Tony Mullins fears many small trainers may be forced out by 'irreparable divide'

Cheltenham Festival and Group 1-winning trainer Tony Mullins fears the cost of living crisis could put some smaller yards in Ireland out of business unless assistance is provided.

Mullins, brother of 16-time champion jumps trainer Willie, expressed his concern the day-to-day operations of many smaller trainers are not enough to keep them afloat, with rising fuel and energy prices adding to the pressures.

The Kilkenny handler believes Ireland's last recession in 2008 created an "irreparable divide" between the bigger and smaller training operations and said stable star Princess Zoe was one of the main reasons he can stay in business.

Mullins said: “Our day-to-day training is not really financially viable without the likes of Zoe or a horse who can win major races. The recession put a massive irreparable divide between the top trainers and the rest as opposed to levelling out the playing field.

“The cost of living nowadays means wages are going up, and training fees aren’t going up. When you have your own gallops and other amenities, your insurance goes crazy. Training less than 25 horses is not nearly enough.

“The trainers who are only training 15 winners or so a year are not financially stable without some assistance. They’re not earning a living at the moment, that’s why a lot are part-time and getting work elsewhere.”

Mullins is no stranger to outlining the issues and feels more support is needed to prevent trainers leaving the profession.

He added: “You could see a lot more throwing in the towel in the next year unless something major is done to help them, but I don’t know what can be done. When a few slates start to go off the roof, you’ll see the whole building fall very quickly.”

Princess Zoe: repeat Prix du Cadran bid on the cardsCredit: Edward Whitaker

Princess Zoe has been the flagbearer for Mullins for a few seasons and is set for a busy autumn, with connections considering the Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster next week or the Comer Group International Irish St Leger on Sunday week for her next start, followed by the Group 1 Qatar Prix du Cadran, a race she won in 2020, on October 1. Her final run of the season could be in the Long Distance Cup at Ascot on Champions Day.

He said: “It doesn’t look like there’s too much rain coming [in Ireland] at the minute, but there’s a lot of rain forecast for Doncaster next Thursday. It was always our plan to run in the Leger, but if the rain comes Doncaster is highly likely to be on the agenda."

On whether the seven-year-old will be kept in training, Mullins concluded: “The owners have said they enjoy racing much more than breeding. If we think she’s still firing on all cylinders, it’s very possible she could race again next year.”

Read more:

Racing Welfare: 43 per cent rise in claims for financial help as fuel bills soar

'They will be between £13,000 and £14,000' - trainer's energy bills to quadruple

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