Continuing our series of interviews with leading jumps trainers, Olly Murphy spoke exclusively to GG. He picked out an unbeaten novice hurdler to keep on the right side of, explained why Sean Bowen is such an asset to Warren Chase and gave his take on Dan Skelton’s bid to rival Willie Mullins.
GG: Who is a horse you have trained who never worked well, but produced much more on the track?
Olly Murphy: Strong Leader is a prime example of a horse who trains very lazily at home, doesn’t set the world alight, and very much saves the best of himself for the racecourse.
GG: Are there any existing, or well-known names, among your string that have done particularly well over the summer, or we haven’t seen the best of yet?
Murphy: I think the world of a horse called Moore Brion. He wasn’t overly impressive when he won his maiden hurdle first time out this season, but I think he’s a horse to keep on the right side of. He’s three from three now and he’s got a lot of ability. I also have a lovely French horse called Nils Holgerson who’ll run in the juvenile hurdle in a month’s time. He won his debut in France and did very well for a break.
“Sean Bowen is unbelievably dedicated, a big team player“
GG: What separates Sean Bowen among jockeys who have ridden for you?
Murphy: I’ve been very lucky to use a lot of very good jockeys over the years, but Sean Bowen is unbelievably dedicated, a big team player and is involved with a lot that happens at Warren Chase, both in and out of the saddle. We work very well together and have a brilliant working relationship. We get on very well both on the racetrack and off it.
“It’s so important to be able to win in the sales ring. If you can do that, you can win on the track.“
GG: When you see Dan Skelton’s record chasing, does that inspire you knowing there is a British yard growing to fight the strength of the most powerful Irish trainers?
Murphy: I’ve always maintained that, as brilliant a trainer as Dan Skelton is – and there’s no getting away from that – if you’ve got the biggest budget, you can buy the best horse in the sales ring and win the most races at Festivals like Cheltenham. At the moment, Willie Mullins has a massive budget and he’s an unbelievable trainer. He’s dominated Cheltenham for the last five or six years, but Dan’s going to start dominating as well as Willie, because he’s also a fantastic trainer with massive owners who can spend a lot of money on the best horses as well. It’s so important to be able to win in the sales ring. If you can do that, you can win on the track.
Olly Murphy was speaking on behalf of Betano.
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