It quickly becomes apparent we are not here for celebrations. The trophy Oisin Murphy has worked relentlessly to win is twinkling on the horizon but his emotions are not what you would expect.
‘When I realised I was going to be champion, I thought why and how did I put myself under so much pressure,’ Murphy begins. ‘The feelings of happiness or joy or self-worth didn’t arrive. And they haven’t done any other year.’
It is the first of many candid admissions during a riveting half-hour at Salisbury racecourse.
A Chelsea supporter, Murphy’s eyes light up as he raves about Cole Palmer, while he winces as he talks about the Netflix series Gangs Of London — ‘Don’t watch it before bed’.
‘Ah, Palmer’s fantastic, isn’t he?’ enthuses Murphy, who grew up idolising Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard. ‘He came from Man City and they clearly didn’t think he was going to be the star he’s turned out to be. I love the fact he’s found this self-belief to become a star.’
Oisin Murphy will be crowned Champion Jockey at on October 19 at Ascot racecourse
Murphy has 153 winners and counting this season, 49 clear of nearest pursuer Rossa Ryan
A Chelsea fan, Murphy highlights the Cole Palmer’s self-belief, something all jockeys also need
Self-belief is something all jockeys need, and Murphy’s elegance in the saddle made him a star and enabled him to win the title three times in a row, from 2019 to 2021. It was something he dreamt about as a child riding ponies in Killarney.
Circumstances, however, have allowed his rival William Buick to take the crown for the last two years. For ‘circumstances’, read disciplinary issues.
The 29-year-old has served well-documented suspensions, one of 14 months for breaching Covid rules in 2020 and misleading the British Horseracing Authority. Another was for failing a breathalyser test.
Raking over the minutiae of those incidents is not necessary but it is not hard to see what impact it has had on him.
Others can toast the success Murphy has enjoyed this season — 153 winners and counting, 49 clear of nearest 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 for more championships. I’m 29, I’ve won 31 Group One races. Ryan Moore has just gone past 200, hasn’t he? So what am I even doing this for? I’m not going to outdo that!
‘When I was suspended, it was the first time in my life I ever thought about income. Before, I could never spend what I earned as I was working too hard.
‘Then, all of a sudden, I had no income; a mortgage and showjumpers (his passion outside racing) to pay for. I had money invested but I didn’t want to put my hand out — ‘I’ve tried to f*** up my career, I need my money because I have run out.’
Murphy has served well documented suspensions which have left an impact on the jockey
Murphy admits his focus while banned was staying sober and putting his life back together
‘There is a financial awareness now. In the first half of my career, I was never thinking more than a few weeks ahead. Now it’s a bit different.
‘My focus while I was banned was staying sober, putting my life back together and using 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 see myself like that. Look, Ryan could have won 15 titles if he had wanted to.’
Perhaps, but nothing can change the fact that Murphy is one of only 47 men to have worn this crown since its inception 1840. Few other challenges in sport compare with the relentless daily grind; the mental and physical assault takes an exceptional toll. He used to have a drink to find a release.
‘My girlfriend, Elizabeth, is a Cordon Bleu chef,’ says Murphy. ‘She’s in very good physical condition, she does these barre classes (a combination of Pilates and dance). We eat healthily. With my workload and because I don’t drink anymore, my weight is much better.’
Murphy believes the only way he can continue riding well will be by remaining sober
Does he miss drinking? ‘I just know that I can’t have one,’ he replies. ‘I don’t want it to spiral out of control. When you step away from riding, you can be proud of yourself if you can do so with a level of respect. I won’t be riding into my 50s. When I do stop riding, I want to be happy with the way my career ended.
‘Whether that is the next five years or 10 years, it won’t be much longer than that. The only way I can do that is by staying sober. I genuinely believe that. The year that I don’t feel I am riding well, that’ll be my last. There is no set time frame and ending things in one piece is important.
‘You can’t force things in sport. It’s like the rugby player or the football player who is scoring loads of tries and goals and kicking well and then suddenly their form goes cold. They will have periods of doubting themselves. It’s the same with jockeys when you are not riding winners.
‘Am I good enough? I was at Kempton a few weeks ago. I had six favourites on an eight-race card. Three of them were odds-on and all six got beat! Overthinking is a nightmare. Statistically I’ve ridden better than ever but there are a lot of days when I wish I could have done better.’
Much of what he says chimes with the outlook of sportsmen at their peak. The good days are expected, the bad days are the ones to be scrutinised.
Murphy speaks with King Charles after his success at Royal Ascot back in June
He has barely missed a beat at the big festivals this year but satisfaction remains absent
Murphy has been on fire this season, barely missing a beat at the big festivals, but satisfaction is absent.
‘It’s almost a bit embarrassing when you go out to get the trophy,’ he says. ‘I certainly feel that. Champions Day (a week today) is a really big day for the horses. People go to Ascot because they want to see the Champion Stakes winner or the QEII winner.
‘Do they want to see me? I don’t know what it is, it’s just never worked out how I thought it might feel.
‘I’m content with my work ethic but will I be content with the achievements? It is always going to take time to put myself back in the place I once was.’
The thing is, he is there already — in top spot. One day he will realise it is something to be celebrated.
Oisin Murphy will be crowned Champion Jockey on October 19 at Ascot. To find out more, visit greatbritishracing.com
