Willie Mullins wins trainers' title at Sandown but suffers heartbreaking loss

Willie Mullins finally saw off determined challenger Dan Skelton to secure the 2024-5 British trainers' championship for another year.

The Irishman became the first from his country for 70 years to achieve the milestone 12 months ago and retained his title as the season concluded at Sandown Park.

Mullins started Saturday's action £68,483 behind Skelton, but sent out the second, third, fourth and fifth in the bet365 Gold Cup and Jump Allen scooped the fixture's final race.

However there was a sad postscript to proceedings as Dancing City, a three-time Grade One winner as a novice hurdler, suffered a fatal injury in the big race.

The loss of the promising horse was felt by the team closest to him at Closutton in Ireland, where Mullins trains his string of thoroughbreds.

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ITV Racing presenter Ed Chamberlin told viewers stable staff and owner June Donnelly were "devastated" by the death of the stayer who won at both the Aintree and Punchestown festivals in 2024.

Fans on X sent their condolences and one user wrote: "What a horse, sad way to end the day … RIP Dancing City."

Another added: "Such a sad end to the day, and the season as a whole. Run free, Dancing City."

Many other tributes were paid on a bittersweet afternoon for Mullins, who closed the card with an advantage of £199,507 over Skelton.

Both trainers collected more than £3million in prize money, a career best for Skelton who felt it was going to be an impossible task to hold on from his big rival.

Having saddled Il Etait Temps to victory in the Grade One bet365 Celebration Chase and Grade Two bet365 Oaksey Chase champion Gaelic Warrior, 68-year-old Mullins ended on a high with Jump Allen (5-1) in the concluding bet365 Handicap Hurdle.

“The last few weeks have been tough and they must have been tough for Dan too. That’s the way things go," he said.

“I am very happy for all our connections and owners who once again have supported us with their horses.

"I haven’t read the papers for the last four days with so much going on or watched Racing TV.

"I was reading more about other sports because there was so much going on in racing I tried to keep away from it all. Otherwise, you couldn’t get through it and I’m sure Dan was the same."

Skelton was remaining upbeat after a season which had many highs, including the stable's discovery of potential future great The New Lion.

"There was an air of inevitability about it today," he said. "We will try harder and aim higher. "