- Ukraine says Russia launches cross-border offensive in northeast
- Chelsea exit 'would not be the end of the world', says Pochettino
- Pandemic agreement talks near end with deal elusive
- Injured Gnabry in doubt for Germany's Euros campaign
- Newcastle's Howe desperate to keep Isak and Guimaraes
- Prince Harry, Meghan visit Nigeria
- Israeli artillery hits Rafah after truce talks end
- Klopp dismisses rumours over Nunez's Liverpool future
- Crespo relishing Kewell reunion in Asian Champions League final
- UK economy exits recession in pre-vote boost for PM Sunak
- Austria's Grand Slam winner Thiem to retire at end of season
- French, US drug firms team up for Covid-flu shot
- UK's Labour vows to ditch government's Rwanda deportation plan
- Departing Georgia envoy to Francehits out at foreign influence bill
- European stock markets hit record highs on rate cut hopes
- Waikato Chiefs thump Moana Pasifika to go third on Super Rugby table
- 'World coming to an end': Kenyan town copes with life underwater
- India's top court releases jailed Modi opponent on bail
- CAF Confederation Cup final set for Morocco amid drama
- London, Frankfurt hit records as rate hopes boost markets
- Atalanta battle Roma for Champions League after making history
- Hotter, drier, sicker? How a changing planet drives disease
- Honda posts record profit, issues cautious forecasts
- UK economy exits recession ahead of election
- London, Frankfurt hit new records as rate hopes boost markets
- Chip giant TSMC's April revenue jumps 60% on-year
- Malaysian footballer in acid attack 'responding well' to surgery
- In Benin, tensions soar over cost of living
- Iceland's 'Mammoth' raises potential for carbon capture
- From USSR to NATO, Albania showcases military past
- UK foreign minister David Cameron: life after Brexit
- Israel hits Gaza after truce talks end
- Cavaliers shock Celtics, Mavs silence Thunder to level NBA playoff series
- Israel qualifies for Eurovision grand finale
- India vote a chance for Kashmiris to signal opposition to Modi
- Panama president-elect pledges to deport migrants who cross Darien Gap
- Asian markets mostly rise as US data boosts rate hopes
- Einstein and anime: Hong Kong university tests AI professors
- Cavs surge past Celtics to level NBA series at 1-1
- Time running out for Arsenal as Man City hunt Premier League glory
- Jubilant Madrid visit Granada as Liga relegation battle nears end
- Celtic seek knockout blow against Rangers in Scottish Premiership race
- Pandemic agreement talks go to the wire
- Champions Leverkusen return to Bochum, the last side to beat them, a year on
- Slain Australian surfers' bodies arrive in US on journey home
- Afghan women struggle under male guardian rules
- Thwarted by US, Palestinians look to UN General Assembly
- For US veteran, D-Day memories still vivid after 80 years
- Republican veepstakes: who will complete the Trump ticket?
- Measuring the Trump vote: a years-long headache for US pollsters
Mullins breaks 70 year hiatus to be crowned British champion trainer
Irish training great Willie Mullins's extraordinary season climaxed with him becoming the first foreign-based British champion jumps trainer in 70 years on Saturday.
The 67-year-old emulated compatriot Vincent O'Brien -- regarded by many as the greatest trainer of all time -- who won the second of his two titles in 1954 before going on to become dominant on the flat.
Mullins rubberstamped his dominance in the big races in the United Kingdom as his Minella Cocooner just got up to win the feature handicap Chase at Sandown racecourse in England.
"Awesome," Mullins told ITV at Sandown on being told he was assured of being champion prior even to Minella Cocooner winning.
"Something the legend of the game Vincent O'Brien did 70 years ago was never on my mind to be done.
"But here we are, owners have been supportive, as have the staff and jockeys and we have had a team of horses to race over here.
"A great team all round."
Mullins, who sent a team over for Sandown's climax to the season Finals Day, said it had never been something he had thought about.
"It is something different to win.
"Being Irish champion trainer yes, but never dreamt of winning the British one.
"To do it against Nicky Henderson, Dan Skelton and Paul Nicholls, all very good trainers.
"It is probably tough on Dan, he beat Paul Nicholls and we come up the inside.
"We are very lucky to have a tremendous team of horses at the moment."
Mullins is way behind his two rivals Skelton -- son of 2016 Olympic showjumping champion Nick -- and Nicholls in terms of winners but trumps them on the deciding factor, prizemoney.
This has been based on wins in the Champion Hurdle, Cheltenham Gold Cup -- he also brought up a century of Festival winners -- and the Grand National with I Am Maximus.
That for once in Mullins's case is not a milestone treble as his fellow Irishman Henry de Bromhead won all three plus the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2021.
He also won last Saturday's Scottish National with Macdermott and the same jockey Danny Mullins was on board Minella Cocooner.
He was in awe of his uncle's feat.
"It is something that should not be achievable," said Danny.
D.Schneider--BTB