Bill Morrissey happy to raise a farewell glass to star juvenile Mums Tipple

It took only 69.32 seconds for Bill Morrissey to make his realisation. As Mums Tipple flexed his muscles in such spectacular style along York’s six-furlong straight a few days ago, the retired vet from County Cork accepted that a life’s work had culminated.

"I know that I’ll never breed a horse like that again, so it’s a bit disappointing really," he says. "I’ve no challenges left!"

Such comment has a melancholic tone but it is delivered with a peal of laughter as Morrissey and his wife Sheila are genuinely thrilled to have their names associated with the two-year-old who has been on the racing world’s lips.