King Charles and Willie Mullins strike historic deal over ‘impressive' horse bred by his late mum Queen Elizabeth II
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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.
The amazing link-up, reported by The Irish Field, means Mullins will look after the brilliantly-bred Reaching High in a first-of-its-kind agreement.
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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 Mullins
Credit: Getty
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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 Aintree
Credit: PA
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Reaching High demolished rivals on his only win to date
It is believed Reaching High will be the first horse ever owned by a reigning monarch to be trained in Ireland.
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.
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.
And King Charles and Mullins - who was crowned Irish and British champion jumps trainer last season - are targeting Royal Ascot.
Reaching High's mum is Estimate, the late Queen's favourite horse who won the Ascot Gold Cup in 2013.
Video of Queen Elizabeth II celebrating the monumental victory alongside trusted confidante and racing adviser John Warren was played the world over.
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.
Mullins said he and King Charles, who owns horses alongside wife Queen Camilla, were introduced at last year's Royal Ascot.
And a deal was done then that would ultimately lead to him being sent the hugely promising Reaching High.
Mullins - who could gatecrash the Gold Cup with another £100,000 monster - told The Irish Field that they have already set out which race at Royal Ascot they want to win.
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.
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.
"His pedigree is all stamina so those kind of races should suit him."
King Charles actually rode at Cheltenham Festival but the Royal runners have tended to focus on the Flat.
Of them, Estimate was by far the best but the King and Queen did have big success in 2023 with Desert Hero.
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.
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.
There had been fears King Charles would drastically cut back the multi-million pound Royal racing operation after he inherited it.
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.
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