Tommy Murphy
Tommy Murphy was champion jockey on the Flat in Ireland in 1978. His career was at its zenith during the late 1970s when he rode as stable jockey for the incomparable Vincent O’Brien. He also rode over hurdles, twice winning the Galway Hurdle along with the Gloucestershire Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Tommy Murphy was champion jockey on the Flat in Ireland in 1978. His career was at its zenith during the late 1970s when he rode as stable jockey for the incomparable Vincent O’Brien. He also rode over hurdles, twice winning the Galway Hurdle along with the Gloucestershire Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Thomas Murphy was born in Co. Wexford in 1936. He served his apprenticeship with Milo Walshe in Co. Waterford and then crossed the Irish Sea to try his luck in England. However, things did not work out and, having endured a six-year unsuccessful stint with trainers Fred Rimell and Gordon Smyth, he returned to Ireland in 1963 to take up the post of head lad to Clem Magnier, with the promise of some rides.
Thomas Murphy was born in Co. Wexford in 1936. He served his apprenticeship with Milo Walshe in Co. Waterford and then crossed the Irish Sea to try his luck in England. However, things did not work out and, having endured a six-year unsuccessful stint with trainers Fred Rimell and Gordon Smyth, he returned to Ireland in 1963 to take up the post of head lad to Clem Magnier, with the promise of some rides.
He went on to ride successfully for Magnier, proving himself equally at home over hurdles or on the Flat. He won the Phoenix Stakes on the fast two-year-old colt Pianissimo in 1969 and then, also for Clem Magnier, the following year’s Galway Hurdle on Dictora.
He went on to ride successfully for Magnier, proving himself equally at home over hurdles or on the Flat. He won the Phoenix Stakes on the fast two-year-old colt Pianissimo in 1969 and then, also for Clem Magnier, the following year’s Galway Hurdle on Dictora.
In 1971 he won the Athasi Stakes on Leit Motif and in 1972 secured his second Galway Hurdle on Hardboy. He also rode a Cheltenham Festival winner on Noble Life, trained by Christy Grassick, in the 1972 Gloucestershire Hurdle.
In 1971 he won the Athasi Stakes on Leit Motif and in 1972 secured his second Galway Hurdle on Hardboy. He also rode a Cheltenham Festival winner on Noble Life, trained by Christy Grassick, in the 1972 Gloucestershire Hurdle.
His quiet efficient style and strength in the saddle attracted the attention of master trainer Vincent O’Brien. Tommy joined O’Brien’s Ballydoyle team and from then on concentrated solely on the Flat with ever growing success, his first major victories for O’Brien being the 1974 Greenlands Stakes on Saritamer and the 1974 and 1975 renewals of the Gallinule Stakes on Sir Penfro and King Pellinore. He came close to Classic success when beaten a neck on Tuscarora by Lester Piggott on Juliette Marny in the 1975 Irish Guinness Oaks.
His quiet efficient style and strength in the saddle attracted the attention of master trainer Vincent O’Brien. Tommy joined O’Brien’s Ballydoyle team and from then on concentrated solely on the Flat with ever growing success, his first major victories for O’Brien being the 1974 Greenlands Stakes on Saritamer and the 1974 and 1975 renewals of the Gallinule Stakes on Sir Penfro and King Pellinore. He came close to Classic success when beaten a neck on Tuscarora by Lester Piggott on Juliette Marny in the 1975 Irish Guinness Oaks.
Classic success wasn’t long in coming, however, for in 1977 he won both the Irish One Thousand Guineas on Capulet and the Irish St Leger on Transworld, both trained by O’Brien.
Classic success wasn’t long in coming, however, for in 1977 he won both the Irish One Thousand Guineas on Capulet and the Irish St Leger on Transworld, both trained by O’Brien.
Tommy’s association with O’Brien’s all-conquering stable led to him being crowned Ireland’s champion jockey in 1978 at the age of 42. While the Ballydoyle link was an obvious benefit, it should not be allowed to detract from the merit of the achievement in dethroning reigning champion jockey Wally Swinburn. The O’Brien team went through a relatively lean period that year due to a virus when the season was at its height. Furthermore, in addition to having to go hungry to ride at 8st 7lb, Tommy was often obliged to stand down in favour of Lester Piggott, who invariably had the pick of O’Brien’s horses. Under the circumstances, to ride close on 70 winners was no mean achievement.
Tommy’s association with O’Brien’s all-conquering stable led to him being crowned Ireland’s champion jockey in 1978 at the age of 42. While the Ballydoyle link was an obvious benefit, it should not be allowed to detract from the merit of the achievement in dethroning reigning champion jockey Wally Swinburn. The O’Brien team went through a relatively lean period that year due to a virus when the season was at its height. Furthermore, in addition to having to go hungry to ride at 8st 7lb, Tommy was often obliged to stand down in favour of Lester Piggott, who invariably had the pick of O’Brien’s horses. Under the circumstances, to ride close on 70 winners was no mean achievement.
Whenever other commitments meant Lester was unavailable, Tommy came in for a host of big race victories on Vincent O’Brien’s horses. Among the star performers with whom he was associated were Godswalk, Be My Guest, Solinus and Storm Bird.
Whenever other commitments meant Lester was unavailable, Tommy came in for a host of big race victories on Vincent O’Brien’s horses. Among the star performers with whom he was associated were Godswalk, Be My Guest, Solinus and Storm Bird.
Tommy’s last big race success for O’Brien came on Afghan in the Birdcatcher Nursery at Naas on October 17, 1981. He rode just one more winner, the two-year-old colt Lords, also trained by O’Brien, in a Leopardstown maiden seven days later.
Tommy’s last big race success for O’Brien came on Afghan in the Birdcatcher Nursery at Naas on October 17, 1981. He rode just one more winner, the two-year-old colt Lords, also trained by O’Brien, in a Leopardstown maiden seven days later.
By then, Tommy had announced his decision to retire at the end of the Irish Flat season at Leopardstown on Saturday, November 14, 1981. He rode for the last time that day, finishing ninth on his final mount, Prominent Rose, in division one of the mile-and-a-quarter Cabinteely Flat Race.
By then, Tommy had announced his decision to retire at the end of the Irish Flat season at Leopardstown on Saturday, November 14, 1981. He rode for the last time that day, finishing ninth on his final mount, Prominent Rose, in division one of the mile-and-a-quarter Cabinteely Flat Race.
Following his retirement, Tommy remained a vital cog in the Ballydoyle operation, initially as senior work rider for Vincent O’Brien and later in an advisory capacity to Vincent’s successor and present incumbent at Ballydoyle, Aiden O’Brien.
Following his retirement, Tommy remained a vital cog in the Ballydoyle operation, initially as senior work rider for Vincent O’Brien and later in an advisory capacity to Vincent’s successor and present incumbent at Ballydoyle, Aiden O’Brien.
Irish Classic winners:
Irish Classic winners:
One Thousand Guineas: Capulet (1977) (Sangster)
One Thousand Guineas: Capulet (1977) (Sangster)
St Leger: Transworld (1977)
St Leger: Transworld (1977)
Other big winners include:
Other big winners include:
1969: Phoenix Stakes – Pianissimo
1969: Phoenix Stakes – Pianissimo
1970: Galway Guinness Hurdle – Dictora
1970: Galway Guinness Hurdle – Dictora
1971: Athasi Stakes – Leit Motif
1971: Athasi Stakes – Leit Motif
1972: Gloucestershire Hurdle – Noble Life
1972: Gloucestershire Hurdle – Noble Life
1972: Galway Guinness Hurdle – Hardboy
1972: Galway Guinness Hurdle – Hardboy
1974: Gallinule Stakes – Sir Penfro
1974: Gallinule Stakes – Sir Penfro
1974: Greenlands Stakes – Saritamer
1974: Greenlands Stakes – Saritamer
1975: Gallinule Stakes – King Pellinore
1975: Gallinule Stakes – King Pellinore
1976: Phoenix Stakes – Cloonlara
1976: Phoenix Stakes – Cloonlara
1976: Whitehall Stakes – Nantequos
1976: Whitehall Stakes – Nantequos
1976: Park Stakes – All Serene
1976: Park Stakes – All Serene
1977: Pretty Polly Stakes – Claire’s Slipper
1977: Pretty Polly Stakes – Claire’s Slipper
1977: Ballyogan Stakes – Godswalk
1977: Ballyogan Stakes – Godswalk
1977: Desmond Stakes – Be My Guest
1977: Desmond Stakes – Be My Guest
1977: Park Stakes – Turkish Treasure
1977: Park Stakes – Turkish Treasure
1977: Larkspur Stakes – Try My Best
1977: Larkspur Stakes – Try My Best
1977: Anglesey Stakes – Solinus
1977: Anglesey Stakes – Solinus
1978: Ballyogan Stakes – Solinus
1978: Ballyogan Stakes – Solinus
1978: Railway Stakes – Solar
1978: Railway Stakes – Solar
1979: Beresford Stakes – Huguenot
1979: Beresford Stakes – Huguenot
1980: National Stakes- Storm Bird
1980: National Stakes- Storm Bird
1980: Blandford Stakes – Gonzales
1980: Blandford Stakes – Gonzales
1980: Ballyogan Stakes – Monroe
1980: Ballyogan Stakes – Monroe
1980: Railway Stakes – Lawmaker
1980: Railway Stakes – Lawmaker
1980: Whitehall Stakes – Muscovite
1980: Whitehall Stakes – Muscovite
1980: Anglesey Stakes – Storm Bird
1980: Anglesey Stakes – Storm Bird
1980: Giltown Stud Stakes – Calandra
1980: Giltown Stud Stakes – Calandra
1981: Birdcatcher Nursery – Afghan
1981: Birdcatcher Nursery – Afghan