How many times has Willie Mullins won the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle?

The Hatton’s Grace Hurdle is a Grade 1 Hurdle race run over an extended two and a half miles at Fairyhouse, Co. Meath in late November or early December; at the time of writing, the next renewal is scheduled for 2:40pm on Sunday, December 1, 2024. The race was inaugurated in 1994 and commemorates Hatton’s Grace, trained by Vincent O’Brien, who won the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival three times, in 1949, 1950 and 1951.

All told, four horses, namely Limestone Lad (1999, 2001 and 2002), Solerina (2003, 2004 and 2005), Apple’s Jade (2016, 2017 and 2018) and Honeysuckle (2019, 2020 and 2021), have won the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle three times. The first-named pair were trained in Gathabawn, Co. Kilkenny by the late James Bowe, who remains the most successful trainer in the history of the race with six wins. Gordon Elliott, trainer of Apple’s Jade and the 2022 and 2023 winner, Teahupoo, has five wins to his name, while Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Honeysuckle, and Willie Mullins have three apiece.

Thus far, Mullins has won the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle with Hurricane Fly (2010), Zaidpour (2012) and Arctic Fire (2015). Reigning champion Teahuppo is once again among the entries for the 2024 renewal, but at this early declaration stage Mullins holds a formidable hand, with four of the top-five highest-rated entries, headed by Cheltenham Festival winners State Man, Ballyburn and Lossiemouth. At first glance, a fourth win for the Co. Carlow seems by no means out of the question.