Kingmaker joins Willie Mullins as Pompey Ventures expand into jumps racing

Last Updated on August 15, 2026

Pompey Ventures have taken a clear step into new territory by sending their latest recruit Kingmaker to Willie Mullins. The move signals the syndicate’s first full push into Irish jumps racing and reflects a growing ambition behind the operation.

The hope is that he can make an impact as a dual purpose horse in the years to come and to give owners a mixture of both worlds.

After building momentum on the flat in Britain the decision to recruit a national hunt horse and send to Willie Mullins marks a natural point of expansion.

From Flat progress to jumps ambition

Pompey Ventures have made steady gains on the Flat through partnerships with trainers such as Ollie Sangster and George Boughey. Results on the track have been backed up by growing interest from owners, many of whom have been keen to see the syndicate add a jumps horse to its string.

That demand helped drive the search for a suitable recruit. The aim was not simply to buy a jumps horse, but to find one with the right profile to thrive in Ireland and offer longevity across several seasons.

Kingmaker fitted that brief. Bought for 55,000 guineas at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale, the three-year-old was sourced from Andrew Balding’s yard and immediately stood out as a strong, scopey type capable of switching codes.

Kingmaker heads into the next stage of his career with a solid base of race experience already behind him. He ran 11 times on the Flat, with four second-place finishes and a third highlighting how often he was involved at the business end, usually beaten only a few lengths after racing gamely.

His latest run came at Kempton on 10 October 2025, where he produced one of his strongest efforts. He made ground from two furlongs out and stayed on well inside the final furlong, moving into second close home and finishing just three quarters of a length behind the winner. That performance came despite losing his left fore shoe during the race, a detail that added extra credit to the run.

Kingmaker Video

Q&A

We asked the Pompey Ventures team about how they make ownership feel personal, how the syndicate is developing, and what it was about Kingmaker that convinced them he was the right horse to take this next step.

Q1. How does Pompey Ventures make ownership feel more personal and accessible than larger, more established syndicates?

‘At Pompey Ventures, everything revolves around clear, open communication. Each horse has its own group chat where owners receive regular updates, photos, videos and race plans. This builds genuine togetherness, so when we meet at the races or for yard days, everyone already knows each other.

Questions are always welcome, and owners are kept fully informed. The Pompey Ventures partners are in the chats and always contactable. It is informal, friendly and makes every owner feel part of the team.’

Q2. As a young syndicate with early momentum, how do you see Pompey Ventures developing over the next few years?

‘Now in our third year, Pompey Ventures is focused on steady, controlled growth. We want to build on what works, selecting the right horses, working with trusted trainers and keeping ownership groups small enough to stay personal.

Growth means quality, not quantity. We will keep improving year on year, raising standards and adding talented young horses to give owners memorable experiences. And yes, we would love a Pattern class winner.’

Q3. What caught your eye about Kingmaker at Tattersalls, and how does he represent Pompey Ventures’ next step into jumps racing?

‘Kingmaker stood out for his size and scope as a three year old. Although we focus on flat horses, he perfectly fitted our dual purpose model.

We believe his maiden status reflects bad luck, not lack of ability, which made him an affordable and smart buy. He marks a natural step into National Hunt racing with the right horse and the right people.

Since joining Closutton, Patrick Mullins has shared regular group chat updates, and Kingmaker has settled in well. We look forward to our first Mullins yard day in February, with some shares still available.’

Why Closutton made sense

Sending Kingmaker to Closutton places him in one of the most competitive environments in jumps racing. For Pompey Ventures, the appeal lies not only in results, but also in education and exposure.

The Mullins yard offers a clear pathway for novice hurdlers, with patient handling and a proven record of improving former Flat horses. For a syndicate entering Irish jumps racing for the first time, that structure provides reassurance.

A syndicate built on access and involvement

Pompey Ventures operates as a small UK racehorse syndicate with a clear focus on real share ownership and close contact between owners and the team. Shares represent genuine equity in each horse, starting from 2.5 percent, with owners receiving their percentage of prize money and any future resale value.

The group is run by a young, hands-on team who are visible on race days and active in owner chats. Owners deal directly with the partners rather than through layers of management, creating a social and open feel.

Race day badges, stable visits, and regular updates are central to the experience. Communication is clear and informal, shared through group chats, email, and social channels. At least one partner is usually present when a horse runs, helping owners feel supported and involved.

Flexible ownership for different budgets

Alongside smaller shares, Pompey Ventures also offers flexible setups. Larger shares, half shares, or full ownership split between friends are all possible, allowing owners to choose a level that suits both budget and confidence.

This approach has proved popular with newcomers to ownership, who value guidance and honest discussion, as well as experienced fans looking for a closer group dynamic.

Feedback from owners often highlights the welcoming atmosphere and the sense of being part of a team rather than a number in a large syndicate.

NEW JUMPS SYNDICATE HORSE

Pompey Ventures is offering shares in an exciting new horse, Kingmaker, who will be trained by champion trainer Willie Mullins as part of the new PV Jumps Syndicate.

VIEW HORSE

VIEW SYNDICATE INFO

Looking ahead with Kingmaker

With Flat runner Oliver Show set to race in Bahrain over the winter, Kingmaker now carries Pompey Ventures’ colours into a different branch of the sport. The hope is that he can make an impact in the Irish novice hurdle division and remain in training for several seasons.

More broadly, his arrival at Closutton reflects a syndicate growing in confidence. By combining Flat progress with a carefully chosen jumps project, Pompey Ventures continue to shape a model built on access, honesty, and shared involvement.