There was an emotional farewell at Willie Mullins’ yard in Closutton on Tuesday when one of the stable’s biggest legends left to enjoy his retirement. Dual Champion Chase hero Energumene won 14 of his 23 races under Mullins’ care having first run for the stable in 2019. The 12-year-old had his last ever race at the recent Punchestown Festival , finishing third to stablemate Il Etait Temps, and leaves Cloustton as one of the most successful horses 69-year-old Mullins has ever trained. The Tony Bloom-owned
gelding won an incredible €1.4 million in prize-money during his career, the undoubted highlights being his wins in the 2021 and 2022 Queen Mother Champion Chases at the Cheltenham Festival. He won six Six Grade One races in total and his 2022 Clarence House clash and narrow defeat to Shishkin will go down as one of the most memorable races of the decade. Before moving to Carlow , he had made one winning start for UK-based trainer Sophie Lacey in a point-to-point at Larkhill before
a private transfer to owner and fearless punter Bloom, who also owns Brighton FC and Hearts . His final success at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival last month was one of the most popular of the season, rolling back the years to capture an unlikely triumph in the €100,000 Grade Two Underwriting Exchange Chase. Jockey Paul Townend , who was on board for all bar one of his 14 wins, described the son of Denham Red as “a horse of a lifetime.” “He was a star
of a horse,” he said. “He was a joy and will be hard to replace.” He provided Mullins with his first win in the Champion Chase and he added: “He gave us a great day out at Fairyhouse the last day, he rolled back the years.” “I don’t know what he’s on at 12 years of age but I’m going to get some of it!” said Mullins. Mullins named Energumene’s first Champion Chase win at Cheltenham as his favourite memory adding: “He’s a huge big
horse, a strong horse, probably not one you’d think would be a Champion Chaser looking at the size of him – you’d think he might be more a three-mile chaser. The fact that he had that speed and ability to jump marked him out.” Energumene was bought for €50,000 as a store at the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale before winning his point-to-point and made his debut for Mullins when third in a bumper at Navan in November 2019. Mullins posted pictures of Energumene before his
departure from Closutton with his groom Imran Haider, jockey Townend and members of his staff. One reply said: “Happy retirement to that beautiful boy. He’s done all his connections and his many fans are proud.” Click here to sign up to our racing newsletter for the latest news and tips from the biggest meets .
Energumene, Willie Mullins, Closutton, Champion Chase, Punchestown Festival, Cheltenham Festival, Tony Bloom, Paul Townend, Fairyhouse Easter Festival