High-flying Byrne snaps up Irish Guineas entrant Irish classic-entrant Overhead Drive has been purchased by in-the-news high-flying owner Paul Byrne and has joined trainer Emmet Mullins, for whom he will race out of the newly-purchased Coolcullen Stables next year. Mullins and Byrne, both in their 30s, have combined to great success in jump racing over the past decade and, having landed the Irish Grand National with Soldier In Milan last April, recently purchased Coolcullen Stables in Carlow from legendary veteran trainer Jim Bolger. Byrne, one of the principal owners behind Fitzwilliam Sports, has been pursuing high-quality Flat youngsters for Mullins to train from Coolcullen next year and has in recent weeks been active at sales, with the syndication of horses also being explored. One such purchase, privately bought well-touted juvenile Overhead Drive, finished second in a Curragh maiden for trainer John Murphy on September 27 when narrowly beaten by the Aidan O’Brien-trained Raging Bull, and holds an entry in next year’s Irish 2,000 Guineas. Mullins, whose current base borders his uncle Willie Mullins’ all-conquering Clossutton, Co Carlow-yard, reports "we were in Goffs for the Orby Sale where we heard the chat about Overhead Drive before his debut run. “He was held in high regard by the Murphys and it was a great run in the Curragh, where he was probably the one to take out of the race as he was a bit wayward. Paul Byrne is involved in the new purchase and I'm not sure who else is being brought in as yet, but it is exciting and he might be a nice one to get our new operation up and running next season. He is put away now." Regarding his Guineas entry, he added "George (Murphy, assistant trainer to his father John) rang me as the deal was being thrashed out because the Guineas entries were closing, so I just told him to make the entry if he felt he should be in it. "Hopefully we can tick the maiden box next year before creeping up the ladder and see how far we get." Owner Byrne made overnight sports and betting news when he, along with friend JP McManus, placed some hefty wagers on tonight’s Melbourne Cup (Tuesday, at 4am), the highest of which was a A$1m (£523,000/€627,000) bet on leading British candidate Hopewell Rock at 10/1. Click on the link below to watch Byrne placing the high-profile Melbourne wager for McManus. "We were thinking we might try and break last year's record." $1 million to win at $10. To win $10 million. They haven't come to Australia for a haircut, the Irish ☘️ Stream now 🎥 https://t.co/Y5Ala2iiF6 https://t.co/pg7pBxyQ1I— Racing.com (@Racing) November 2, 2026
