Barry Murtagh
Article & photo: Chris Pitt
Article & photo: Chris Pitt
Finbarr Patrick Murtagh, always known as Barry, was born in Congress Avenue, Drogheda, County Louth on November 14, 1967. His family didn’t care much for racing. His interest stemmed from friends who owned point-to-pointers. That led to him becoming a conditional jockey with Tommy Carberry in Ireland.
Finbarr Patrick Murtagh, always known as Barry, was born in Congress Avenue, Drogheda, County Louth on November 14, 1967. His family didn’t care much for racing. His interest stemmed from friends who owned point-to-pointers. That led to him becoming a conditional jockey with Tommy Carberry in Ireland.
He subsequently made his way to England and joined Jonjo O’Neill, who was then based at Penrith. He rode his first winner on Jonjo’s mare Dawn Blade in division one of the Roger Fisher National Hunt Flat Race at Ayr on January 28, 1989. They followed up next time out at Warwick on February 7.
He subsequently made his way to England and joined Jonjo O’Neill, who was then based at Penrith. He rode his first winner on Jonjo’s mare Dawn Blade in division one of the Roger Fisher National Hunt Flat Race at Ayr on January 28, 1989. They followed up next time out at Warwick on February 7.
He went on to enjoy a brief but successful career in the saddle over the next three years, riding a total of 38 winners, the last of them being on Vado Via trained by David Wintle, in a conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle at Haydock on November 11, 1992.
He went on to enjoy a brief but successful career in the saddle over the next three years, riding a total of 38 winners, the last of them being on Vado Via trained by David Wintle, in a conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle at Haydock on November 11, 1992.
Barry gave up race-riding soon after and spent two years as head lad to the rapidly expanding O'Neill operation. He settled nearby after marrying Sue, with whom he intended to break in horses for other trainers at Hurst Farm in Ivegill, Carlisle, the rundown site of her grandparents’ former business. But more and more owners asked him to train their horses, so he took out a licence in August 1995. The couple built the stables and ran every aspect of the operation virtually alone.
Barry gave up race-riding soon after and spent two years as head lad to the rapidly expanding O'Neill operation. He settled nearby after marrying Sue, with whom he intended to break in horses for other trainers at Hurst Farm in Ivegill, Carlisle, the rundown site of her grandparents’ former business. But more and more owners asked him to train their horses, so he took out a licence in August 1995. The couple built the stables and ran every aspect of the operation virtually alone.
In May 1998, Barry suffered severe head injuries in a freak riding accident on Askham Fell, near Pooley Bridge, when his horse stumbled and fell while doing routine exercise, throwing him face-first into a stone wall while. He narrowly escaped losing an eye. Surgeons inserted a plate above his left eye and he required 72 stitches running down his face.
In May 1998, Barry suffered severe head injuries in a freak riding accident on Askham Fell, near Pooley Bridge, when his horse stumbled and fell while doing routine exercise, throwing him face-first into a stone wall while. He narrowly escaped losing an eye. Surgeons inserted a plate above his left eye and he required 72 stitches running down his face.
He landed something of a gamble with Earp, who won a lady riders’ handicap hurdle at Huntingdon on March 17, 1999, St Patrick’s Day, having been backed down from big prices to 7-1.
He landed something of a gamble with Earp, who won a lady riders’ handicap hurdle at Huntingdon on March 17, 1999, St Patrick’s Day, having been backed down from big prices to 7-1.
The stable’s first real flag bearer was Grey Abbey. Barry trained him to win three hurdles and five chases including the Grade 2 Future Champions Novice Chase at Ayr in April 2001. The horse was later transferred to Howard Johnson’s stable in 2004, for whom he went on to win several more races including the Scottish Grand National, Charlie Hall Chase and Betfair Bowl.
The stable’s first real flag bearer was Grey Abbey. Barry trained him to win three hurdles and five chases including the Grade 2 Future Champions Novice Chase at Ayr in April 2001. The horse was later transferred to Howard Johnson’s stable in 2004, for whom he went on to win several more races including the Scottish Grand National, Charlie Hall Chase and Betfair Bowl.
Barry was in the wars again in October 2009. He was left nursing four fractures in a broken left shoulder and s broken arm following a fall when cantering s horse on the gallops.
Barry was in the wars again in October 2009. He was left nursing four fractures in a broken left shoulder and s broken arm following a fall when cantering s horse on the gallops.
Barry and Sue continue to train at Hurst Farm. They have two sons, Connor and Lorcan, both of whom have enjoyed considerable success as jockeys, Lorcan over jumps, Connor on the Flat.
Barry and Sue continue to train at Hurst Farm. They have two sons, Connor and Lorcan, both of whom have enjoyed considerable success as jockeys, Lorcan over jumps, Connor on the Flat.