Declan Murphy
On Monday, May 2, 1994, Irishman Declan Joseph Murphy climbed aboard the 11/2 favourite, Arcot, and made his way down to the start of Haydock's Crowther Homes Swinton Handicap Hurdle.
On Monday, May 2, 1994, Irishman Declan Joseph Murphy climbed aboard the 11/2 favourite, Arcot, and made his way down to the start of Haydock's Crowther Homes Swinton Handicap Hurdle.
The 27-year-old jockey was, with 58 winners, enjoying his best season. He also figured among the jockeys with the lowest percentage of falls.
The 27-year-old jockey was, with 58 winners, enjoying his best season. He also figured among the jockeys with the lowest percentage of falls.
As the field approached the last hurdle, Declan and Arcot lay in third, waiting to launch a late challenge.
As the field approached the last hurdle, Declan and Arcot lay in third, waiting to launch a late challenge.
Then - disaster!
Then - disaster!
Arcot fell heavily, throwing Declan to the ground in front of a holiday crowd of 8,000.
Arcot fell heavily, throwing Declan to the ground in front of a holiday crowd of 8,000.
As he lay on the ground, the jockey was kicked in back of the head by Cockney Lad, the force of the blow breaking the unlucky rider's skull cap.
As he lay on the ground, the jockey was kicked in back of the head by Cockney Lad, the force of the blow breaking the unlucky rider's skull cap.
He was immediately rushed to Walton Hospital, Liverpool, in a critical condition. Arcot was destroyed.
He was immediately rushed to Walton Hospital, Liverpool, in a critical condition. Arcot was destroyed.
Declan Murphy was born Co Limerick on March 5, 1967, the second youngest of eight children to the manager of a local waterworks in the village of Hospital in County Limerick.
Declan Murphy was born Co Limerick on March 5, 1967, the second youngest of eight children to the manager of a local waterworks in the village of Hospital in County Limerick.
His brother, Pat, was then a success jockey before becoming a trainer whilst another brother, Eamon, was attached to Josh Gifford's yard at Findon. Kaithlin, his sister, was a leading woman rider in Ireland and had won the Ladies' Grand National.
His brother, Pat, was then a success jockey before becoming a trainer whilst another brother, Eamon, was attached to Josh Gifford's yard at Findon. Kaithlin, his sister, was a leading woman rider in Ireland and had won the Ladies' Grand National.
Little wonder, with so much racing blood in the family, that Declan at the age of 10 rode a winner in his very first pony race. A year later he was Irish pony racing champion.
Little wonder, with so much racing blood in the family, that Declan at the age of 10 rode a winner in his very first pony race. A year later he was Irish pony racing champion.
Declan then became the champion amateur in Ireland and, in 1985, decided to move to England.
Declan then became the champion amateur in Ireland and, in 1985, decided to move to England.
The noted trainer and gambler Barney Curley had been on the look-out for a jockey from Ireland and Declan had been strongly recommended. At the interview Declan reassured the trainer; 'Don't worry - I'll be good enough.'
The noted trainer and gambler Barney Curley had been on the look-out for a jockey from Ireland and Declan had been strongly recommended. At the interview Declan reassured the trainer; 'Don't worry - I'll be good enough.'
Though trainer and jockey shared a mutual admiration, Declan realized that in order to further his career, he would need to ride for a wider range of trainers. Consequently, at the start of the 1992-93 season, he was appointed as first jockey to Josh Gifford for whom Declan's brother Eamon had once worked.
Though trainer and jockey shared a mutual admiration, Declan realized that in order to further his career, he would need to ride for a wider range of trainers. Consequently, at the start of the 1992-93 season, he was appointed as first jockey to Josh Gifford for whom Declan's brother Eamon had once worked.
The former Grand National-winning jockey and trainer, Bruce Hobbs, did much to propel Declan to the front rank of jockeys.
The former Grand National-winning jockey and trainer, Bruce Hobbs, did much to propel Declan to the front rank of jockeys.
Declan and Argot had fallen together before, at Cheltenham, when the horse crashed out at the second last. Though badly shaken and suffering from a cracking headache and blurred vision, Declan got up off the floor to partner Badbury Star to a famous victory half hour later in the Mackeson Gold Cup.
Declan and Argot had fallen together before, at Cheltenham, when the horse crashed out at the second last. Though badly shaken and suffering from a cracking headache and blurred vision, Declan got up off the floor to partner Badbury Star to a famous victory half hour later in the Mackeson Gold Cup.
Other big wins included the 1989 & 1993 Irish Champion Hurdles, the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in 1993 on Deep Sensation and the Tripleprint Gold Cup in 1993 with Fragrant Dawn.
Other big wins included the 1989 & 1993 Irish Champion Hurdles, the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in 1993 on Deep Sensation and the Tripleprint Gold Cup in 1993 with Fragrant Dawn.
Up to his accident, Declan had ridden over 300 winners un England and Ireland.
Up to his accident, Declan had ridden over 300 winners un England and Ireland.
This was a particularly bad week for sporting deaths. Ayrton Senna, Roland Ratzenberger - both grand prix drivers - boxer Bradley Stone and fellow jockey Steve Wood all perished competing in the sport they loved.
This was a particularly bad week for sporting deaths. Ayrton Senna, Roland Ratzenberger - both grand prix drivers - boxer Bradley Stone and fellow jockey Steve Wood all perished competing in the sport they loved.
Declan Murphy, however, was to survive.
Declan Murphy, however, was to survive.
His family, including his two brothers, maintained a bedside vigil. On Friday May 6, Declan regained consciousness and was responding to questions. He was eventually allowed home on May 11 under the care of his own doctor.
His family, including his two brothers, maintained a bedside vigil. On Friday May 6, Declan regained consciousness and was responding to questions. He was eventually allowed home on May 11 under the care of his own doctor.
On Tuesday, October 10, 1995, the resilient Declan Murphy climbed aboard the 3/1 favourite Jibereen at Chepstow.
On Tuesday, October 10, 1995, the resilient Declan Murphy climbed aboard the 3/1 favourite Jibereen at Chepstow.
Incredibly, Declan made every yard of the running to win by three-quarters of a length.
Incredibly, Declan made every yard of the running to win by three-quarters of a length.
Dismounting, grinning Declan said 'I've never been this high in my life. People pay a lot of money to try to feel like this, but I've just been paid. To ride again, to race again, to win again - it was an impossible dream and it has become reality: words can't express it.'
Dismounting, grinning Declan said 'I've never been this high in my life. People pay a lot of money to try to feel like this, but I've just been paid. To ride again, to race again, to win again - it was an impossible dream and it has become reality: words can't express it.'
In the annuls of turf history, it was a magnificent, fairy-tale achievement.
In the annuls of turf history, it was a magnificent, fairy-tale achievement.
Or was it?
Or was it?
Within a fortnight, the Jockey Club were investigating whether his comeback after a 17 months' absence really was the stuff of dreams or could there have been a more unworthy explanation?
Within a fortnight, the Jockey Club were investigating whether his comeback after a 17 months' absence really was the stuff of dreams or could there have been a more unworthy explanation?
His comeback ride, Jibereen, had never been seriously challenged by any of his 11 opponents in the 7 furlong race and, more worryingly, odd betting patterns on the race began to emerge, arousing the interest of the Jockey Club's security department.
His comeback ride, Jibereen, had never been seriously challenged by any of his 11 opponents in the 7 furlong race and, more worryingly, odd betting patterns on the race began to emerge, arousing the interest of the Jockey Club's security department.
The horse had been heavily supported, being backed down from 11-2 to 3-1 favourite.
The horse had been heavily supported, being backed down from 11-2 to 3-1 favourite.
Then the security department began focusing on Chepstow's Annual Flat v Jump Jockeys' Challenge in which rides are determined by ballot.
Then the security department began focusing on Chepstow's Annual Flat v Jump Jockeys' Challenge in which rides are determined by ballot.
Three days before Declan partnered Jibereen in this race, he went to the Epsom stables of Geoff Lewis, who trained the horse, and rode it out at exercise.
Three days before Declan partnered Jibereen in this race, he went to the Epsom stables of Geoff Lewis, who trained the horse, and rode it out at exercise.
Declan said that his drawing of Jibereen in the ballot 24 before the race was 'a complete coincidence'.
Declan said that his drawing of Jibereen in the ballot 24 before the race was 'a complete coincidence'.
Declan, Geoff Lewis and Rodger Farrant, Chepstow's clerk of the course who conducted the ballot, all reacted angrily to the security department's actions, but in vain.
Declan, Geoff Lewis and Rodger Farrant, Chepstow's clerk of the course who conducted the ballot, all reacted angrily to the security department's actions, but in vain.
This whiff of scandal was enough to sour the result.
This whiff of scandal was enough to sour the result.
The inquiry petered out to an unsatisfactory conclusion.
The inquiry petered out to an unsatisfactory conclusion.
Charlie Swan, the rider on Cockney Lad, said after the race, 'I thought I had killed him. I heard a crashing sound as my horse went over Declan and I thought he was dead. I know, rationally, that it wouldn't have been my fault but I would have felt that it was me who did it. I've been close to Declan since pony days and even shared digs with him. If he had died, it would always have been on my mind and would definitely have shortened my career.'
Charlie Swan, the rider on Cockney Lad, said after the race, 'I thought I had killed him. I heard a crashing sound as my horse went over Declan and I thought he was dead. I know, rationally, that it wouldn't have been my fault but I would have felt that it was me who did it. I've been close to Declan since pony days and even shared digs with him. If he had died, it would always have been on my mind and would definitely have shortened my career.'
In November 6, 1995, Declan began working for The Racing Channel, taking part in its inaugural performance. On October 30, 1997, he quit, having suffered from headaches for a few weeks.
In November 6, 1995, Declan began working for The Racing Channel, taking part in its inaugural performance. On October 30, 1997, he quit, having suffered from headaches for a few weeks.
Declan Murphy
Declan Murphy
Big winners:
Big winners:
1989: Irish Champion Hurdle – Kingsmill
1989: Irish Champion Hurdle – Kingsmill
1992: H & T Walker Gold Cup – Deep Sensation
1992: H & T Walker Gold Cup – Deep Sensation
1993: Irish Champion Hurdle – Royal Derbi
1993: Irish Champion Hurdle – Royal Derbi
1993: Queen Mother Champion Chase – Deep Sensation
1993: Queen Mother Champion Chase – Deep Sensation
1993: Mackeson Gold Cup – Bradbury Star
1993: Mackeson Gold Cup – Bradbury Star
1993: Tripleprint Gold Cup – Fragrant Dawn
1993: Tripleprint Gold Cup – Fragrant Dawn
1994: Cheltenham Silver Trophy – Gale Again
1994: Cheltenham Silver Trophy – Gale Again