It quickly becomes apparent that we are not here for celebrations. The trophy that Oisin Murphy has worked tirelessly to win is shining on the horizon, but his emotions are not what you would expect.
“When I realized I was going to be champion, I thought about why and how I put so much pressure on myself,” Murphy begins. ‘The feelings of happiness, joy or self-esteem did not come. And they haven’t done it any other year.
It is the first of many heartfelt confessions during a fascinating half hour at Salisbury Racecourse.
Chelsea supporter Murphy’s eyes light up when he raves about Cole Palmer, while he winces when talking about the Netflix series Gangs Of London: “Don’t watch it before you go to bed.”
‘Ah, Palmer is fantastic, isn’t he?’ enthuses Murphy, who grew up idolizing Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard. “He came from Man City and they clearly didn’t think he was going to be the star he turned out to be. “I love the fact that he found this confidence in himself to become a star.”
Oisin Murphy will be crowned Champion Jockey on October 19 at Ascot Racecourse
Murphy has 153 winners and counting this season, 49 more than her closest pursuer, Rossa Ryan.
Chelsea fan Murphy highlights Cole Palmer’s self-confidence, something all riders also need
Self-confidence is something every rider needs, and Murphy’s elegance in the saddle made him a star and allowed him to win the title three times in a row, from 2019 to 2021. It was something he dreamed of as a child riding. ponies in Killarney. .
Circumstances, however, have allowed rival William Buick to take the crown for the past two years. For “circumstances,” read disciplinary issues.
The 29-year-old has served well-documented suspensions, one of 14 months for breaking Covid rules in 2020 and misleading the British Horseracing Authority. Another was for failing to test positive in a breathalyzer test.
It is not necessary to analyze the details of those incidents, but it is not difficult to see the impact they have had on him.
Others may toast the success Murphy has enjoyed this season (153 winners and counting, 49 more than his closest pursuer, Rossa Ryan), but he is more circumspect, preferring to question what he has achieved.
‘Is success ever enough?’ Murphy asks. ‘Do you know what I mean? That’s what pushes me to win more championships. I’m 29 years old and I’ve won 31 Group One races. Ryan Moore just passed 200, right? So what am I doing this for? I’m not going to get over that!
‘When I got suspended, it was the first time in my life I thought about income. Before, I could never spend what I earned because I worked too much.
‘Then suddenly I was left with no income; a mortgage and jumpers (his passion outside of racing) to pay. He had money invested but he didn’t want to reach out: “I tried to ruin my career, I need my money because I ran out.”
Murphy has served well-documented suspensions that have left an impact on the jockey.
Murphy admits that his goal while banned was to stay sober and get his life back together.
‘Now there is a financial awareness. In the first half of my career, I never thought more than a few weeks ahead. Now it’s a little different.
‘My goal while I was banned was to stay sober, get my life back together and use the time to make sure I was ready for when the BHA gave me the green light to return.
‘A multiple champion jockey? I never look like that. Look, Ryan could have won 15 titles if he wanted to.”
Perhaps, but nothing can change the fact that Murphy is one of only 47 men to have worn this crown since its creation in 1840. Few other challenges in sport compare to the relentless daily grind; Physical and mental aggression takes an exceptional toll. I used to have a drink to find a release.
“My girlfriend, Elizabeth, is a chef at Cordon Bleu,” Murphy says. ‘She’s in very good physical condition, she does these barre classes (a combination of Pilates and dance). We eat healthy. With my workload and because I no longer drink, my weight has improved a lot.’
Murphy believes the only way to continue riding well will be to stay sober.
Do you miss drinking? “I just know I can’t have one,” he replies. “I don’t want this to get out of control. When you stop riding, you can be proud of yourself if you can do it with a certain level of respect. I won’t ride until I’m 50. When I stop riding, I want to be happy with the way it ended my career.
‘Whether it’s the next five or ten years, it won’t be much more than that. The only way to do it is to stay sober. I really believe it. The year I don’t feel like I’m riding well will be the last. There is no set deadline and it is important to finish things in one piece.
‘You can’t force things in sport. It’s like the rugby player or the soccer player who is scoring a lot of tries and goals and kicking well and suddenly his form goes cold. They will have periods of self-doubt. The same goes for jockeys when you’re not riding winners.
‘Am I good enough? I was in Kempton a few weeks ago. He had six favorites on an eight-race card. Three of them had odds and all six were beaten! Thinking too much is a nightmare. Statistically I have driven better than ever, but there are many days when I wish I had done better.’
Much of what he says is consistent with the perspective of athletes in their heyday. The good days are those to be expected, the bad days are the ones to examine.
Murphy speaks to King Charles after his success at Royal Ascot in June
This year it has barely missed a beat at the big festivals, but satisfaction is still absent
Murphy has been on fire this season, barely missing a beat at the big festivals, but there is no satisfaction.
“It’s almost a little embarrassing when you go out and get the trophy,” he says. ‘I certainly feel that. Champions Day (one week ago today) is a really important day for horses. People go to Ascot because they want to see the winner of the Champion Stakes or the winner of the QEII.
‘Do you want to see me? I don’t know what it is, I just never knew what I thought it would feel like.
‘I’m happy with my work ethic, but will I be happy with the achievements? “It will always take me time to get back to the place I was.”
The point is that it is already there, in first place. One day you will realize that it is something that should be celebrated.
Oisin Murphy will be crowned Champion Jockey on October 19 at Ascot. For more information, visit greatbritishracing.com