Champion jockey Oisin Murphy to get Christmas wish and realise horse racing dream
Share:
Champion Flat jockey Oisin Murphy is set to realise a long-cherished dream at Christmas by riding in his first jumps race. The 29-year-old reigned on the Flat in 2024 to clinch his fourth title but will end the year riding over hurdles. Murphy, an accomplished show jumper, is the nephew of Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National-winning rider Jim Culloty.
He has been poised to try the other discipline before and was declared on a runner at Wincanton a year ago, only for the fixture to be abandoned. With no threat from the weather this time he has been booked to partner the Neil Mulholland-trained Ike Sport in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle at the Somerset track where Murphy’s sister Blaithin is general manager.
The Bath trainer said: “I was having a chat with him the other day and I think it’s something he’s been wanting to do for a while, especially with his sister working at Wincanton. He told me to keep him in mind and the horse should give him a grand spin, hopefully. He’s got some decent form and he should be ideal. There’s no rain forecast and that should play into his favour as well.”.
Murphy has kept up a rewarding ending to the year and was in Mumbai on Sunday where he rode the winner of the Indian 2,000 Guineas. He told Mirror Racing, “Although I rode in India yesterday, I made it to Neil Mulholland’s this morning to school over hurdles. He’s got a wonderful facility and I’m very grateful that he’s giving me an opportunity on Thursday at Wincanton.”.
