Laurence Murphy
Laurence Murphy
Laurence Murphy
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Laurence Murphy held a British jump jockey’s licence for just one season, 1957/58, and rode four winners, two seconds and a third from a total of 30 mounts.
Laurence Murphy held a British jump jockey’s licence for just one season, 1957/58, and rode four winners, two seconds and a third from a total of 30 mounts.
Prior to that he had ridden winners in his native Ireland, including the Arthur Blennerhassett Memorial Chase at Tralee in September 1953 on Organist, and two at Limerick on Marie Lime in December 1954 and May 1955, both horses trained by P.P. Hogan.
Prior to that he had ridden winners in his native Ireland, including the Arthur Blennerhassett Memorial Chase at Tralee in September 1953 on Organist, and two at Limerick on Marie Lime in December 1954 and May 1955, both horses trained by P.P. Hogan.
He had his first ride in England at Devon & Exeter on August 21, 1957, when his mount Seretse was one of seven fallers in the Tracey Novices’ Chase. The first of his quartet of victories came almost three months later when Trimsleigh, trained by Earl Jones, landed the Borough Selling Handicap Hurdle at Warwick on November 13, beating Theologian, ridden by Derek Leslie, by three lengths.
He had his first ride in England at Devon & Exeter on August 21, 1957, when his mount Seretse was one of seven fallers in the Tracey Novices’ Chase. The first of his quartet of victories came almost three months later when Trimsleigh, trained by Earl Jones, landed the Borough Selling Handicap Hurdle at Warwick on November 13, beating Theologian, ridden by Derek Leslie, by three lengths.
Laurence had partnered the six-year-old for the first time on his previous start when second at Stratford 11 days earlier, beaten by Jacobina, a successful mount over hurdles for top Flat jockey Jimmy Lindley.
Laurence had partnered the six-year-old for the first time on his previous start when second at Stratford 11 days earlier, beaten by Jacobina, a successful mount over hurdles for top Flat jockey Jimmy Lindley.
On November 16 Laurence doubled his score when Padleigh, also trained by Earl Jones, won the Borough Selling Handicap Chase at Cheltenham. They followed up nine days later when taking the Shifnal Selling Handicap Chase at Wolverhampton, leading all the way to give Laurence his third win in the space of 12 days. Three subsequent starts on Padleigh only yielded two fourth places.
On November 16 Laurence doubled his score when Padleigh, also trained by Earl Jones, won the Borough Selling Handicap Chase at Cheltenham. They followed up nine days later when taking the Shifnal Selling Handicap Chase at Wolverhampton, leading all the way to give Laurence his third win in the space of 12 days. Three subsequent starts on Padleigh only yielded two fourth places.
A return visit to Wolverhampton on March 3, 1958 provided Laurence with his fourth and final victory when Padleigh won another race named the Shifnal Selling Handicap Chase, again making all and narrowly repelling the challenge of Derek Leslie on Tinker Johnny by a short head.
A return visit to Wolverhampton on March 3, 1958 provided Laurence with his fourth and final victory when Padleigh won another race named the Shifnal Selling Handicap Chase, again making all and narrowly repelling the challenge of Derek Leslie on Tinker Johnny by a short head.
Laurence had two more unplaced rides on Padleigh, the second of these at Taunton in the Ilchester Handicap Chase on April 12, that being the final ride of his brief British career.
Laurence had two more unplaced rides on Padleigh, the second of these at Taunton in the Ilchester Handicap Chase on April 12, that being the final ride of his brief British career.
Trimsleigh: Laurence Murphy's first winner
Padleigh, his second winner, came at Cheltenham
Laurence's third win
His fourth and final win came on Padleigh