BHA soothes Mullins security fears

Willie Mullins has reassured the British Horseracing Authority of his satisfaction at arrangements for stable security at next week's Cheltenham Festival, according to director of raceday operations Jamie Stier.

Mullins expects to take around 40 horses to the home of National Hunt racing and has openly admitted the threat of one of his horses being drugged is never far from his thoughts.

The BHA has been in touch with the trainer about his reported concerns, and Stier said: "BHA has contacted Willie Mullins in relation to certain comments made in the media regarding stable security.

"He informed us that he has no issues with the stable security at Cheltenham. He is confident that BHA and Cheltenham will have the right measures in place.

"He also stated that he has always been very happy with security arrangements. He will be stressing to his own staff the need to remain vigilant at all times.

"BHA has full confidence in the security arrangements at all stabling facilities, especially those that are in place for the Cheltenham Festival."

Mullins told RTE Radio he recalled riding a horse trained by his father, Dawn Run's trainer Paddy Mullins, which had been drugged by a gang in the 1980s and that there was "extraordinary stuff that went on at the time, I don't think they were ever caught but it was known about".

He said: "We're probably more aware of it in racing than other sports but no more so than a major soccer team going abroad who will take care of their own food and accommodation, they keep people away from them and we are the same with horses, you've got to be on your guard all the time.

"We'll have the security we always have, without going into any details, but we always have it - it's not just this year.

"Going back to the time of Dawn Run, when you have a really major player going across you always have concerns. I don't think a lot of Irish people have the same concerns or make much of a fuss, but it is always something that we think about when we are going."