Willie Mullins became the most successful trainer in Irish racing history as Ballyburn secured his record triumph at the Punchestown Festival.
Ballyburn’s run in the Champion Novice Hurdle gave Mullins his 4,378th victory, passing Dermot Weld’s previous mark for wins.
The 1-5 favourite was fending off the charge of Jessica Harrington’s Jetara at the last, but would finish strongly to win by three and a quarter lengths.
After breaking the record, Mullins said: “Dermot pioneered going down to Australia and won the Belmont Stakes, an American Triple Crown race.
“He’s done superb things, so to be mentioned alongside him is fantastic.”
Earlier in the day another Mullins horse, State Man, claimed a 10th Grade One victory in the Champion Hurdle.
After a run of wins that included efforts at the Dublin Racing Festival and Cheltenham this year, the 2-7 favourite made it a perfect five from five this season when coming in ahead of Irish Point for victory.