Champion Trainer Willie Mullins honoured by the people of Carlow as a local Sporting Hero 

Champion trainer and former jockey Willie Mullins has been awarded the Talbot Hotel Carlow and KCLR Sporting Heroes award for March 2012.  

Carlovians have been nominating Willie in their droves in one of his most successful seasons for the Bagenalstown based man who has notched up over 120 wins over the past year. 

The Sporting Heroes Awards have been running since March of 2011 and he is our 12th recipient of it. 

Although it’s Willie that gets the major plaudits for the many achievements he has made, and rightly so, this award is also in recognition of the work that goes on behind the scenes. 

There is a hugely dedicated staff working at the base in Closutton and an amazing stock of jockeys that, along with the winning mentality and passion for horses instilled there make the Mullins stable such a successful one. 

KCLR and the Talbot Hotel being able to present the award on behalf of Carlow people is particularly sweet as we have a great fondness of Horse Racing and Equestrian sports as well. Our own Tomm Dowling is passionate about horse racing and has covered the likes of Cheltenham and Gowran Park racing for us as well as writing for the National press for many years. 

The Talbot Group are one of the sponsors of the Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show. They sponsor the Speed Derby International Competition which takes place on Ladies Day, August 16th in the RDS. 

It gives KCLR and The Talbot Hotel Carlow great pleasure in presenting Willie Mullins and his staff with our March Sporting Heroes Award.