Despite the competitive nature of Thursday’s Galway Hurdle – one of the other big races at the seven-day meeting – this prize has remarkably gone to just THREE different trainers since 2014.
Meaning ALL of the last 11 renewals has been won by just a trio of stables – will this run continue in 2025?
We reveal all below and who the three trainers are that have farmed the race with our Galway Hurdle trends and stats.
Since 2014 Only Willie Mullins, Joseph O’Brien and Tony Martin Have Won The Galway Hurlde
With a field of 20 runners, in what is one of the most competitive races at the Galway Festival each year – it’s amazing the race is currently on a run that’s seen only three yards win the prize since 2014.
Yes, ALL of the last 11 renewals have been shared between just three yards – WILLIE MULLINS, JOSEPH O’BRIEN and TONY MARTIN.
So, the holy grail to finding the winner of the Galway Hurdle is simply to hunt out any Mullins, O’Brien or Martin runners – right?
Of the three yards – only two have entries in 2025 too – meaning the search this year can be narrowed down even further.
No entries for Tony Martin, who has been responsible for four Galway Hurdle winners since 2014.
But, we do have two runners for Joseph O’Brien and five for Willie Mullins – we’ll list these below, so seven left on the shortlist to finding the Galway Hurdle winner once again.
In total, O’Brien has won this pot twice – including last season with Nurburgring and in 2017.
While Willie Mullins is the winning-most trainer in the Galway Hurdle – with six wins.
The first coming way back in 1996 with Mystical City and his most recent Zarak The Brave in 2023.
Son Patrick Mullins has also ridden three of the last four Mullins winners in the race and as a result is also the winning-most jockey in the history of the race.
Willie Mullins Galway Hurdle Runners 2025
JALILA MORIVIERE
JP McManus-owned and with Paul Townend riding will be one of the popular Willie Mullins Galway Hurdle runners.
This mare was last seen running 4th (of 16) in a competitive Lawlor’s Of Naas Handicap Hurdle and gets in here off the same mark. With only six career runs over the sticks looks the sort with a lot more to come.
GAUCHER
The mount of Sean O’Keeffe and is probably better bred for the flat being by Frankel. But has won three of his 12 starts over hurdles too and was last seen finishing 4th in the a Grade 3 at Tipperary earlier this month.
However, Townend rode him that day and he’s decided to ride Jalila Moriviere.
TOUNSIVATOR
Willie Mullins turned to Harry Cobden to win the Scottish National earlier this year and looks to the top British jumps jockey again here. This horse was 13th in the Martin Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival back in March and down the field at Plumpton last time.
But has decent back form – including when beating Romeo Coolio in a Grade 2 Novices’ Hurdle at Fairyhouse in 2024 – just needs to find that level again.
BATMAN GIRAC
Owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, who Mullins won this race for in 2023 with Zarak The Brave.
Has won two of his 13 starts over hurdles, with the last of those just two starts ago at Killarney in May. Danny Mullins, who has never won the Galway Hurdle, rides.
WINTER FOG
Despite his price is certainly no back number as the last of the Willie Mullins Galway Hurdle runners. This 11 year-old is a bit long in the tooth these days though – but we did have a 10 year-old winner (Tudor City) in 2022.
Was also only 7 1/2 lengths behind Teahupoo at the Punchestown Festival in May and finished third in this year’s dramatic Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham at 150/1 (watch below).
Oh, he was also fourth in the race 12 months ago and is rated 2lbs lower.
Joseph O’Brien Galway Hurdle Runners 2025
PUTURHANDSTOGETHER
Could be sent off as the Galway Hurdle favourite with the horse racing betting sites – but only four of the last 22 jollies have won.
Owned by JP McManus he was a tidy winner of the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival in March (watch below) and heads here having won two of his six hurdles starts.
But has not won (2 runs) since Cheltenham, including a beaten favourite at Aintree in the G1 Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle so does have a small bit to prove. Mark Walsh rides.
MR PERCY
Another Joseph O’Brien Galway Hurdle runner that heads here with a big say – having won his last two – one over hurdles and the other in the flat.
He’s only had five runs over the sticks too – winning two of those, plus has tasted the Galway Festival before – when second on the flat here last season.
JJ Slevin gets the ride as he looks to back up last year’s win for O’Brien on Nurburgring.
Galway Hurdle Trends 2025 – Key Stats To Help Find The Winner
- 22/22 – Won over at least 2m (hurdles)
- 21/22 – Won by an Irish-based yard
- 20/22 – Won between 2-4 times (hurdles)
- 18/22 – Placed in the top 3 in last race
- 16/22 – Irish bred
- 16/22 – Aged between 5-7 years-old (but last 2 winners aged 4)
- 15/22 – Raced within the last 4 weeks
- 14/22 – 10-12 or less in weight
- 14/22 – Priced 7/1 or shorter
- 13/22 – From the top 3 in the betting
- 11/22 – Favourites in the top 4
- 8/22 – Won last race
- 7/22 – Aged 6 years-old
- 7/22 – Rated between 120-130
- 5/22 – Trained by Willie Mullins (5 of the last 8), (6 in total)
- 4/22 – Favourites
- 4/22 – Trained by Tony Martin (4 of the last 11)
- 3/22 – Ridden by Patrick Mullins (3 of the last 7)
- 2/22 – Trained by Michael Winters (2 of last 12 runnings)
- 2/22 – Trained by Paul Nolan
- 2/22 – Ridden by Paul Townend (2 of the last 17)
- Trainer Joseph O’Brien has won 2 of the last 8
- Trainers Joseph O’Brien, Tony Martin and Willie Mullins have won ALL of the last 11 runnings
- The average winning SP in the last 22 runnings is 10/1
Gordon Elliott Is YET To Win The Galway Hurdle
The other big trainer takeout ahead of the Galway Hurdle – at the other end of the winning spectrum – is that surprisingly Gordon Elliott have NEVER won this race.
He went close last year with Ndaawi finishing second and the horse is back for more in 2025 but is rated 11lbs higher this time.
But has been in good form since last year – notably when an excellent second in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March (watch below).
Elliott also has Bowensonfire, Casheldale Lad and Relieved Of Duties as the County Meath handler looks to break his Galway Hurdle duck.
Which Horse Ticks The Most Galway Hurdle Trends?
Having shouted about the big trainer stat in this race – then we have to stick with this again and narrow the search down to just the Willie Mullins and Joseph O’Brien runners.
That leaves us with SEVEN.
18 of the last 22 winners also recorded a top three finish last time out – so of those left this leaves us with only MR PERCY.
This 5 year-old also ticks the main age stat, with 16 of the last 22 winners aged between 5-7 years-old.
While, finally 20 of the last 22 winners had won between 2-4 times over hurdles – Mr Percy heads here with two wins from five over the sticks.
JJ Slevin rides and he’s take to become the first ‘back-to-back’ winning rider of the Galway Hurdle since Patrick Mullins (2020/2021).
Galway Hurdle Race Details
📅Date: Thursday 31st July 2025
⌚Time: 4:30pm
🏃Trip: 2m
🏆Grade: Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)
🏇Racecourse: Galway
💷Winner: €159,300
📺 TV: RTV
Galway Hurdle Winners (Last 10 Years)
- 2024 – NURBURGRING (13/2)
- 2023 – ZARAK THE BRAVE (9/2)
- 2022 – TUDOR CITY (22/1)
- 2021 – SALDIER (18/1)
- 2020 – ARAMON (7/1)
- 2019 – TUDOR CITY (10/1)
- 2018 – SHARJAH (12/1)
- 2017 – TIGRIS RIVER (5/1)
- 2016 – CLONDAW WARRIOR (9/2 fav)
- 2015 – QUICK JACK (9/2)
