Lawrence Mullaney excited by 'great opportunity' to resume training after stint at Ballydoyle

Lawrence Mullaney has grasped an opportunity to resume training – almost a year on from saddling his final runners.

Mullaney cited an increasingly difficult financial outlook as a key factor in his decision to quit training last September and spent a couple of months working for Aidan O’Brien.

Opera Singer, Ylang Ylang and Rubies Are Red were among the top fillies in the yard where Mullaney was based during his time at Ballydoyle, but he was always keen to get back training and has taken on a salaried role at Danethorpe, which is based near Newark and owned by the Kinder family.

Mullaney, who first started training in 2008, said: “I’ve got a great opportunity and it’s a very good facility at Danethorpe – there will be no excuses here.

“I spent a couple of months at Ballydoyle and it was a great experience. I saw some wonderful horses and facilities and how things are done, but once you have the training bug it never leaves you and I was always keen to come back when the right opening came.

“It’s a major thing to be a salaried trainer as I just have to concentrate on the training rather than worry about the finances.”

Mick Appleby: among the previous trainers to be based at DanethorpeCredit: Edward Whitaker

Mick Appleby became champion all-weather trainer at Danethorpe before moving to his current base in Langham and Mullaney is impressed by the 62-stable facility, which includes a mile gallop, round gallop and swimming pool.

“We came here with no horses and have a five-year plan to fill the place,” said Mullaney. “We have eight horses now and will keep going to the sales. We’re in a great location, being so central, and we’re hoping people will support us.

“We’re starting well into a Flat season, which is tricky timing, but we want to get among the winners early and take it from there.”

Kodibeat, a debut winner for Paul and Oliver Cole, is likely to be Mullaney’s first runner in a 5f nursery at Chester next Saturday, while Isla Bella, a Brighton fillies’ maiden winner and Rous seller second at York for George Boughey, will run later this month.

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