Yorkshire-based jockey Paul Mulrennan secured his 1,000th UK career victory with Camacho Chief at Doncaster Racecourse yesterday afternoon. He joins an illustrious list of jockeys to have reached the landmark, including Frankie Dettori and three-time Champion Flat Jockey, Silvestre De Sousa.
The win marked his 26th success at the racecourse, with Mulrennan’s highest performing tracks being Ayr (79), Southwell (75), and Wolverhampton (72).
On reaching the milestone, The 37-year-old, said: “It’s a massive achievement, especially when you consider I grew up in Ealing, West London and didn’t sit on a horse until I was 16. On top of that, I’ve been slightly unlucky with injuries and having to maintain my weight, so that makes it even more of a proud moment for me. There’s some fantastic jockeys who have reached 1,000 wins, and to join them is an amazing feeling.”
Camacho Chief is trained by Michael Dods and Mulrennan has enjoyed a total of 152 wins with the Durham-based trainer. It is also within that partnership that Mulrennan achieved his biggest wins to date.
In 2015 and 2016, Mulrennan secured back to back wins with the Dods-trained Mecca’s Angel in the Group 1 Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York Racecourse, which forms part of the QIPCO British Champions Series.
The duo have also enjoyed great success with Mabs Cross who they have had six wins with, most recently in the 2019 Zoustar Palace House Stakes at Newmarket. The pair are set to renew their partnership on the opening day of Royal Ascot next week (18th June) in the King’s Stand Stakes, the first sprint race in this year’s QIPCO British Champions Series and are currently third favourites at 6-1.
Talking of his partnership with Dods, Mulrennan said: “There has been some brilliant days amongst the 1,000 wins. I have a great relationship with Michael Dods and we’ve enjoyed many good days together especially with Meccas’s Angel.
The jockey, now based in York, added, “Riding my first win at Royal Ascot with Dandino for James Given in 2010 was a dream come true. Mick Easterby has always been good to me, as has Brian Meehan who I started off with and Patrick Haslam who I rode my first winner for back in 2001. I also need to thank my agent Richard Hale who I’ve been with for 17 years, and of course my wife Adele for putting up with me!
“Reaching 1,000 winners is great advert for racing and any young jockey. It proves you just have to keep working hard and never give up.”
