Willie Mullins’ Grand National entry and Cheltenham Festival winning horse retired after prep race win

Feb 17, 2026 - 14:15

12-year-old Appreciate It trained by Willie Mullins was set for a run out at the Grand National at Aintree in April but has suddenly been retired.

Appreciate It didn’t look like a horse ready to be retired when winning at Thurles by 12 lengths in the Grade 2 contest so the news has come as a surprise to many.

CHELTENHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Paul Townend riding Appreciate It clear the last to win The Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 16, 2021 in Cheltenham, England. Sporting venues around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit spectators inside venues resulting in events being held behind closed doors. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images) — Paul Townend riding Appreciate It clear the last to win The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 16, 2021

With the Mullins runner having an entry into the Grand National he looked in incredible form.

But it was revealed that the 2021 Cheltenham Festival Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner had picked up an injury from his run last time out in the Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase.

Sadly his career was put on hold back in 2021 too, when an injury after that Cheltenham Festival victory saw him off the track for a year.

Something that assistant trainer Patrick Mullins noted that racing fans never got to see how good the horse could have been.

Mullins explained: “He picked up an injury in his last run. He was a great servant, and he’ll have a long and happy retirement, hopefully.

“His Supreme win was phenomenal – how far he won by was extraordinary.

I had a good day out with him at the DRF and obviously as a chaser on one day we split Galopin Des Champs and Fast Or Slow in the John Durkan. Whether it was Bumpers, hurdles or chases he was mixing it with the best of them.

Kildare , Ireland - 1 May 2024; Appreciate It, with Patrick Mullins up, during the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup during day two of the Punchestown Festival at Punchestown Racecourse in Kildare. (Photo By Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images) — Appreciate It, with Patrick Mullins up, during the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup at Punchestown Festival

“He loved his racing. It was a pity – he missed a year through injury that was probably his prime year really, so I don’t think we saw the very best of him. But he was a yard favourite, and I had some great days with him, as did Paul (Townend). He’ll be much missed.”

Another Mullins Grand National hopeful Nick Rockett is also unlikely to line up in April, as he is yet to have a race this season to qualify for the National Hunt feature.

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