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Barry Murphy
Article by Alan Trout
Barry John Murphy may only have ridden eight winners under National Hunt rules but few jockeys have their for taste of success in the race after the Grand National.
Barry John Murphy may only have ridden eight winners under National Hunt rules but few jockeys have their for taste of success in the race after the Grand National.
He was the son of Ferdy Murphy, who trained privately for owner Geoff Hubbard at the time, based at Woodbridge in Suffolk. The licence was actually in Hubbard’s name, hence Barry officially began his career as a conditional with him, although effectively riding for his father. He made his debut at Stratford on May 20, 1988, when John O’Dee was last of six finishers in the Jim Slater Conditional Jockeys’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.
He was the son of Ferdy Murphy, who trained privately for owner Geoff Hubbard at the time, based at Woodbridge in Suffolk. The licence was actually in Hubbard’s name, hence Barry officially began his career as a conditional with him, although effectively riding for his father. He made his debut at Stratford on May 20, 1988, when John O’Dee was last of six finishers in the Jim Slater Conditional Jockeys’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.
He got off the mark at Liverpool on April 8, 1989, less than an hour after Little Polveir had landed the day’s big prize, making virtually all the running over the Mildmay fences on Gee-a to win the White Satin Chase by eight lengths. The race was confined to conditional and amateur riders, meaning it was unlikely to involve a Grand National-winning rider having to go out and ride in the next race.
He got off the mark at Liverpool on April 8, 1989, less than an hour after Little Polveir had landed the day’s big prize, making virtually all the running over the Mildmay fences on Gee-a to win the White Satin Chase by eight lengths. The race was confined to conditional and amateur riders, meaning it was unlikely to involve a Grand National-winning rider having to go out and ride in the next race.
The ten-year-old Gee-a was officially owned and trained by Geoff Hubbard but credit for the horse’s conditioning went to Ferdy Murphy. Gee-a had won at the corresponding meeting two years earlier under Gee Armitage and had been her mount in the 1988 Grand National, leading for part of the second circuit before being pulled up at the 26th fence.
The ten-year-old Gee-a was officially owned and trained by Geoff Hubbard but credit for the horse’s conditioning went to Ferdy Murphy. Gee-a had won at the corresponding meeting two years earlier under Gee Armitage and had been her mount in the 1988 Grand National, leading for part of the second circuit before being pulled up at the 26th fence.
Barry had one more, unplaced, ride on Gee-a and one more win that season. He then made a good start to the 1989/90 campaign when winning at Huntingdon’s August Bank Holiday meeting, one of three winners officially trained by Geoff Hubbard that afternoon.
Barry had one more, unplaced, ride on Gee-a and one more win that season. He then made a good start to the 1989/90 campaign when winning at Huntingdon’s August Bank Holiday meeting, one of three winners officially trained by Geoff Hubbard that afternoon.
After one more success Barry did not enter the winner’s enclosure again for more than three and a half years, but he did have four more victories when riding for his father who was by then training in his own right.
After one more success Barry did not enter the winner’s enclosure again for more than three and a half years, but he did have four more victories when riding for his father who was by then training in his own right.
His final success was on Bustinello who proved far too good for his six rivals in the Jolly Fisherman Novices’ Chase at Market Rasen on September 25, 1993, scoring by 15 lengths. Next time out they fell when leading at the second last fence. Although Barry finished second five times that season, there were no more wins.
His final success was on Bustinello who proved far too good for his six rivals in the Jolly Fisherman Novices’ Chase at Market Rasen on September 25, 1993, scoring by 15 lengths. Next time out they fell when leading at the second last fence. Although Barry finished second five times that season, there were no more wins.
Barry Murphy’s winners were, in chronological order:
Barry Murphy’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Gee-a, Liverpool, April 8, 1989
1. Gee-a, Liverpool, April 8, 1989
2. Brandeston, Huntingdon, May 11, 1989
2. Brandeston, Huntingdon, May 11, 1989
3. Clopton, Huntingdon, August 28, 1989
3. Clopton, Huntingdon, August 28, 1989
4. Vaguely Artistic, Worcester, October 7, 1989
4. Vaguely Artistic, Worcester, October 7, 1989
5. Private Audition, Worcester, April 14, 1993
5. Private Audition, Worcester, April 14, 1993
6. Mr-Paw, Market Rasen, June 5, 1993
6. Mr-Paw, Market Rasen, June 5, 1993
7. Mr-Paw, Huntingdon, August 30, 1993
7. Mr-Paw, Huntingdon, August 30, 1993
8. Bustinello, Market Rasen, September 25, 1993
8. Bustinello, Market Rasen, September 25, 1993
Barry Murphy's first winner: Gee-a, Liverpool, April 8, 1989
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