Cheltenham Festival 2019: Harold Kirk reveals how he's the unsung hero of Willie Mullins' empire in exclusive interview
The Closutton wizard has clocked an astonishing 61 Festival winners.
Playing a big part in that is the man responsible for finding the stars of the future – super scout Harold Kirk.
The list of names Kirk has been involved with is astonishing.
From Hurricane Fly ten years ago to more recent stars Douvan, Faugheen, Un De Sceaux, Vautour and Yorkhill — Kirk has had a hand in sourcing them all.
Kirk said: “There is massive expectation and pressure to find the next star.
“Once you have success it’s even harder to keep producing the goods. I‘ve been very lucky and it all comes from how much trust Willie puts in you.
“Willie is so busy training now that he has given me and Pierre Boulard the responsibility to buy any horse that we think is the next Hurricane Fly or Douvan. There is huge pressure to get it right.
“You have to trust in the people you buy from and of course you need lots of luck.”
Kirk goes back a long way with Willie. They became friends while both were amateur riders — Kirk rode 1988 Grand National hero Rhyme ‘n’ Reason earlier in his career to win two bumpers.
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Kirk said: “When Willie took over training from his dad Paddy we would go to the sales together.
“It just went from there really. Our biggest success came when we bought Hurricane Fly and Golden Silver from France in 2008.
“We had earlier success with Mikael D’Haguenet and Cooldine, but Hurricane Fly was a game changer for us.
“I honestly believe without Hurricane Fly there would be no Vautour, Douvan and Un De Sceaux.
“I remember going to France to buy another horse from trainer Jean-Luc Pelletan’s yard, but he pulled out lame and it was just by chance that I saw Hurricane Fly schooling over hurdle.
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“I just loved the way he jumped. He was a fantastic jumper, as brave as you like. He was not for sale, but we managed to persuade his owner and the rest is history.
“I will never again buy a horse like that – he won 22 Grade 1s!”
Kirk’s favourite Cheltenham race is the Champion Hurdle.
He said : “I actually bought the first three home in the 2015 Champion Hurdle — Faugheen, Arctic Fire and Hurricane Fly. I would be amazed if that feat were ever achieved again.
“I love the Champion Hurdle, it’s all about speed. It’s the ultimate test.
“Hurricane Fly won it twice, so perhaps I am biased. It’s a hell of a race.”
Kirk said: “Laurina has a chance, but she looks to be more of a chaser to be honest. She’s not as nimble as our previous winners of the race.
“Faugheen won a point, but did not look like a chaser.
“Laurina has the size to do well over fences. That’s what she will probably end up doing.”
Kirk is a big admirer of Gordon Elliott’s Apple’s Jade.
He said: “When Gigginstown had horses with Willie, I bought Apple’s Jade for them.
“I’m not saying she will win it this year, but she has the natural talent to win a Champion Hurdle. She’s an unbelievable mare – she won three Grade 1s for us.”
Kirk added: “When I look at a horse I want to buy I trust in sires, especially the ones I lucky with in the past.
“The main requirement to do well at Cheltenham is obviously ability, but mental strength is just as important.
“There have been plenty of horses talented enough to win, but they can’t perform at the highest level.
“It’s a bit like people really — some are mentally stronger than others, but you don’t know that by looking at them. It’s either in them or not!”
Mullins has yet to land the main prize of the meeting, the blue riband — the Gold Cup.
But Kirk refuses to dwell on the negatives. He said: “Of course I want to win it for Willie. It has been his dream to win the Gold Cup. I don’t believe you can buy a Gold Cup winner, but you can buy a horse good enough to run in it.
“The best I can do is buy a horse good enough and hope he’s the one.
“This year Willie has four good chances. The main one for me is Bellshill because I know he is an out-and-out stayer and has the talent to win a Gold Cup. Kemboy is a good horse, but I would doubt his stamina and Al Boum Photo should stay, but Punchestown is a totally different test. Invitation Only is improving but this could come a year too soon for him.”
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