'Paddy Mullins '“ The Great Stayer' airs RTE One & RTE One HD this Monday

'Paddy Mullins '“ The Great Stayer' compelling portrait is uniquely told against the backdrop of relevant transformative events in Irish history.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Mar 2016, 15:14 BST
Updated 9th Mar 2016, 16:16 BST
Gowran 16-2-08. PADDY MULLINS. Photo HEALY RACING.Gowran 16-2-08. PADDY MULLINS. Photo HEALY RACING.
Gowran 16-2-08. PADDY MULLINS. Photo HEALY RACING.

Using rare archive footage and very special location access from the Mullins family and Cheltenham racecourse, the one hour documentary chronicles the extraordinary life and times of the quiet man of Irish Racing,

Paddy Mullins (1919-2010), who became multiple champion national hunt trainer in Ireland and helped build the reputation of Irish racehorses globally in a career that gave him the highest of highs and a path to success that wasn’t always straightforward.

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It explores the revered trainers magical work with the wonder mare Dawn Run (owned by Mrs Charmian Hill) who became the only horse in racing history to win both the Champion Hurdle (1984) and the Gold Cup (1986) at the Cheltenham Festival lifting the entire Irish nation and beyond when the country was gripped with mass unemployment and emigration.

Dublin 2008. PADDY & MAUREEN MULLINS with their trainer sons TOM (L), TONY and WILLIE (right)..Dublin 2008. PADDY & MAUREEN MULLINS with their trainer sons TOM (L), TONY and WILLIE (right)..
Dublin 2008. PADDY & MAUREEN MULLINS with their trainer sons TOM (L), TONY and WILLIE (right)..

Thirty years on former winning jockey Jonjo O’ Neill revisits the scene of this iconic sporting moment. When legendary commentator Sir Peter O’ Sullevan called the mare home in the spine-chilling heightened tones of one of his most famous commentaries, his words “and the mare is beginning to get up” will never be forgotten.

This timeless and absorbing human story filters down to the world famous Mullins dynasty that Paddy Mullins and his wife Maureen founded and who now carry on his incredible legacy.

Contributors also include Paddy’s wife Maureen, daughter Sandra, sons Willie, George, Tony and Tom, grandchildren, Emmet, Patrick, Danny and David, RTE Racing presenter Robert Hall, Brian Kavanagh CEO HRI, jockey Frankie Dettori and former jockey Stan Mellor, trainers Noel Meade, Jim Bolger, John Oxx and Jacqueline O’Brien (wife of legendary trainer Dr Vincent O’ Brien) among others.