RACING CONFIDENTIAL: Oisin Murphy's plans to conquer jumps revealed, what happened to escaped Musselburgh horse and Donald McCain's agony over star gelding
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A brilliant year for Oisin Murphy, in which he reclaimed his title as Champion Jockey, ended in glorious fashion in the Far East on Sunday. Murphy told Racing Confidential in October he was disappointed with the number of Group One wins he had achieved as well as being frustrated that he wasn’t getting a lot of rides at the biggest overseas meetings, so events in Hong Kong helped scratch a few itches.
![[The Irishman was named British Champion Jockey for a fourth time, and his first since 2021]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/11/11/93034793-14181069-image-a-59_1733915999746.jpg)
He was brilliant on the Marco Botti-trained Giavellotto, steering the five-year-old to a thrilling success in the Hong Kong Vase – worth £1.3million to the winner – then, in the Hong Kong Cup, he guided The Foxes, trained by Andrew Balding, to an excellent fourth place and a cheque for £241,448.69.
![[Cool Hoof Luke will carry much interest next summer after his outstanding year]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/11/11/93035437-14181069-image-a-60_1733916871120.jpg)
A superb day’s work then and a reminder, if it was needed, that Murphy belongs among the elite on the flat. What about the prospect of him being elite over jumps? The idea isn’t as far-fetched as you might think, as his desire to ride winners over hurdles is enormous.
![[He is partly named after Luke Humphries, who beat Luke Littler in last year's PDC World Darts Championship final]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/11/11/93035493-14181069-image-a-61_1733916945256.jpg)
Around this time last year, Murphy was booked to ride Let’s Do This for Irish-trainer Cian Collins in a three-mile handicap at Wincanton. The meeting was abandoned after an overnight deluge and other commitments meant his plan was shelved. But Racing Confidential understands that Murphy has applied for a jump jockeys licence and is waiting to hear back if it is granted. His sister, Blaithin, is general manager at Wincanton and he would get as much of a kick winning in Somerset as he did in Hong Kong.
![[Rachael Blackmore was among the racing stars who visited children at Alder Hey Hospital]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/11/11/93035543-14181069-image-a-62_1733916995279.jpg)
