18+ | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure

Pictures of the Week: Willie Mullins, the return of Thurles and Arc Day

Willie Mullins Closutton Stables 8-October-2025A happy Willie Mullins pictured this morning at hos County Carlow stables.Healy Racing
© Healy Racing Photos

It has been another busy week with Willie Mullins opening his doors to the media for a stable visit, the return of racing to Thurles and the Prix De l’Arc de Triomphe.

Here, take a look back over the last seven days with the pick of the pictures from Healy Racing.

Willie Mullins Media Day

Ahead of the start of the jumps season, Willie Mullins hosted a stable visit for the media at Clouston.

Willie Mullins Closutton Stables 8-October-2025 Good Morning .... Trainer Willie Mullins pictured greeting the media at his stables.Healy Racing
© Healy Racing Photos

The 69-year-old discussed his hopes for his stars ahead of the new campaign, including updates on the likes of Galopin Des Champs, State Man and Nick Rockett, all pictured below.

Willie Mullins Closutton Stables 8-October-2025Trainer Willie Mullins pictured with L-R Nick Rockett (Katie Walton) State Man (Paul Townend) and Galopin Des Champs (Adam Connolly) on way to the gallops.Healy Racing
© Healy Racing Photos

Racing Returns To Thurles

On Thursday, Thurles racecourse opened its doors for the first time since the temporary agreement between the Molony family and HRI in August.

The agreement means the course will stay open until March, allowing time for a more permanent solution to be sought.

Thurles 9-October-2025Truth Be Told winning jockey Chris Hayes with racegoers Ger Sammon, Joe Hickey and Niall Tully looking on behind.Healy Racing
© Healy Racing Photos

Minnie Hauk Defeat in the Arc

The big race of the last seven day was undoubtedly the Prix De l’Arc De Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday when Aidan O’Brien’s Minnie Hauk was beaten by Daryz.

Francis-Henri Graffard has confirmed the Arc winner will stay in training for a four-year-old campaign and O’Brien has been encouraged to do the same for Minnie Hauk after her impressive performance in France.

ParisLongchamp 5-October-2025 Qatar Prix de l??Arc de Triomphe (Group 1) Daryz and Mickael Barzalona win for trainer Francis Henri Graffard from Minnie Hauk and Sosie for owner HH Aga Khan.Healy Racing

Dundalk Falls Victim To The Weather

A meeting at Dundalk was abandoned without a race last Friday as strong winds, demonstrated in the picture of the course, risked the safety of horses and jockeys.

Dundalk 3-10-25  strong wind cathes the trees at Dundalk Stadium(Photo HEALY RACING)

Staples Fall Shows Everyday Perils

Jockey and horse were both OK after Eoin Staples takes a nasty fall on Sporting Glance after the first flight in the Ryans Cleaning Novice Handicap Hurdle at Galway on Tuesday.

Galway 7-10-25  Sporting Glance & Eoin Staples part company at the first flight in thw Ryans Cleaning Novice HAndicap Hurdle both were OK after their fall(Photo HEALY RACING)

And Finally

Tipperary 6-10-25  Cockney Cleopatra plays up under Philip Donovan at the start for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle(Photo HEALY RACING)

Cockney Cleopatra plays up under Philip Donovan at the start for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle at Tipperray.

Subscribe to our new newsletter ahead of launch next week.

About Connor Whitley
Connor Whitley is an experienced sports journalist who has written for the English FA, Manchester Evening News, Football Insider and contributed horse racing content to The Telegraph. He moved to Irish Racing in March 2025.