Mission accomplished for Mullins clan as €52,000 Vischio lands valuable Leopardstown prize

Vischio was able to recoup her €52,000 price tag in one fell swoop as well as providing an emotional family victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Paddy And Maureen Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle.

The Listed race, which carries a first prize of €60,000, was targeted by Jack Cantillon and his Syndicates.Racing after the Holy Roman Emperor mare was picked up at the Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale.

Jockey Danny Mullins knew the ins and outs of an eight-year-old with a few quirks, as he regularly partnered her for former trainer Dick Donohoe. Vischio, also a Listed winner on the Flat, had moved to the care of Mullins' cousin Emmet and pounced late under a fine, patient ride.  

"Top marks to Jack, he picked her out along with Danny, who gave him a bit of advice," Emmet Mullins told Racing TV.

"To be fair to the boys they were buying her for this race and this race alone. It’s been a tricky time, I wasn’t sure at Christmas whether we were going to get to here, just a few little hiccups, but she has a great attitude and she didn’t take much to get ready, thankfully."

Vischio was bred by Kildaragh Stud and had been a fine servant for the Goatsbridge Syndicate, which bought her when she was Donohoe, for just €17,000 at Goffs three years earlier. She is a full sister of the very useful Roman Mist, who won a Group 3 race in Germany over seven furlongs in 2023 for Archie Watson and owner David Howden.

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