Rockyaboya (left) and Patrick Mullins, carrying his own colours © Photo Healy Racing
Patrick Mullins added another feather to his bow at Punchestown today when Rockyaboya carried the record breaking Champion Amateur Jockey to his first winner as an owner, in the Follow Us On Facebook & Twitter Handicap Hurdle.
Mullins, who broke Billy Parkinson's 97 year old record for winners ridden in a calendar year by an amateur rider in December, does well breaking new ground and this venture into racehorse ownership will have provided much satisfaction for the five times Champion Amateur.
Mullins, whose Celtic Wish was his first and only previous runner as an owner when unplaced at Tramore on New Year's day, made the running on Rockyaboya and while helped by the fall of Leggy Lad (disputing the lead but under pressure) at the final flight, battled well on the run-in. Paco Jack under Paul Townend, finished strongly but failed by a nose to catch Rockyaboya.
Rockyaboya is also trained by the jockey's father Willie Mullins (recording a double on the day) who later joked “the owner insisted in running here and he was right!
“Rockyaboya seems to have improved and I imagine he'll mix it between hurdles and fences now. I'll have to let the owner tell me where to run him to keep the peace in the house!”
Quotes from Gary Carson
