Familiar outcome as Witches lands opener at Galway

Willie Mullins and Paul Townend made a winning start to the 2026 Galway Festival as market leader Witches Familiar landed the opening Galmont Hotel & The Galway Bay Hotel Novice Hurdle.

Sent off 13/8f in the Ricci silks, the recent Ballinrobe scorer tracked the leaders for much of the contest before moving closer after three out.

Joining Mino Des Mottes two out, the daughter of Zarak led at the final flight before keeping on well for an easy eight-and-a-half length success.

“We kept her for Galway, after she won so easily first time up, we just thought she was alright,” said Mullins.

“We had her in for a lot of last season but we kept her as a novice, we thought she was a bit better than the average novice.

“You won’t get too many Zaraks now for jumping bred mares, it’s nice to have a filly going jumping by him.

“She did it well and she’s one that we think a bit of.

“It’s a pity Rich and Susannah can’t be here.

“We’ll up her in grade as best we can. I’d probably be looking at her as a Royal Bond-type filly.

“We might just leave her now. I can see her being a good mare in novice company for the whole season. I’d be looking at the long term rather than shorter term with her.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson.