Minella Emperor
Minella Emperor has found his sweet spot. The 7-year-old broke his duck back in May at Kilbeggan and has since pieced together a decent record of 3 wins from 13 races, winning roughly 1 in every 4 times out. More tellingly, he has claimed two of those victories at Cork from just three races there—a win rate of 60%—and came back to that track just this week to win again on 11 October. That kind of course form suggests a horse that genuinely enjoys the place and the way it suits his running style.Based on TrackLab's analysis
Owner
Michael Joseph Oneill
📊 Key numbers
Career totals for this horse
🔍 Full analysis
Our model's view, based on this horse's career and recent runs
His current form over the last six races shows real consistency. After that win this week, he has picked up two second-place finishes and a pair of thirds in the run before that, which tells you he is running well without winning every time—the mark of a solid, dependable performer. The normal ground conditions appear to bring out his best: he has won 3 from 5 races (60%) when the surface is firm and fair, compared to a far shakier record on wetter or softer going. That is a crucial detail for anyone watching his next engagement.
Emmet Mullins, training from Bagenalstown in Co. Carlow, has sent out 31 winners this season and clearly knows how to get the best from this horse. Minella Emperor has been most often partnered by Mr M J O'Neill, though their win rate together stands at just 18% (2 wins from 11 races)—which suggests either the horse performs better with other jockeys in the saddle, or they have yet to find the ideal combination. Nonetheless, a horse that loves a course, thrives on good ground, and has won three times from thirteen outings is one worth keeping an eye on when Cork comes around again, or when firm conditions are on the card.
⚡ Strengths and risks
What helps this horse and what to watch out for
✓ What works in their favour
✔ Excellent record on good ground: 3 wins from 5 starts (60%)
🎯 Where this horse runs best
Results split by ground, distance, race level and track shape
🌧 Ground
Good (a little give)
Loves
Yielding (slightly soft)
Unknown
Yielding to soft (damp)
Unknown
Good to soft (some give)
Unknown
Good to yielding (mild give)
Unknown
Soft to heavy (wet)
Unknown
📏 Race distance
Long Distance (2M+)
Likes
🏅 Race level
Class 2 (high-level)
Unknown
🏟 Track shape
Right-handed, long straights
Loves
Right-handed, tight
Unknown
Right-handed, hilly
Unknown
Left-handed, long straights
Unknown
Right-handed, tight turns
Unknown
Left-handed, tight turns
Unknown
📅 Recent runs
The last 10 races, most recent first
11 Oct
🏆 Won
Cork
Long Distance (2m+) · Good · 4 runners
4 Apr
DNF
Fairyhouse
Long Distance (2m+) · Yielding_To_Soft · 21 runners
12 Mar
23th
Cheltenham
Long Distance (2m+) · Good · 24 runners
14 Feb
2nd
Haydock Park
Long Distance (2m+) · Good_To_Soft · 16 runners
18 Jan
2nd
Thurles
Long Distance (2m+) · Yielding · 6 runners
28 Dec
3rd
Limerick
Long Distance (2m+) · Soft_To_Heavy · 14 runners
2 Dec
4th
Clonmel
Long Distance (2m+) · Heavy · 21 runners
20 Nov
DNF
Thurles
1m6f – 2m · Yielding_To_Soft · 20 runners
12 Oct
🏆 Won
Cork
Long Distance (2m+) · Good · 7 runners
23 Aug
5th
Killarney
Long Distance (2m+) · Good · 9 runners
🏇 Jockeys
Every jockey who has ridden this horse, most rides first
Mr M J O'Neill Current jockey
🏟 Course record
Win rate at each course this horse has visited
| Course | Races | Results | Last run | Win rate |
|---|
| Cork Galloping |
3 |
2 wins, 1 other |
11 Oct |
66.7% |
| Thurles Undulating |
2 |
1 second, 1 other |
18 Jan |
0% |
| Kilbeggan Tight |
1 |
1 win |
16 May |
100% |
| Limerick Galloping |
1 |
1 third |
28 Dec |
0% |
| Clonmel Sharp |
1 |
1 other |
2 Dec |
0% |
| Haydock Park Galloping |
1 |
1 second |
14 Feb |
0% |
| Galway Tight |
1 |
1 third |
3 Aug |
0% |
| Killarney Sharp |
1 |
1 other |
23 Aug |
0% |
| Fairyhouse Galloping |
1 |
1 other |
4 Apr |
0% |
| Cheltenham Galloping |
1 |
1 other |
12 Mar |
0% |