Luke Murphy is our latest novice rider to feature in our next generation section. The 21 year-old rode his first point-to-point winner aboard his family’s Bloodstream at Boulta on the 1st January.
The Wexford native went on to win a further four races last season aboard Kings Dolly, Call Me, Bloodstream and Coachella Green. Luke, who is based with Denis Murphy this season, rode his first winner of the new season aboard the Cormac Doyle-trained Talkoftheparish at Tinahely on Sunday.
Name: Luke Murphy
Age: 21
Town: Gorey
How did you become involved in racing?
My father has always had mares and when I was a child my parents bought me a pony so I learned to ride and developed an interest from a young age. I went to RACE when I was 16 and started riding out for Christy Roche.
After I did my Leaving cert I then spent some time with Colm Murphy before moving on to the Doyle brothers, whom I was based with last season. This season I am based with Denis Murphy and I ride out at home in the afternoons with my dad. We have 6 in for the season.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
What's your favourite course?
I like Lingstown the most of the Wexford tracks but I also like Dromahane.
What's your favourite sport outside racing?
I enjoy hurling and play for my local club Castletown Liam Mellows. I also have a half-share in a mare with my dad. We have three colt foals in next week’s Tattersalls Ireland November sale.
Thistlecrack or Sizing John?
Sizing John. He was a very impressive Gold Cup winner.
Give us a horse to watch out for?
Group Chat. He is a four-year-old Westerner gelding that my dad has to run this year.
What was the best day of your racing life?
It would have to be at Ballyvodock in January when I rode my first double. I rode Kings Dolly for Colin Motherway in the mares’ maiden and then I won on our own mare, Bloodstream in the mares’ winners of two.
What improvements would you make to point to pointing?
I think it would be a good idea to introduce a series in point-to-points similar to the Martinstown series on the track for five pound claimers. It would definitely provide more opportunities for younger lads riding in point-to-points.
Also I think another series similar to the Gain Mares final is something that is needed to provide more incentives for people with mares running in point-to-points.
Who is the last person you want to be upsides going to the last?
Jamie Codd.
Who’s your biggest influence?
Tom Cloke who I work alongside with in Denis Murphy’s.
Ambitions For this season?
I would love to ride four-year-old winner this season.
To read about some of our other featured riders this season click on the link below.
http://www.p2p.ie/content.php?key=Next Gen Profiles
The next rider to feature in our next generation feature is Luke Murphy. Read about Luke here: https://t.co/7zJN3hzQKk pic.twitter.com/ykBX8nG9OQ
— p2p.ie (@irishp2p) November 7, 2017
