Maureen Mullins, one of Irish racing's treasures, has passed away peacefully at home, aged 94.

Married to the late Paddy, a champion trainer, she was the mother of trainers Willie, Tom, Tony and Sandra, and horse transporter George.

The matriarch of the Mullins racing dynasty, Mrs Mullins has been a fixture on Irish tracks for over 80 years. She attended her first point-to-point aged seven and never lost her enthusiasm for the sport. She continued to enjoy the racecourse successes of her grandchildren Patrick, Danny, Emmet, Charlie and now-retired David right up to her final days.

In December 2016 Horse Racing Ireland presented Mrs Mullins with the Contribution to the Industry Award at Leopardstown.

At that time HRI chief executive Brian Kavanagh described Mrs Mullins as "the first lady of Irish racing". He said: "From the likes of Hurry Harriet, Dawn Run, Grabel and Vintage Tipple, Maureen has witnessed the highs of racing on many occasions and is without doubt one of the most popular figures on the Irish racing scene.”

Her son Tony described his mother as the "real backbone of the whole Mullins story".

Maureen Mullins won on her sole racecourse ride, Razzo Forte, in a female riders' event at Gowran Park in 1982.

In November 2022 the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners honoured Mrs Mullins with an award at the Cashel Palace Hotel in Co Tipperary.

She was involved as an owner and breeder down the years, with Kilcruit a recent feather in her cap. The horse initially raced in her colours before being sold and later won the Grade 1 Punchestown bumper.

Suzanne Eade, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, said: “Mrs Mullins was a hugely popular figure in the horse racing community and I wish to offer my sincere condolences to her daughter Sandra, sons, Willie, Tony, George and Tom, to her grandchildren and wider family members on their loss.

“It was fitting that Mrs Mullins was the recipient of HRI’s Contribution to the Industry Award in 2016, recognising her great many years of involvement in racing. She was an enthusiastic racegoer to say the least and it was wonderful that she was still attending race meetings until very recently.

“Mrs Mullins was the matriarch of a true racing dynasty. A strong and independent woman, she will certainly be missed from the racecourses the length and breadth of the country.”

The British Horseracing Authority paid tribute to her “tremendous passion for the sport”, saying: “All of us at the BHA are saddened to learn of the passing of Maureen Mullins. We extend our condolences to the Mullins family today.

“Maureen Mullins had a tremendous passion for the sport to which she gave so much and her legacy will continue to be felt for generations to come.”

Funeral details are as follows.

Maureen Mullins (nee Doran) Doninga, Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny has died peacefully at her home on the 14th of February. Predeceased by her husband Paddy. Sadly missed by her children, Sandra (McCarthy), William, George, Tony and Tom, spouses and partner, ten grandchildren, sisters Elizabeth and Angela, brothers Tom and Noel. Predeceased by her siblings, Peggy, Agnes Patricia, Eileen, George and Michael, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Reposing at her son George's home in Closutton, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow, R21 W725 on Thursday, 15th February, from 3pm-8pm. Requiem Mass at 12 o clock on Friday in the Church of the Holy Trinity, Goresbridge followed by burial in the new cemetery, Goresbridge.