{"id":100759,"date":"2025-05-14T12:25:17","date_gmt":"2025-05-14T12:25:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/100759\/"},"modified":"2025-05-14T12:25:17","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T12:25:17","slug":"king-charles-and-willie-mullins-strike-historic-deal-over-impressive-horse-bred-by-his-late-mum-queen-elizabeth-ii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/100759\/","title":{"rendered":"King Charles and Willie Mullins strike historic deal over ‘impressive’ horse bred by his late mum Queen Elizabeth II"},"content":{"rendered":"

KING Charles and Willie Mullins have struck an historic deal – which will see the legendary handler train a hugely ‘impressive’ horse bred by the monarch’s late mum.<\/p>\n

The amazing link-up, reported by The Irish Field<\/a>, means Mullins will look after the brilliantly-bred Reaching High in a first-of-its-kind agreement.<\/p>\n

\"Queen<\/a><\/p>\n

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Queen Camilla and King Charles III will be the first reigning monarchs to have a horse trained in Ireland – after striking a deal with legendary handler Willie MullinsCredit: Getty\"Jockey<\/a><\/p>\n

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Willie Mullins, alongside wife Jackie, left, is the biggest name in racing and his wins this year include the Grand National, where son Patrick, middle, rode 33-1 Nick Rockett to glory at AintreeCredit: PA\"Horse<\/a><\/p>\n

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Reaching High demolished rivals on his only win to date<\/p>\n

It is believed Reaching High will be the first horse ever owned by a reigning monarch to be trained in Ireland.<\/p>\n

Formerly with the now-retired Sir Michael Stoute, Reaching High blew punters away with a seven-length rout of rivals in the Racing League at Wolverhampton last August.<\/p>\n

That was his sole win in eight starts – but it looks like there is so much more to come from the four-year-old gelding.<\/p>\n

And King Charles and Mullins<\/a> – who was crowned Irish and British champion jumps trainer last season<\/a> – are targeting Royal Ascot.<\/p>\n

Reaching High’s mum is Estimate, the late Queen’s favourite horse who won the Ascot Gold Cup in 2013.<\/p>\n

Video of Queen Elizabeth II celebrating the monumental victory<\/a> alongside trusted confidante and racing adviser John Warren was played the world over.<\/p>\n

And Reaching High’s dad is none other than the awesome Sea The Stars – one of the greatest racehorses ever who won the 2000 Guineas, Derby, Coral-Eclipse, Juddmonte, Irish Champion Stakes and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 2009.<\/p>\n

Mullins said he and King Charles, who owns horses alongside wife Queen Camilla, were introduced at last year’s Royal Ascot.<\/p>\n

And a deal was done then that would ultimately lead to him being sent the hugely promising Reaching High.<\/p>\n

Mullins – who could gatecrash the Gold Cup with another \u00a3100,000 monster<\/a> – told The Irish Field that they have already set out which race at Royal Ascot they want to win.<\/p>\n

That’s providing all goes well with his debut at Leopardstown on Friday, when he will be ridden by Champion Bumper winner Jody Townend, sister to Mullins’ No1 jockey Paul.<\/p>\n

Mullins, whose wins in Britain this year included the Grand National, where he had the 1-2-3 at Aintree, said: “He could be a contender for the Ascot Stakes over two-and-a-half miles on the opening day of Royal Ascot.<\/p>\n

“His pedigree is all stamina so those kind of races should suit him.”<\/p>\n

King Charles actually rode at Cheltenham Festival but the Royal runners have tended to focus on the Flat.<\/p>\n

Of them, Estimate was by far the best but the King and Queen did have big success in 2023 with Desert Hero.<\/p>\n

Alsy by Sea The Stars and bred by the late Queen, he was a thrilling 18-1 Royal Ascot winner, reducing the King to tears<\/a>.<\/p>\n

He then won the Group 3 Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood before finishing third in the St Leger – the final Classic of the season – at Doncaster.<\/p>\n

There had been fears King Charles would drastically cut back the multi-million pound Royal racing operation<\/a> after he inherited it.<\/p>\n

But Queen Camilla remains a huge supporter of the sport and the couple still have a lot of horses in training with the likes of Nicky Henderson over jumps and William Haggas, Ralph Beckett and John and Thady Gosden on the Flat.<\/p>\n

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