Oisin Murphy, who is on his way to becoming Britain’s champion jockey, has turned down the chance to win his first Classic in favour of a rare return home for the
Irish Champion
Oisin Murphy, who is on his way to becoming Britain’s champion jockey, has turned down the chance to win his first Classic on Saturday in favour of a rare return home for the Irish Champion Stakes. The Killarney man could have been on Dashing Willoughby in the St Leger at Doncaster but will instead continue his association with Deirdre, who will be cheered on by a TV audience in her native Japan.
When it became clear last week that the two races would clash, there was really no decision for Murphy to make. He explains: “When you ride the Japanese horses, you commit a long way in advance and once you’re committed, you don’t change your mind.”