Ten wins in the space of a month is a remarkable achievement for any country trainer with just 25 horses in work. Dubbo’s Michael Mulholland did exactly that in the month of November on six different race tracks around the state. He kicked off on the first of the month with a unique double at racecourses 750 kms apart - Wandering Jack scored at Moree and Interventionist at Wagga. The following day Michael saddled up Jet Empress for a win at Dubbo.
On Melbourne Cup day he notched a double at Dubbo with Epic Poem and Play The Record. Twelve days later he came away from the Wellington meeting with two more victories courtesy of Wandering Jack and Epic Poem. It was yet another double at Orange on November 22nd with The Impeckable and Autumn Song, while Infinite Prince rounded off a great month for Mulholland with a Narromine win on November 24th. Chad Lever, Adrian Layt and Clayton Ghallager each won a race for the stable, while Michael’s talented apprentice Shayleigh Ingelse rode the remaining seven winners.
First leg of a double for Michael and Shayleigh with Play The Record at Dubbo on Melbourne Cup day - courtesy Janian McMillan Racing Photography.
Michael Mulholland first formed an attachment to the thoroughbred when he worked part time for respected Dubbo veterinarian Dave Johnson. Sometime later he found himself at a Dubbo Dispersal Sale where he outlaid $200 for a pensioned off thoroughbred mare called Rob’s Law. From that mare he bred a filly called Snappy Steps who won a handful of races in the western districts when trained by his uncle, the late Tom Mulholland. Although deeply interested in the art of racehorse training, Michael put his passion aside while he and wife Melissa developed a beef cattle business on their Dubbo property. It took a crippling drought in the early 90’s to inspire Michael to bite the bullet and give professional horse training a serious shot. His emergence in the western districts training ranks has been nothing short of spectacular. For a short time he operated stables in Wellington and Dubbo, but found the task impractical. Today he’s based solely in his hometown and enjoys the support of a loyal clientele.
Michael and Melissa with an arm full of trophies after Sea Of Flame's Gilgandra Cup win - courtesy Janian McMillan Racing Photography.
The nickname “the Cups King” has already been bestowed upon the 56 year old following an impressive run of success in country Cup races. Michael nominates Steamin’ and Bobalong as the two best horses he’s trained to date. Steamin’ had won five races from 34 starts before arriving at the Mulholland stables in 2018. Michael was able to win another four with the Lonrho gelding including Forbes, Dubbo and Parkes Cups.
Bobalong had to be retired prematurely when he failed to regain his best form following a virus. The gelding raced only 12 times for four wins and six placings all in the western districts, but looked certain to make the transition to city class. The trainer still regards him as the “one that got away.”
Michael is highly delighted to report that his former apprentice Kath Bell-Pitomac is about to return to the saddle after time off with injury. The talented jockey has enjoyed a successful association with the stable and will be keen to regenerate the partnership. Kath should be back in the Mulholland stable by the time twelve complimentary bags of Pryde’s EasiPerformance land in the feed room.
Michael sometimes doubles as strapper. Here he is leading The Impeckable to the hosing bay after a win at Orange 10/10/2024 - courtesy Janian McMillan Racing Photography.
(Banner image - Epic Poem gave the team a winning double in the Class 2 at Dubbo on Melbourne Cup day - courtesy Janian McMillan Racing Photography.)
