and the latest racing tips, then you are sure to have heard of the legendary trainer, Paul Nicholls. A 12-time British Champion Jumps Trainer, Nicholls has overseen the careers of some of racing’s most successful horses, winning pretty much every prize on offer.
The late noughties was a particular period of success, with top equine talents such as Kauto Star, Denman, Masterminded, and Big Bucks dominating the top Grade 1’s on offer, including 3 Cheltenham Gold Cups, 2 Champion Chases, and 4 World Hurdles.
Nicholls is currently going through a rejuvenation period at the moment. He has spent the last few seasons rebuilding his squad of horses in search of some truly top-class animals, and lately, he has uncovered the likes of Bravemangame, Greaneteen, and Pic D’Ohry.
Nicky Henderson
At 72 years of age, most people would be settling into their retirement, but legendary jump trainer Nicky Henderson is not one of them. Henderson has played a huge part in British racing since taking out his training license in 1976 and, like Nicholls, he has won nearly every top prize available.
Training from his famous Seven Barrows Stable in Lambourn, Henderson has overseen the careers of legendary horses such as See You Then, Sprinter Sacre, Altior, and Buveur d’Air but, incredibly, has never won a Grand National.
Henderson has a knack for always having superstars coming through his ranks, and today is no different as he continues the Cheltenham Festival preparations for his stable stars, Constitution Hill, Shiskin, and Jonbon.
The Irish Master
Willie Mullins
When it comes to Irish jumps racing trainers, Willie Mullins, has been, and still is, the best around. Whether in his native land or across the Irish Sea in Britain, Mullins is the man they all must beat if they want to reach the top.
The legendary trainer has broken pretty much every record there is to break across the jumps racing sphere and has even crossed the divide to snap up some of the biggest flat races of the year. Mullins has a record 88 winners to his name at the Cheltenham Festival, with a record 10 of these coming last year.
Past greats to have passed through Mullins’s hands include legends such as Hurricane Fly, Quevega, Florida Pearl, Douvan, and Al Boum Photo amongst many, many more.
His current crop of stars includes Galopin Des Champs, Facile Vega, Energumene, and Allaho.
Cheltenham Is Coming
With the Cheltenham Festival now firmly on the horizon, it is worth keeping an eye on all three runners at jumps racing’s greatest show. All three will have very strong chances in all of the major races and are likely to go head-to-head throughout the week.
Of course, these three master trainers are not the only ones hoping for a Festival win but they are the ones to catch.
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