‘Absolute legend’ of racing Maureen Mullins, mother of iconic trainer Willie, dies aged 94 after short illness

‘ABSOLUTE legend’ of racing Maureen Mullins, mother of iconic trainer Willie, has died aged 94 after a short illness.

A leading figure in the sport for decades and still seen on racecourses up until her final days, her passing was confirmed by son Tony.

Maureen Mullins, right, with trainer son Willie, far left, and grandson Patrick, middleSportsfile - Subscription

Racing has lost a true character in Mullins, matriarch of the all-conquering family of trainers and jockeysSportsfile

Incredibly, she placed her final €20 bet on grandson Charlie just hours before she passed.

He won, on a horse trained by Willie.

A devastated Tony told the Racing Post: “She died peacefully at home and I suppose that’s all we can all hope for.

“And she had a full life, she missed nothing.

“It is always a shock but it is nice that she didn’t suffer for long.

“She continued her massive interest in racing right up to the very last day.

Would you believe, she had €20 win on Charlie in the bumper yesterday – that was her last bet.

“She was interested right up to the very end. Charlie winning the bumper at Thurles was one of the last things she was aware of, and she said to me before, ‘If I can’t ever go racing again, what’s the point?’

“She was able to get out there right to the end, which is what she wanted.”

Maureen was hailed as an ‘absolute legend’ of racing by SunSport’s Matt Chapman.

And messages of condolences to the powerhouse family of the sport flooded social media.

Maureen was busy opening the new weighing room at Gowran Park racecourse in Ireland just last month.

But Tony, Willie’s brother and a fellow top trainer, said she came down with ‘pneumonia or a flu’ a couple of days later.

He added: “She was in the house since.

“She was moving around with some assistance up to a few days ago so it was relatively peaceful.”

Maureen’s late husband Paddy was a multiple champion trainer and died in 2010.

Together they had a daughter and four sons, while their grandchildren have gone onto cement the Mullins name as the dominant force in racing.

Patrick is a record-breaking amateur ride, Danny a multiple Grade 1-winning jockey while David and Charlie have also been successful in the saddle.

Emmet won the 2022 Grand National with Noble Yeats and has emerged as one of the shrewdest operators in the business.

The British Horseracing Authority were among those paying their respects.

A post on X read: “All of us at the BHA are saddened to learn of the passing of Maureen Mullins. We extend our condolences to the Mullins family today.

“Maureen Mullins had a tremendous passion for the sport to which she gave so much and her legacy will continue to be felt for generations to come.”

Another post from a fan read: “Deepest sympathy to the Mullins family on the passing of Maureen.

“A true legend of the sport, a wonderful woman, an inspiration to us all. Rest in peace.”

While a fellow follower said: “So sad to hear of the passing of Maureen Mullins, an iconic figure in Irish racing.”