If you’ve been watching the “Silks and Shenanigans” of the 2025/26 season, you’ll know that Danny isn’t just a jockey; he’s a master of the opportunistic strike. Whether he’s steering a 125/1 longshot to victory or dominating a Grade 1 across the Atlantic, the 32-year-old has become the ultimate “super-sub” and tactical wizard of the weighing room.
The King of the Longshots
Most jockeys dream of a winner every now and then, but Danny has a knack for finding them in the places no one else is looking. Just this week at Down Royal (January 20, 2026), he pulled off the ultimate heist, steering Green Hope to a stunning victory at odds of 125/1.
It wasn’t just a fluke; it was a quintessential Danny Mullins ride,ignoring the price tag, trusting the horse, and timing the run to perfection. As trainer Ross Crawford noted, the instructions were simple: “Ignore the price.” Danny did exactly that, proving once again that in his hands, no horse is truly an outsider.
A Summer of Grade 1 Glory
While many Irish jockeys take a breather during the summer, Danny was busy stamping the Mullins name on the international stage. In July 2025, he hopped over to Saratoga to land the Grade 1 A.P. Smithwick Memorial Handicap aboard Historic Heart.
Winning a Grade 1 in the U.S. is one thing, but doing it with the tactical “no petrol used” style he’s famous for is another. He tracked the leaders, jumped with precision, and stayed cool under the Saratoga sun, proving his “big day” temperament isn’t just limited to the mud of Punchestown or the hills of Cheltenham.
Family Ties and the Leopardstown Ambassadorship
Racing is a family business for the Mullins dynasty, but Danny has carved out his own distinct path. A major highlight of 2025 was winning the Paddy and Maureen Mullins Mares’ Handicap Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival on Vischio. Winning a race named after your grandparents is the stuff of legend, and doing it for his cousin Emmet Mullins only added to the “Shenanigans” in the winner’s enclosure.
It’s no surprise, then, that Leopardstown Racecourse recently announced him as their official Ambassador for 2026. With over 28 Grade 1 wins to his name, he’s the perfect face for the track where he secured some of his biggest thrills, from the Irish Gold Cup on Kemboy to the Dublin Chase on Solness.
Why You Should Follow Him
What makes Danny a “jockey to follow” isn’t just the wins—it’s the way he wins. He is arguably the best tactical rider in the business when it comes to:
- Front-running masterclasses: Think back to his back-to-back Stayers’ Hurdle wins on Flooring Porter.
- The “Mullins Masterpiece”: He’s the go-to man for uncle Willie Mullins when a tactical second-stringer needs a brilliant ride, recently seen with his treble at Navan on the likes of Doctor Steinberg and Saint Baco.
- Fearless versatility: From 2-mile sprints to 3-mile slogs, he finds the rhythm that others miss.
One to Watch: High Class Hero
Keep your eyes on the silks this week. Danny is booked for several high-profile rides, including High Class Hero in the Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park (January 22, 2026). In a race known for its drama, Danny’s ability to navigate chaos is worth its weight in gold.
“The big days are what it’s all about. Riding under pressure on those days—that’s the buzz.” — Danny Mullins
Silks and Shenanigans 