Mullins lives his American Dream at the Breeders' Cup
Ethical Diamond's win in the $5m Turf makes the jumps training the eighth Irish handler to win at racing's World Championships
Sunday, 02 November 2025
Willie Mullins celebrates a shock success in the Breeders' Cup Turf in Del Mar (Racing Post Photos)
The wins that you don’t expect are more fun. I was hoping to finish in the top six, as I didn’t think we could finish in front of the top three in the betting. Dylan gave him a brilliant ride. It’s just extraordinary. - Willie Mullins on his Breeders' Cup success
In the wonderful world of Willie Mullins and his winners’ factory, this was perhaps the most scrumdiddlyumptious success story yet, writes James Toney.
Ethical Diamond’s long-odds victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf left the Master of Closutton almost speechless.
“This is the last bottle of water you’ll see me with tonight,” he joked, as he wet his whistle to reflect on one of his greatest victories.
Winning at all points between Leopardstown and Cheltenham, Punchestown and Aintree is now par for the course, but claiming a $5 million Group One showpiece at flat racing’s World Championships is next-level stuff.
Mullins becomes the eighth Irish trainer to win at the meeting, and Dylan Browne McMonagle the latest Irish jockey — crossing the line before dashing for the airport, as he collects his first Champion Jockey title at Sunday’s Flat Finale.
“The wins that you don’t expect are more fun. I was hoping to finish in the top six, as I didn’t think we could finish in front of the top three in the betting. Dylan gave him a brilliant ride. It’s just extraordinary.
“The horses we have on the Flat, we target races like the Melbourne Cup, which are for the staying horses, but to come and win over a mile-and-a-half race in California on a track like Del Mar is amazing.
"I’ve always watched the racing from here on TV and always wanted to have a runner here, but never in my wildest dreams did I think we’d have a Breeders’ Cup winner.
“I’m now heading to Australia for the Melbourne Cup with Absurd, where we have some unfinished business, so we’ll see how that goes.”
McMonagle gave his charge a perfect ride, storming down the finish as favourites — Aidan O’Brien’s Minnie Hawk and Godolphin’s Group One-winning machine Rebel’s Romance — faded.
It was going to be a fun flight home and a bleary-eyed arrival at the Curragh.
“When you’re riding for Willie, you’ve always got a chance — one hundred percent,” he said. “He’s a different class: jumps, Flat, anywhere around the world. He turns up every time and he had the horse in good order. A massive thanks to the team, and well done to the connections as well.
“This is an extra. It’s great to top off the year that we’ve had. It is unbelievable, so I must thank everyone who deserves it.”
Ethical Diamond’s long-odds victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf left the Master of Closutton almost speechless.
“This is the last bottle of water you’ll see me with tonight,” he joked, as he wet his whistle to reflect on one of his greatest victories.
Winning at all points between Leopardstown and Cheltenham, Punchestown and Aintree is now par for the course, but claiming a $5 million Group One showpiece at flat racing’s World Championships is next-level stuff.
Mullins becomes the eighth Irish trainer to win at the meeting, and Dylan Browne McMonagle the latest Irish jockey — crossing the line before dashing for the airport, as he collects his first Champion Jockey title at Sunday’s Flat Finale.
“Today was pure excitement and surprise,” said Mullins. “I’m absolutely delighted for Dylan, delighted for the Heffernans from the HOS Syndicate. I’m just overjoyed.Don't ever change Willie Mullins 🤣
— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) November 1, 2025
A big night ahead in Del Mar for the #BreedersCup winning trainer as the #GreenTeam strike again. pic.twitter.com/vLVy7wtNIv
“The wins that you don’t expect are more fun. I was hoping to finish in the top six, as I didn’t think we could finish in front of the top three in the betting. Dylan gave him a brilliant ride. It’s just extraordinary.
“The horses we have on the Flat, we target races like the Melbourne Cup, which are for the staying horses, but to come and win over a mile-and-a-half race in California on a track like Del Mar is amazing.
"I’ve always watched the racing from here on TV and always wanted to have a runner here, but never in my wildest dreams did I think we’d have a Breeders’ Cup winner.
“I’m now heading to Australia for the Melbourne Cup with Absurd, where we have some unfinished business, so we’ll see how that goes.”
McMonagle gave his charge a perfect ride, storming down the finish as favourites — Aidan O’Brien’s Minnie Hawk and Godolphin’s Group One-winning machine Rebel’s Romance — faded.
It was going to be a fun flight home and a bleary-eyed arrival at the Curragh.
“When you’re riding for Willie, you’ve always got a chance — one hundred percent,” he said. “He’s a different class: jumps, Flat, anywhere around the world. He turns up every time and he had the horse in good order. A massive thanks to the team, and well done to the connections as well.
“This is an extra. It’s great to top off the year that we’ve had. It is unbelievable, so I must thank everyone who deserves it.”