Tony Murray
In 1992, aged 41, Anthony Patrick Murray died from a cocktail of drink and pills. His body was discovered at his Wiltshire home by trainer Richard Hannon.
In 1992, aged 41, Anthony Patrick Murray died from a cocktail of drink and pills. His body was discovered at his Wiltshire home by trainer Richard Hannon.
Yet it had all began so promisingly.
Yet it had all began so promisingly.
He was born at Wantage, Berkshire, on 18 February 1950.
He was born at Wantage, Berkshire, on 18 February 1950.
His father, Patrick Murray, a more than competent jump jockey, was employed by Reg Hobbs, a trainer who turned out so many good winners, including the pony-sized American stallion Battleship, ridden by his tall, and exceedingly charming, son Bruce, who won the 1938 Grand National.
His father, Patrick Murray, a more than competent jump jockey, was employed by Reg Hobbs, a trainer who turned out so many good winners, including the pony-sized American stallion Battleship, ridden by his tall, and exceedingly charming, son Bruce, who won the 1938 Grand National.
Paddy married a Wantage girl: she gave him Tony and it was only natural that Patrick would entrust his son to his old friend and crack trainer Frenchie Nicholson. Nicholson's reputation and ability to produce great jockeys were legendary.
Paddy married a Wantage girl: she gave him Tony and it was only natural that Patrick would entrust his son to his old friend and crack trainer Frenchie Nicholson. Nicholson's reputation and ability to produce great jockeys were legendary.
Tony's first winner was Guardian Oak at Windsor on May 23, 1966.
Tony's first winner was Guardian Oak at Windsor on May 23, 1966.
In his first season under Nicholson he rode fourteen winners. Subsequent years produced 37, 31, 44, 69, 112 and 122.
In his first season under Nicholson he rode fourteen winners. Subsequent years produced 37, 31, 44, 69, 112 and 122.
Impressive figures which would have been even more startling but for a near-fatal fall riding Windy Breeze in July 1968, at a Windsor evening when he was put over the rails out in the country. His jaw was broken yet, in keeping with his character, it toughened him up. Curiously, after this fall he always looked older than his years.
Impressive figures which would have been even more startling but for a near-fatal fall riding Windy Breeze in July 1968, at a Windsor evening when he was put over the rails out in the country. His jaw was broken yet, in keeping with his character, it toughened him up. Curiously, after this fall he always looked older than his years.
He said later "I was put over the rails. I shall never believe that it was an accident. My jaw was broken in 48 places just like a shattered teacup and I was in hospital for seven weeks. I resumed at Lingfield on September 25th. Three days later I won the Royal Lodge Stakes at Ascot."
He said later "I was put over the rails. I shall never believe that it was an accident. My jaw was broken in 48 places just like a shattered teacup and I was in hospital for seven weeks. I resumed at Lingfield on September 25th. Three days later I won the Royal Lodge Stakes at Ascot."
Tony had a short spell riding for Doug Smith before moving on to ride for the enigmatic Ryan Price, for whom he won the 1972 Oaks on the temperamental and virtually uncontrollable Ginerva. Lester Piggott once remarked that the filly would someday kill someone.
Tony had a short spell riding for Doug Smith before moving on to ride for the enigmatic Ryan Price, for whom he won the 1972 Oaks on the temperamental and virtually uncontrollable Ginerva. Lester Piggott once remarked that the filly would someday kill someone.
Tony then had the good fortune to be associated with Sanford Lad, the European Champion sprinter.
Tony then had the good fortune to be associated with Sanford Lad, the European Champion sprinter.
He said at the time "I always thought he would have done even better over seven furlongs or a mile but there were more opportunities and money in sprints and that is what he was kept for.
He said at the time "I always thought he would have done even better over seven furlongs or a mile but there were more opportunities and money in sprints and that is what he was kept for.
Tony then excelled on Charles St George's Giacometti, unbeaten in his first season with wins in the Gimcrack and the Champagne Stakes. St George also owned Ginerva, and Tony looked forward to riding this colt in the 1974 St Leger. But it was not to be. Inexplicably, he was jocked off Giacometti in favour of Lester Piggott. Understandably, he was sickened.
Tony then excelled on Charles St George's Giacometti, unbeaten in his first season with wins in the Gimcrack and the Champagne Stakes. St George also owned Ginerva, and Tony looked forward to riding this colt in the 1974 St Leger. But it was not to be. Inexplicably, he was jocked off Giacometti in favour of Lester Piggott. Understandably, he was sickened.
Tony continued to ride for Ryan Price until emigrating to France then on to Ireland riding for the likes of top trainer Vincent O'Brien.
Tony continued to ride for Ryan Price until emigrating to France then on to Ireland riding for the likes of top trainer Vincent O'Brien.
He once remarked “When you lose a race it's a matter of passing the buck. The owner blames the trainer, the trainer blames the jockey, and the jockey blames the poor old horse. I'm sure if the horse could speak it would blame the owner, or the going, or the excessive weight it was set to carry.”
He once remarked “When you lose a race it's a matter of passing the buck. The owner blames the trainer, the trainer blames the jockey, and the jockey blames the poor old horse. I'm sure if the horse could speak it would blame the owner, or the going, or the excessive weight it was set to carry.”
No blame was necessary after a peerless front-running victory on outsider Tyrnavos in the 1980 Irish Derby. This was possibly his greatest ever performance.
No blame was necessary after a peerless front-running victory on outsider Tyrnavos in the 1980 Irish Derby. This was possibly his greatest ever performance.
Ginerva (1972 Oaks) and Bruni (1975 St Leger) were his only classic wins in Britain.
Ginerva (1972 Oaks) and Bruni (1975 St Leger) were his only classic wins in Britain.
He came third in the 1974 Derby on Giacometti, second on Dickens Hill in 1979 and third on Silver Hawk in 1982. He won the Eclipse Stakes on Dickens Hill and the Champion Stakes on Cairn Rouge.
He came third in the 1974 Derby on Giacometti, second on Dickens Hill in 1979 and third on Silver Hawk in 1982. He won the Eclipse Stakes on Dickens Hill and the Champion Stakes on Cairn Rouge.
He won the Coronation Stakes twice: Cairn Rouge (1980 & Al Bahathri (1985).He had spells riding in France and Ireland and was second in the Irish jockeys' table in 1979 (beaten 68 - 66 by Christy Roche).
He won the Coronation Stakes twice: Cairn Rouge (1980 & Al Bahathri (1985).He had spells riding in France and Ireland and was second in the Irish jockeys' table in 1979 (beaten 68 - 66 by Christy Roche).
Tony came closest to winning the British championship in 1972, when he was second to Willie Carson with 122 winners.
Tony came closest to winning the British championship in 1972, when he was second to Willie Carson with 122 winners.
In 1984, he became stable jockey to Harry Thomson Jones which produced another Irish classic victory with the filly Al Bahathri in the One Thousand Guineas in 1985 after being beaten just a short head in the One Thousand Guineas at Newmarket. In that year, Tony rode his third Gimcrack winner, Doulab, as well as helping to land a Cesarewitch gamble on the northern-trained Kayudee.
In 1984, he became stable jockey to Harry Thomson Jones which produced another Irish classic victory with the filly Al Bahathri in the One Thousand Guineas in 1985 after being beaten just a short head in the One Thousand Guineas at Newmarket. In that year, Tony rode his third Gimcrack winner, Doulab, as well as helping to land a Cesarewitch gamble on the northern-trained Kayudee.
After a twenty-year career, Tony retired from the saddle in 1986 and later became racing manager for leading owner Tony Budge for whom Richard Hannon trained. Hannon enjoyed an incredible run in 1991, much of it helped by Tony's choice of bloodstock.
After a twenty-year career, Tony retired from the saddle in 1986 and later became racing manager for leading owner Tony Budge for whom Richard Hannon trained. Hannon enjoyed an incredible run in 1991, much of it helped by Tony's choice of bloodstock.
His sister Judy said that there were many factors that caused him to become unbalanced in the end. Tony had health fears and was constantly troubled by ulcers caused by many years of dieting. Also, he never got over the death of his father and a brother.
His sister Judy said that there were many factors that caused him to become unbalanced in the end. Tony had health fears and was constantly troubled by ulcers caused by many years of dieting. Also, he never got over the death of his father and a brother.
The separation from his wife, Jane - the daughter of trainer Ryan Price - had broken his heart; he was also always fretting about failure.
The separation from his wife, Jane - the daughter of trainer Ryan Price - had broken his heart; he was also always fretting about failure.
His funeral took place at Salisbury Crematorium on Thursday, January 16; his mother banned all racing people from it. She wanted the funeral to be for family members only.
His funeral took place at Salisbury Crematorium on Thursday, January 16; his mother banned all racing people from it. She wanted the funeral to be for family members only.
A memorial service was held at St Paul's Church, Wilton Place, Knightsbridge on Thursday, 20 February.
A memorial service was held at St Paul's Church, Wilton Place, Knightsbridge on Thursday, 20 February.
Tony Murray
Tony Murray
Classic winners:
Classic winners:
Oaks: Ginevra (1972)
Oaks: Ginevra (1972)
St Leger: Bruni (1975)
St Leger: Bruni (1975)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1967: Great Metropolitan Handicap – Moon Storm
1967: Great Metropolitan Handicap – Moon Storm
1967: Victoria Cup – Hadrian
1967: Victoria Cup – Hadrian
1968: Ascot Stakes – King Of Peace
1968: Ascot Stakes – King Of Peace
1969: Queen Mary Stakes – Farfalla
1969: Queen Mary Stakes – Farfalla
1969: National Stakes – Quarryknowe
1969: National Stakes – Quarryknowe
1970: Great Jubilee Handicap – Blue Yonder
1970: Great Jubilee Handicap – Blue Yonder
1970: Horris Hill Stakes – Good Bond
1970: Horris Hill Stakes – Good Bond
1971: Craven Stakes – Levanter
1971: Craven Stakes – Levanter
1971: Fred Darling Stakes – Rotisserie
1971: Fred Darling Stakes – Rotisserie
1971: Sandown Classic Trial – L’Apache
1971: Sandown Classic Trial – L’Apache
1971: Cheshire Oaks – Velda
1971: Cheshire Oaks – Velda
1971: Lowther Stakes – Rose Dubarry
1971: Lowther Stakes – Rose Dubarry
1971: Flying Childers Stakes – Rose Dubarry
1971: Flying Childers Stakes – Rose Dubarry
1972: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Ginevra
1972: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Ginevra
1972: Queen Mary Stakes – Truly Thankful
1972: Queen Mary Stakes – Truly Thankful
1972: Ribblesdale Stakes – Star Ship
1972: Ribblesdale Stakes – Star Ship
1972: Lancashire Oaks – Star Ship
1972: Lancashire Oaks – Star Ship
1972: Northern Goldsmith’s Handicap – Hardy Scot
1972: Northern Goldsmith’s Handicap – Hardy Scot
1973: Thirsk Classic Trial – Funny Fellow
1973: Thirsk Classic Trial – Funny Fellow
1973: King George V Stakes – Sandford Lad
1973: King George V Stakes – Sandford Lad
1973: Nunthorpe Stakes – Sandford Lad
1973: Nunthorpe Stakes – Sandford Lad
1973: Gimcrack Stakes – Giacometti
1973: Gimcrack Stakes – Giacometti
1973: Champagne Stakes – Giacometti
1973: Champagne Stakes – Giacometti
1973: Park Hill Stakes – Reload
1973: Park Hill Stakes – Reload
1974: Greenham Stakes – Glen Strae
1974: Greenham Stakes – Glen Strae
1975: Queen Mary Stakes – Rory’s Rocket
1975: Queen Mary Stakes – Rory’s Rocket
1976: Park Hill Stakes – African Dancer
1976: Park Hill Stakes – African Dancer
1979: Eclipse Stakes – Dickens Hill
1979: Eclipse Stakes – Dickens Hill
1980: Bessborough Stakes – Barley Hill
1980: Bessborough Stakes – Barley Hill
1980: Coronation Stakes – Cairn Rouge
1980: Coronation Stakes – Cairn Rouge
1980: Champion Stakes – Cairn Rouge
1980: Champion Stakes – Cairn Rouge
1982: Craven Stakes – Silver Hawk
1982: Craven Stakes – Silver Hawk
1982: Gimcrack Stakes – Horage
1982: Gimcrack Stakes – Horage
1982: Fillies’ Mile – Acclimatise
1982: Fillies’ Mile – Acclimatise
1984: Ascot Stakes – Kayudee
1984: Ascot Stakes – Kayudee
1984: Princess Margaret Stakes – Al Bahathri
1984: Princess Margaret Stakes – Al Bahathri
1984: Lowther Stakes – Al Bahathri
1984: Lowther Stakes – Al Bahathri
1984: Gimcrack Stakes – Doulab
1984: Gimcrack Stakes – Doulab
1984: Cornwallis Stakes – Doulab
1984: Cornwallis Stakes – Doulab
1985: Coronation Stakes – Al Bahathri
1985: Coronation Stakes – Al Bahathri
1985: Falmouth Stakes – Al Bahathri
1985: Falmouth Stakes – Al Bahathri
1985: Diadem Stakes – Al Sylah
1985: Diadem Stakes – Al Sylah
1985: Cesarewitch Handicap – Kayudee
1985: Cesarewitch Handicap – Kayudee
In Ireland
In Ireland
1979: Tattersalls Gold Cup – Dickens Hill
1979: Tattersalls Gold Cup – Dickens Hill
1979: Phoenix Sprint – Miami Springs
1979: Phoenix Sprint – Miami Springs
1979: Larkspur Stakes – Johnny O’Day
1979: Larkspur Stakes – Johnny O’Day
1980: Irish One Thousand Guineas – Cairn Rouge
1980: Irish One Thousand Guineas – Cairn Rouge
1980: Irish Sweeps Derby – Tyrnavos
1980: Irish Sweeps Derby – Tyrnavos
1983: Irish Two Thousand Guineas – Wassl
1983: Irish Two Thousand Guineas – Wassl
1985: Irish One Thousand Guineas – Al Bahathri
1985: Irish One Thousand Guineas – Al Bahathri
In France
In France
1984: Grand Prix de Paris – At Talaq
1984: Grand Prix de Paris – At Talaq