Mulligan takes inspiration from local heroes

This article is brought to you by Fairyhouse and Navan Racecourse

Given he grew up in Blackcastle Demense less than a mile from the track, it is no surprise to hear Rory Mulligan say he got a massive kick out of his first winner at Navan when Mickey The Steel landed a sprint handicap at the venue in October of 2024.

“That was lovely, a big one for me to get,” Mulligan admitted. “I hadn’t had much luck around Navan before that so it was nice to get the monkey off my back. I knew loads of lads there that day, people I would have grown up with, so many familiar faces, and it was such a special feeling coming back into the winners’ enclosure.

“I can remember myself and my brother jogging out to the track from home to watch the racing when we were kids. It’s mad to think I’ve actually ridden a winner there myself now. That means a lot.”

Mulligan is an unassuming but extremely talented 20-year-old rider who is now based with Bohermeen native Johnny Murtagh on the Curragh. And, what a first impression he made on Murtagh – winning on his very first ride for him when Daamberdiplomat won at Dundalk won at Dundalk in December of 2023.

“I’m in a brilliant position to be working for Johnny,” Mulligan said. “He’s someone I have looked up to for my whole life and, as a jockey, you learn so much for him every day of the week. He’s a brilliant mentor.”

Another local Mulligan looks up to his Colin Keane.

“That’s the dream, to be champion jockey like Colin,” he said. “I’ve known Colin all my life. My dad [Paul] used to work for Colin’s father, Gerry. Colin is the ultimate professional. My aim at the moment is just to keep my head down and ride as many winners as I can.”

Mulligan has already amassed 34 winners, including two in Britain. He has come a long way in a short space of time and his 5lb claim is a steal at the moment given his talent.

Reflecting on the biggest moment of his career so far, Mulligan said: “Winning a big handicap at the Irish Champions Festival at Leopardstown last year on Rahmi was very special. That’s what we are in the game for, to be riding big winners at the big festivals so that one meant a lot.

“To be given the opportunity to ride at those big festivals, like the Guineas meeting, the Derby meeting and the Irish Champions Festival, is huge for me and fantastic experience to get.”

That experience is starting to tell. Mulligan is a man in demand. You’re going to be hearing a lot more about him over the next decade.

This feature is brought to you by Fairyhouse and Navan Racecourses.

Racing idols: Colin Keane and Johnny Murtagh

First winner: Daamberdiplomat at Dundalk in 2023

Career highlight: Rahmi winning at the Irish Champions Festival

Horse to follow: Latin America