Willie Mullins Shock Revelation of a Grade 1 Winner at 50-1 Odds ‘Hidden’ Ahead of the King George Chase Has Produced Huge Upsets at the King George That Have Left Everyone in Awe
In the electrifying world of National Hunt racing, few names command as much respect and intrigue as Willie Mullins. The legendary Irish trainer, with his Closutton stables serving as a powerhouse of equine excellence, has long been synonymous with dominance at the highest levels. From Cheltenham Gold Cups to Champion Hurdles, Mullins’ charges have rewritten record books, saddling a staggering 113 winners at the Cheltenham Festival alone as of 2025. Yet, it is his uncanny ability to unearth hidden gems—horses that defy the odds and deliver jaw-dropping victories—that keeps the racing fraternity on the edge of their seats. The latest chapter in this saga unfolded this week when Mullins’ nephew and nephew jockey Danny Mullins dropped a bombshell: a Grade 1 winner lurking at 50-1 odds, primed to ambush the King George VI Chase and etch its name into the annals of racing folklore.
The revelation came hot on the heels of a triumphant Kerry National, where Mullins’ stable reaffirmed its prowess. Speaking to Tote Racing, Danny Mullins, fresh off guiding a recent victor to glory, singled out Champ Kiely as the Closutton dark horse for the jumps season. This seven-year-old gelding, owned by a syndicate including the formidable JP McManus, is no stranger to the spotlight. Last April, under Danny’s expert navigation, Champ Kiely stormed to victory in the Grade 1 Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase at the Punchestown Festival. Over three miles of testing ground, he showcased a blend of stamina and acceleration that hinted at untapped potential. “He had a stop-start season but finished off well in Punchestown over three miles,” Danny reflected. “I wonder if he could be one under the radar in the likes of a King George.” At current ante-post prices hovering around 50-1, Champ Kiely embodies the thrill of the unknown—a horse whose understated profile belies a pedigree forged in Mullins’ meticulous hands.
The King George VI Chase, a Boxing Day extravaganza at Kempton Park since 1937, is the pinnacle of staying chases. This Grade 1 showdown over three miles and a furlong, featuring 18 unforgiving fences, draws the elite from both sides of the Irish Sea. With a £250,000 prize pot, it is a race where reputations are made or shattered, and where the unexpected often steals the show. Historically, it has been a cauldron of chaos, rewarding the bold and punishing the complacent. No favorite has triumphed since 2017, a statistic that underscores its penchant for drama. Double Shuffle’s 50-1 runner-up finish that year remains a haunting reminder of how thin the line is between obscurity and immortality.
Mullins himself is no stranger to these seismic shifts. His family has a storied history of orchestrating upsets that leave bookmakers reeling and punters pinching themselves. Four years ago, Danny was in the irons aboard Tornado Flyer, a 28-1 outsider who defied all logic to claim the 2021 King George. Sent off amid a field boasting heavyweights like Allmighty and Frodon, the Willie-trained gelding surged clear in the dying strides, securing Mullins’ second victory in the race after Vautour’s dominant 2016 performance. That triumph, etched in the memory of every attendee at Kempton’s sun-kissed Boxing Day card, exemplified the Mullins magic: a blend of tactical brilliance and raw equine talent that turns the tide against the odds.
Such moments have left the racing world in collective awe, fostering a narrative of Mullins as the maestro of the improbable. His stable’s depth is staggering; horses like Galopin des Champs, the dual Gold Cup hero, and Il Etait Temps, a recent Grade 1 conqueror, form the backbone of his assault on major targets. Yet, it is the “hidden” contenders like Champ Kiely that inject true excitement. After a season marred by interruptions, Champ Kiely’s Punchestown heroics—where he outbattled rivals with a powerful finishing kick—suggest he could thrive on Kempton’s sharp turns and relentless gallop. At 50-1, he represents value in a market dominated by shorter-priced hopes such as Corbetts Cross and Envoi Allen, both trading at 4-1 following recent declarations.
The ripple effects of Danny’s tip extend beyond the betting rings. It reignites debate about Mullins’ strategic genius, particularly after his controversial withdrawal of all eight entries—including ante-post favorite Gaelic Warrior—from last December’s renewal. That decision, which reshaped the 2024 field and propelled British hopes like L’Homme Presse into contention, was a masterclass in target management. Now, with Champ Kiely flying somewhat under the radar, whispers abound that Mullins is plotting another curveball. Trainers across the water, from Paul Nicholls with his 13 King George wins to Venetia Williams and her Betfair Chase victor Royale Pagaille, will be watching closely. Nicholls’ Bravemansgame, a 2022 runner-up, and Hewick, last year’s shock 12-1 winner, loom as formidable foes, but Mullins’ interlopers have a habit of upending the status quo.
As the jumps season accelerates toward its festive climax, the anticipation builds. Champ Kiely’s credentials are compelling: a Grade 1 scalp, proven stamina, and the Mullins touch that has delivered upsets time and again. Danny’s endorsement carries weight, born from shared triumphs and an intimate knowledge of the yard’s secrets. In a race where 28-1 shots like Tornado Flyer and 50-1 near-misses have rewritten histories, this 50-1 revelation feels less like a gamble and more like destiny unfolding.
Racing enthusiasts, from the hallowed stands of Kempton to remote viewing parties worldwide, are left in a state of wide-eyed wonder. How many more layers does Mullins’ onion hold? Will Champ Kiely join the pantheon of shock victors, or will the King George claim another victim? One thing is certain: in the hands of Willie and Danny Mullins, the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and the awe-struck silence of victory echoes long after the cheers fade. As December 26 approaches, all eyes turn to this unassuming contender, proof that in horse racing, the biggest stories often hide in plain sight.
