Irish trainer Willie Mullins has topped the British Trainers’ Championship in each of the last two seasons, and he has an excellent chance of completing a hat-trick of titles in the 2025/26 campaign. Only Martin Pipe and Paul Nicholls have managed that feat over the last 40 years.
A 1-2-3 in the Grand National at Aintree and victory in the Celebration Chase at Sandown ensured Mullins defended his crown last season, leapfrogging Dan Skelton in the standings in the final of the campaign.
Strong Team Expected to Travel Across Irish Season from Closutton Stables
Mullins is expected to target some of the biggest races on the British Jumps calendar this season, not just at the Cheltenham Festival. He has arguably his strongest team yet, including in the 3m chase division, with Gaelic Warrior the early 5/2 favourite in the horse racing odds for the King George VI Chase.
Best novice performance of the weekend?
Imperious from Kopek Des Bordes! 😍#ITVRAcing pic.twitter.com/5u0TH9lDLD
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) February 3, 2025
As the horse race results show, Kopek Des Bordes was one of last season’s leading novice hurdlers for Mullins, winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. The Irish horse is now set to go chasing, with the Arkle Trophy being his primary target. Mullins may send his unbeaten star across to Sandown for the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase in early December to gain some valuable experience over fences.
In the 2m hurdles division, Lossiemouth and State Man will be Mullins’ leading players. The latter won the Champion Hurdle in 2024, while the former is likely to take on the opposite sex this year, as she bids to become one of only a handful of mares to prevail in the Championship race.
Grand National Likely to Have Big Say on Title Outcome
With £1 million on offer in prize money, the Grand National can have a big impact on the outcome of the British Trainers’ Championship. In each of his two title victories in 2024 and 2025, Mullins won the Aintree feature.
NICK ROCKETT leads home a 1-2-3 for Willie Mullins in the 2025 Randox Grand National! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/RzMhjuQ7Ip
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 5, 2025
Mullins is likely to run both I Am Maximus and Nick Rockett in the Grand National again, as they bid to match Red Rum and Tiger Roll and become multiple winners of the race. His staying chasers will be trained to peak once again for the marathon contest in Liverpool in April.
Nick Rockett was victorious with 11st 8lb in the latest renewal of the steeplechase. If he is to defend his crown, he will need to carry a much higher weight allocation in the 34-runner field.
Skelton and Nicholls Set to Be the Biggest Challengers to Mullins
Last season’s runner-up Skelton, and 14-time Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls are expected to be the biggest challengers to Mullins’ third straight title bid. The home-based trainers are already off to a fast start to the campaign, with both passing the £300,000 prize money mark.
A brilliant few days for the team!
Blue Carpet and Thistle Ask got us rolling with smart wins at Wetherby,
Kateira showcased her class in the Bet365 Mares’ Listed Hurdle, and Tormund Giantsbane finished the weekend in style at Carlisle. pic.twitter.com/7Iu6GmdAPU— Dan Skelton Racing (@DSkeltonRacing) November 3, 2025
Skelton had a £1 million lead in the standings last season but was unable to convert that to the title. He will be desperate to get his hands on a maiden crown, while his former boss, Nicholls, will be hoping the likes of Pic D’orhy, Kalif Du Berlais and Stage Star can help him to a record-equalling 15th success.
The 2025/26 British Jumps season runs through to Saturday 25 April, with the finale meeting set to be hosted by Sandown Park.