As wedding presents go, taking ownership of one the most successful, fabled and admired horse training establishments on the planet is pretty much hitting the jackpot for somebody of that persuasion.
Now, not for a moment is there any suggestion that the acquisition of Jim Bolger’s fabled Coolcullen estate anything other than a business transaction for Emmet Mullins and his leading owner Paul Byrne.
But, coming as it does, so soon after the wedding of Emmet and Maxine O’Sullivan, I could certainly think of worse ways to begin married life.
Where does one even begin with the story of JSB and his self made kingdom. For me, it goes back to the spring of 1994 and a horse by the name of Tragic Point being entered in a maiden. With the steed down to be owned by a Mrs Patricia O’Rourke.
Seeing the name, aligned to the blue and white silks in the colours of Skryne GFC removed any doubt as to who the owner was. Tricia, wife of my first hero who I am privileged to say has become a treasured friend, Colm.
Not only the great man himself, but Shane and several other branches of the O’Rourke clan. And because of same the reason behind the naming of the Bolger-trained steed was easily figured out.
The Tragic Point which brought the name about was the Jack Sheedy score which edged Dublin past Meath on July 4th 1993. An occasion on which Colm produced the best display I ever had the pleasure of witnessing in the flesh. Hitting five points from play before Sheedy’s late strike edged the Dubs over the line.
The tragic part of the point being that most people – maybe even Colm himself – thought it signalled the end of his long and glorious career in green and gold. It didn’t of course, as he played on for another two years and should indeed have stayed on for another year in 1996.
Anyway, for the occupant of this seat, the O’Rourke connection meant an extra special interest in the fortunes of Mr Bolger and his runners which endures to this day. Moreover, on foot of which some great punting days were had on horses such as Teofilo and New Approach and Finsceal Beo and Dawn Approach and Twilight Payment and many others who are far too many to mention.
James S. Bolger was born in 1941. The same year as my late mother. Christmas day thereof to be exact. So, no more than his great pal the late Kevin Prendergast, that he still churns out winners – from admittedly fewer runners – is truly remarkable.
Mind you, to understand Jim Bolger’s genius as a trainer you must first take cognisance of his acumen as a businessman. Beginning life as a car salesman is a good grounding for anyone in life. Which is exactly how Jim began in Ryan’s Garage in Blanchardstown.
Then, it was up the road from there that he began training at Lahunda, Clonsilla where residents including the local undertaker, the late Ollie Cunningham, could readily recall Jim working what would then have been yearlings on a Christmas Day afternoon in preparation for the forthcoming Flat season.
I’m not actually sure at what point he moved down to and developed Coolcullen, but the levels of success generated by the legendary Wexford man from the Carlow centre of excellence have been truly incredible.
One is loathe to refer to JSB as a trainer in the past tense – especially in view of the fact that the guvnor of Glebe House has unearthed another smart youngster to run iñ the silks of Maurice Regan of Newtown Anner Stud Farm in Sparran Nua.
Although the filly was well beaten last time out in France you suspect the old master will be able to eek out sufficient improvement from her next season to keep him actively involved in day-to-day training. Albeit at a much smaller scale than would have been the case up to press.
But then, Coolcullen’s new custodian has already indicated that he will take any pointers going from the old sage. Speaking in relation to the new arrangements, Emmet Mullins said:
“Danny (Mullins, cousin) spent a bit of time up there as a young fella and Willie was there before him, so we’ve a bit of an insight into the aura of the place but I’m sure not as much as what Jim will be able to pass on”.
From the viewpoint of a racing fan, the one potentially bitterly disappointing factor in the new arrangements was the heavily emphasised point that the new incumbent will be building up a considerable flat operation.
This always disappoints me as – though the flat is not the completely insular clique it once was, the riches are still divided amongst a smaller cohort than over the jumps.
Plus Emmet Mullins already has a proven record for getting his National Hunt horses to compete at the very highest level. After all, he was only training a wet week when saddling Noble Yeats to win the Aintree Grand National. Thereby giving his owner/rider Sam Waley-Cohen the perfect bookend to his career in the plate.
Plus, between Paul Byrne himself, JP (McManus) and the Mee family, he already has a team of jump horses well capable of holding their own with anybody. I’d just be hoping that he will not be lost to National Hunt.
For now, though, it’s a time of possibility, promise and a small bit of pressure for the Emmet Mullins team. Those stables could tell some stories.
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