Jump Jockey’s Son Gets Amateur License – Potential £60k Win
- This story first appeared in the Racing Grapevine, an exclusive weekly news column available to Racing Post+ Ultimate subscribers.
- A bright future in the saddle has long been predicted for former jockey Timmy Murphy's son Lucas, but his father is making sure he knows where the priorities...
- The Grand National winner, who rode more than 1,000 winners over jumps, has been taking his son to ride out for trainer Richard Hannon, and the 16-year-old recently...
This story first appeared in the Racing Grapevine, an exclusive weekly news column available to Racing Post+ Ultimate subscribers. Click here to sign up.
A bright future in the saddle has long been predicted for former jockey Timmy Murphy’s son Lucas, but his father is making sure he knows where the priorities lie.
The Grand National winner, who rode more than 1,000 winners over jumps, has been taking his son to ride out for trainer Richard Hannon, and the 16-year-old recently took out an amateur licence, with his first ride coming at Nottingham on July 31.
Two more rides have followed since, but the teenager has other matters to focus on.
“School is the most important thing. He’ll ride as an amateur and do a bit of pointing this winter, but it’s not going to happen quickly.
“Richard Hannon has given him a couple of rides and he’s learned plenty from each one.”
Murphy jnr has been given a good grounding on the pony racing circuit, where he had a lot of success, and his dream is to follow his father into the jumping game.
“Sometimes it’s difficult to go straight from pony racing as basically you just go as fast as you can for as long as you can, and it takes a bit of time to learn to ride a race properly,” said Murphy.
“He’s mad to go jumping, I was pushing him more towards the Flat, but I think he’ll be too heavy. He spent a week with Fergal O’Brien and another week at Dan Skelton’s, and that’s the way he wants to go.”
Timmy Murphy: Grand National-winning jockeyCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
That will be music to the ears of some of the family members sitting on a couple of betting slips placed when Lucas Murphy was only two months old.
Proud uncle Dominic, the brother of Murphy’s ex-wife Verity, placed two £100 bets with William Hill at 500-1 on the newborn riding a Grand National winner and 100-1 about a Cheltenham Festival success.
Murphy jnr’s most recent ride came last month on Who Wants Me in the colours of his grandfather, leading owner Raymond Anderson Green, with the Iain Jardine-trained three-year-old staying on to finish a close third at Thirsk.
“His last ride was probably his best ride and I’m sure Ray will be itching to give him his first winner,” said Murphy.
“His younger brother Finn, who is only 14, has been coming with me into Hannon’s this year. He rides well too, but I think he’s going to be bigger in size.”
Read these next:
‘Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday’ declares former jockey taking off from Godolphin to become a pilot
How the markets are shaping up for the Group 1 races on Champions Day – and where the value lies
Subscribe to Racing Post + Ultimate and get 25% off your first six months!
Available to new subscribers purchasing Racing Post_ Ultimate using code ALL256 through the Racing Post website. First three payments will be charged at £37.49, subscription renews at full monthly price thereafter. To cancel please contact us at least seven days before subscription is due to renew.