Mullins calls for NH 'international scene'

Willie Mullins believes National Hunt racing could "disappear" if ruling bodies do not seriously consider internationalising the sport.

Ireland's all-conquering champion trainer has enjoyed his fair share of success across the Channel in recent years, most notably saddling four winners of the French Champion Hurdle, while he cast he net even further afield when Blackstairmountain won Japan's Nakayama Grand Jump in 2013.

Having had runners in the Melbourne Cup in recent years, Mullins has seen an appetite for jumps racing Down Under and thinks a series of races across the globe will help safeguard its future.

"Do we need to internationalise jump racing? I think we do," said the Closutton maestro.

"We have our own thing in Ireland and England. The French don't bother coming over to us because there's so much prize-money over there.

"America has jump racing, Australia has some jumping races, Italy has a fantastic meeting in Merano we went to last time.

"I think it's important that we have an international scene, to go to places like Australia and Japan. It would be good to have an international series of races.

"If we don't, I think jump racing will disappear."

Mullins points to the success of high-profile international Flat fixtures like the Breeders' Cup, the Melbourne Cup and racing in Japan and Hong Kong as evidence of what can be done.

He said: "I'm going to get a fantastic living out of the game and I hope Patrick (Mullins) is going to get a fantastic living out of it, but two generations down, where is jump racing going to be?

"I think it's getting smaller and I think we could do something similar to what the Flat have, in a smaller way, and have a better market for our horses."