A class apart: Murphy wins first British Classic of his career
KILLARNEY jockey Oisín Murphy added a first British classic to his burgeoning CV when claiming the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday aboard the Andrew Balding trained Kameko (10/1).
The sound of silence was all that greeted Murphy’s victory as an eerily quiet and socially distant Newmarket Racecourse was pierced by Murphy triumphant roar when crossing the line ahead of the Aidan O’Brien trained Wichita and Frankie Dettori.
In the post-race interview, Murphy, wearing a black face mask and looking more like a 17th Century highwayman than a classic winning jockey, seemed appropriate given he had just pinched the first British Classic of the season thanks to a skilful ride. The win further exemplifies how far Murphy has progressed in terms of his maturity in the saddle.
Murphy, the reigning British Flat Champion jockey, gave a commanding performance when drawn in stall 15, he sat in mid division throughout the race never letting the market principles – Pinatbubo and Wichita – out of his sight.
Murphy’s timing was instinctive when entering the final furlong as he switched to his outside producing the break Kameko needed to get a clear sight - a switch that proved the winning of the race.
“It was massive and a day I won’t forget,” Murphy told Racing TV.
“When I look back at this in a few years’ time I won’t remember there was no crowd, it will just be Kameko winning the 2000 Guineas for Qatar Racing and Andrew Balding. It is the biggest winner of my career and for all the right reasons.
“Rolling into the dip I still hadn’t gone for him and I could see that the others were in my sights. When he started moving through the gears coming out of the dip and really putting his head out I knew he could win.”
Kameko means ‘turtle’ in Japanese but there was nothing slow about Saturday’s performance as the three-year-old put himself into contention for the Epsom Derby on July 4. Kameko improved on his two-year-old form when winning two of his four starts for Murphy, including a group one win in Newcastle last autumn.
“I honestly can’t answer if he would go to the Derby for a week or so. Although he marched in as proud as he could, we don’t know how much this has taken out of him and it is another half a mile than he has raced today,” Murphy told Racing TV.
He continued: “Horses that handle Epsom have to do it on the bridle and he wouldn’t come off the bit until round Tattenham Corner, when he is either not going to stay or stay, so he would have no problem with the track. I do think the horse will just improve and improve.”
The emotion of Murphy’s first British Classic had a familiar footnote as Kameko’s sire, Kitten’s Joy, is also sire of the late Roaring Lion – a horse that launched Murphy’s career when landing him his first group one success in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown in July, 2018. The win further solidifies Murphy’s successful relationship with Qatar Racing Limited and owner Sheikh Fahad.
Murphy said: “I had my first ride for Sheikh Fahad in 2012 so it has been nearly eight years together in some form or other. He leaves it up to me and so does Andrew. I feel very privileged.”
Murphy capped a memorable weekend at Newmarket when adding three more winners to his 2000 Guineas victory. Kameko’s odds for the Epsom Derby have shortened to 4/1 from 8/1 after Saturday’s success.