Ted Walsh full of praise for Patrick Mullins after amateur record broken

Ted Walsh has paid tribute to Patrick Mullins after his long-standing record for number of winners as an amateur jockey was finally broken.

Mullins rode his 546th winner in the Blind Tiger Flat race at Sligo on Sunday aboard Queens Boulevard, trained by his father, champion trainer, Willie.

Having ridden the likes of Un De Sceaux, Faugheen, Douvan and Cousin Vinny in a stellar career, it is pretty obvious Mullins junior is in a far more advantageous situation than most amateurs – but Walsh says that is only half of the story.

“Patrick is a great rider and a very intelligent man, you’d be proud to have someone as good as him break any record,” said Walsh.

“If he wants to he could ride 1,000 winners – he’s not even 30 years of age.

“He can be very proud of the ride he gave to his father’s horse in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham this year (Rathvinden), as that really typified what a fine National Hunt jockey he really is.

“He’s nearly six-foot tall, he’s a big man, so it takes great dedication. He keeps himself in great shape fitness-wise, he looks after himself well, he’s got a great racing brain – he’s got everything.”

He went on: “If he was 10st 2lb he could have been a top-class professional jockey, but he’s 11st 7lb.

“He has a great knowledge of racing, he is a great asset to his mum and dad and also a great advertisement to the two of them.

“He’s got everything, I wouldn’t say you could find a person in this country who isn’t proud of Patrick, he’s a real solid fella.

“He’s got time for everybody, he loves the sport and is a student of the game. He’s a very learned fella and is a very complete young man.”