19 September 2023 , 17:03
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Oisin Murphy fondly recalled his childhood idolising Ruby Walsh on a whistle-stop tour of his home track Listowel.
The jockey, riding at Kempton last night and Sandown tomorrow, went to the Irish venue for four mounts. In place of Frankie Dettori, Murphy received a warm welcome from racegoers at the Harvest Festival, where he struck on 100-30 favourite Dragon Of Malta.
The 28-year-old grew up in nearby Killarney, but had only competed at the Curragh, Leopardstown and Dundalk in Ireland.
After teaming up with his winner, trained by Pat O’Donnell, Murphy spoke about how he started out as a fan of the sport, before he embarked on his career in the saddle.
“It’s great to be here," he told Racing TV. "I spent lots of time as a child hanging around the weighing room, trying to get goggles off Ruby Walsh and Davy Russell and wanting to be a jockey. To ride a winner here is a big relief.”
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Three-time champion rider Murphy, also a top leading apprentice, has been race-riding in Britain for a decade.
Qatar Racing's number one jockey took the 2,000 Guineas in their colours on Kameko in 2020.
He returned this year from a 14-month ban and his first significant success came in the 1,000 Guineas on Saeed bin Suroor's filly Mawj.
At Listowel, he was narrowly denied an opening win on Zephron before getting the verdict in the Kelleher Feeds & Agri Suppliers Ballymullen, Tralee Handicap.
“I have lots of family here today and they’ll be over the moon," added Murphy, who also finished second on Aidan O'Brien's Old Faithful in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Rated Race.
"The horse is also trained by an old family friend of ours so it is a brilliant day."
Jessica Harrington’s Maud Gonne Spirit caused an 80-1 shock in the Listed Edmund & Josie Whelan Memorial Listowel Stakes.