Seven Cheltenham Festival Races Willie Mullins Hasn't Won

No trainer has won more Cheltenham Festival races than Willie Mullins (113), but despite his dominance there are still SEVEN races that have eluded the Irish champion handler.

The SEVEN Cheltenham Festival Races Willie Mullins Has NEVER Won

Ultima Handicap Chase Premier Handicap (Tues)
Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Tues)
Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase (Weds)
Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (Weds)
Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Thurs)
TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase (Thurs)
Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Thurs)

Note: Correct before the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.

You can also see the best Willie Mullins Cheltenham Festival races – including the Champion Bumper he’s won 14 times.

WILLIE MULLINS fired ten more Cheltenham Festival winners last year (2025), which took this tally at the meeting to a record-extending 113.

However, there are still SEVEN races that have bypassed Willie Mullins – including two on day one – the Ultima Handicap Chase and the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.

12 months ago, Mullins had the 8th in the Fred Winter with Murcia, who is one of the big fancies for the County Hurdle this season, but he’s still to break his duck in the big Tuesday juvenile handicap hurdle.

That could change this year though, as Mullins has one of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival favourites – Saratoga, who is owned by JP McManus.

On day one Mullins is also still to get his hands on the Ultima Handicap Chase – but in his defence he didn’t have a runner in the contest last year.

While the Ultima is often a prize that goes to a British-trained horse anyway – with the last 19 winners coming from the UK.

Willie Mullins Has Never Won The Grand Annual and Cross Country Chase

Onto the Wednesday at the Cheltenham Festival and there are two more races Willie Mullins is still to win.

The first is the Grand Annual Chase, with Saint Roi running 6th in 2024 his most recent runner in the race.

While Mullins rarely has horses contesting the Cross Country Chase so it’s no shock he’s also still to land the festival ‘marmite’ race.

In contrast, it’s a prize his main Irish rival Gordon Elliott loves to win – the County Meath handler has won the race five times, the same as Enda Bolger.

Thursday Has Been The WORST Cheltenham Festival Day For Willie Mullins

Onto Thursday and this is the worst Festival day for Willie Mullins.

Why?

Well, the top Irish trainer is yet to win THREE of the seven races.

This was again the case last year in 2025, with Willie Mullins picking up just one of the Cheltenham races on the day – the Ryanair Chase with Fact To File (watch below).

But on Thursday, Mullins is still to win the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle, Plate Handicap Chase and Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase.

However, there is better news heading into Friday – as Mullins has won ALL seven races at least once before.

Including the Cheltenham Gold Cup four times.

While last season Mullins had a cracking Friday.

Winning the opening four races with Poniros (Triumph), Kargese (County), Dinoblue (Mares’ Chase) and Jasmin De Vaux (Albert Bartlett).

With Poniros scooping the Triumph Hurdle on the ITV Racing schedule at a stonking 100/1 (watch below).

Therefore, if there is one day at the Festival to have Mullins onside it’s the Friday.

But it’s worth remembering his best Cheltenham race is Wednesday’s Champion Bumper. A prize he’s taken a stonking 14 times.

He’s sure to be mob-handed in the race again in 2026. With impressive Naas winner Love Sign d’Aunou his shortest-priced runner in the betting.

He’s also had a lot of success in the Mares’ Hurdle with 11 win – most recently with his popular grey Lossiemouth, who has won the last two renewals.

Plus he’s also had seven wins in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle and County Hurdle.

And last year Kopek Des Bordes made it eight wins in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Willie Mullins Trained His First Cheltenham Festival Winner In 1995

Rewind back to 1995 and you’ll find the first Willie Mullins Cheltenham Festival winner.

This was Tourist Attraction winning the 1995 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – watch below a fresh-faced Mullins (aged 38) talking to broadcasting legend Brough Scott.

Since then, Willie Mullins sent out another 112 Cheltenham Festival winners and his overall tally of 113 heading into 2026 is expected to rise again.

With his nearest rival still training Nicky Henderson, who starts the 2026 Cheltenham Festival on 75 winners.

With Willie Mullins aged 69, this means if he averages 7.25 Cheltenham wins over the next 12 years – he’ll hit the magic 200 winners aged 81.

DID YOU KNOW? Willie Mullins rode three Festival winners. With the most famous Wither or Which, who he also trained to win the 1996 Champion Bumper.