Paul Townend

Paul Townend is an Irish National Hunt jockey from County Wexford who serves as principal rider for Willie Mullins, the most dominant jumps trainer in the history of the sport. That partnership has produced a staggering volume of Grade 1 winners, including three Cheltenham Gold Cup victories.

Townend won the Gold Cup on Al Boum Photo in both 2019 and 2020, then added a third on Galopin Des Champs in 2023, placing him among the most successful Gold Cup jockeys in modern history. His record at the Cheltenham Festival extends far beyond the Gold Cup; he has ridden winners across every day and in multiple championship races, benefiting from the depth of talent in the Mullins yard while also demonstrating the skill needed to deliver those horses on the biggest stage. He has been Irish champion jockey multiple times, a title that reflects both the strength of his association with Mullins and his own riding ability.

His riding style is deceptively simple. Townend sits quietly on a horse, makes few unnecessary movements, and tends to arrive at the last fence or hurdle travelling strongly. He is an excellent judge of pace in staying races, rarely committing too early or leaving himself with too much ground to make up. His jumping technique is sound, and he has a particular talent for presenting horses at fences in rhythm, allowing them to jump fluently rather than asking for extravagant leaps. The Mullins association gives him first pick of one of the strongest strings in jump racing, but his record shows he makes the most of those opportunities consistently.

In 2026, Townend will be the rider most connections fear at the major National Hunt festivals. He is expected to carry the Mullins first colours at the Cheltenham Festival and may ride at the Grand National if Mullins has a suitable contender. Fans can follow in Ireland time.