I was a top jockey who won Grand National aged 19 then shocked sport by retiring – life looks very different these days
LIFE looks very different these days for a former Grand National hero who turned his back on racing at the peak of his powers.
Not many people can claim to have reached the pinnacle of their field by the age of 19.
But when Rule The World stormed past the post first in the world’s most famous race at odds of 33-1 in 2016, the lad on his back had managed just that.
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The ride that changed David Mullins’ life came about as a happy accident.
Bryan Cooper, retained rider of Michael O’Leary at the time, had the pick of horses and went for First Lieutenant instead.
They never got further than the second fence while Mullins hacked up by six lengths on a horse who previously had never won over fences in 13 attempts.
Mullins said in the dizzy aftermath of victory: “It’s unbelievable. I just couldn’t expect things to have gone better.”
He nearly won it two years later again, being beaten in a photo by Davy Russell and Tiger Roll and then looking completely crestfallen in front of an audience of millions watching on TV.
But, just as unbelievable to some, was his decision to retire at the grand old age of 24.
Most jockeys are still waiting for their big break then, not totally sure if it will ever come.
But Mullins – part of the all-conquering Mullins racing dynasty from Ireland – knew the time was right.
He said in 2021 when announcing his decision mid-way through the season: “When you leave school at 16 you feel trapped into being a jockey. It’s relentless. There is no break.
“You’re always on call. If you decide not to go to Sligo for one ride on a 33-1 shot you’re called a lazy f for not getting up off your a**e and going.
“And, I’ve been called that many times. I had disagreements with my agent over it. He would get annoyed and I suppose I can see where he was coming from.
“I’m not saying there is anything wrong with going to Sligo or Ballinrobe or anywhere for one ride, and I’ve done it myself over the years, but I just found that as a jockey you were always on call and never got a break.
“I’ve been trying to figure out loads of different things to do, but when you’re in the bubble it can be very hard to think outside of that bubble.”
Since then, horses have still played a prominent role in Mullins’ life.
He has been heavily involved in the bloodstock world, where selective breeding and big-money auctions help determine the champions of the future.
One of his biggest success stories was Court Maid, who won £150,000 after being bought for just £1,500.
Away from the track he has found a new lease of life too.
There are lots of photos at ski resorts, festivals, the famous bull run in Pamplona, Spain… and even a photo with Wayne Lineker.
But horses still play a part.
He explained: “Some weeks I can be flat out, other weeks can be fairly quiet. I look up sales or auctions to try and learn as much as I can about the industry.
“I have to put in the hours looking up details of hundreds of foals or yearlings, Flat or National Hunt – it’s crucial.”
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