Willie has been the Champion National Hunt trainer for 14 consecutive years in Ireland and has won the title 15 times in total. He is the leading Irish trainer at the Cheltenham Festival where his winners have included the great Champion Hurdler Hurricane Fly, Faugheen, Annie Power and Douvan. He also won the 2005 Grand National with Hedgehunter. Willie has also had huge success on the flat with winners at Royal Ascot and further afield in Australia with Max Dynamite finishing second in the 2015 running of the Melbourne Cup. Willie is assisted by son Patrick who has broken all records as an amateur jockey in his own right, with numerous winners at the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals.

Willie currently trains our Galway Festival winner FAROUT.