Champion Amateur Jockey Patrick Mullins returns from a seven week break at Wexford tomorrow where he partners newcomer Seemuldoon for his father Willie.

Mullins, who spent seven weeks touring in the USA, returns in time for the Galway Festival and the four times Champion Amateur is set for a relatively busy week.

He says “we’ll have three or four bumper horses for Galway and have one entry in a QR Maiden. A decision on whether Deutchland or Rattan will run in the Carlton Amateur Handicap will probably be made after they work tomorrow.”

He adds “myself and Emmet (Mullins) toured around America for seven weeks and saw much of the country. We did 7,500 miles driving in total and, while we weren’t over there to learn about horses, we did go to the Belmont Stakes and went to the races at Churchill Downs twice too.”

“My weight isn’t too bad and I only put on four or five pounds when I was away - less weight than Emmet, so that was a success! I schooled over fences this morning and didn’t fall off so that helps too!”

“However, I’m starting eight winners behind Nina (Carberry) in the Amateur Jockeys’ Championship and on another year I’d have four or five winners ridden by now so it will be tougher this year to be Champion. Mikey Fogarty has had a good start too and is another big danger.”

Mullins, who nominates Popcorn (“a possible National horse in time”) as one of his more interesting rides over fences later this season along with Boxer Georg, is also looking forward to riding Seemuldoon at Wexford tomorrow. He says “she’s had her problems, is a seven year old, but I’m hopeful of a good run from and would disappointed if she wasn’t in the first three.”

Thomas Weekes