Murphy proud to have played big part in Bowen title triumph

Olly Murphy is backing Sean Bowen to stay on top of the jockeys’ tree for many years to come after he was crowned champion for the first time.

An untimely injury derailed last season’s charge for the title as he had to settle for second behind good friend Harry Cobden, but Bowen left nothing to chance this time around as he powered his way to first place in the jockeys’ standings.

A fine year for both Bowen and his chief ally in the training ranks was capped off at Sandown on Saturday when Resplendent Grey fought off the Willie Mullins invasion to claim the bet365 Gold Cup and Murphy was proud of the part he played in helping his stable jockey to the trophy.

“It’s been an unbelievable year and I texted Sean on Saturday morning and said sorry I hadn’t provided him with a Grade One winner, but we’d just about done everything else,” said Murphy.

“I’m very proud of him and I texted him when he was second last year to say keep your chin up and next year we’ll be there polishing that trophy. I quoted that message in the WhatsApp I sent him on Saturday morning and it’s great to be able to celebrate his achievement – no one deserves it more than him.

“We’ve had a phenomenal year and the horses have just kept rolling. I know I keep saying it, but I love working with Sean and we get on really well.

“His main attribute is that when he gets down off a loser, he’s the most unbelievable man to speak with owners after a horse gets beat. In two minutes, he can convince an owner that in three weeks’ time their horse will win – and that’s so important in an industry where you’re trying to provide entertainment, but more often than not, you lose.

“I think in sport there has to be a line of respect and have trust in each other. I have enormous trust in him and I would like to think he has trust in me and I think that is shown by our figures and winners this year.

“We’ve won plenty of major handicaps and had graded winners and I’m aware more than anyone we haven’t had that Grade One winner, but they will come and we’re getting there.”

Murphy also hopes his fruitful association with the new champion jockey can continue for many years to come as he continues to grow his Warren Chase operation.

When asked if he could see Bowen retaining his title over the coming years, Murphy answered: “Why not!

“But in order for him to keep winning, you need a big yard behind you and everyone wants Sean Bowen’s services.

“Hopefully, he’s going to work for me for the next 10 years and I’m very lucky to have him as my stable jockey and I’d like to think he thinks he’s lucky to have my stable and owners behind him as well.

“If my owners keep getting behind me like they are and the horses stay healthy, then they are going to have the best jockey in England in their corner. Hopefully, the future is bright and he’s just an extremely popular young lad.”

With the jumping action now taking a brief pause, Bowen will jet off to Tenerife for his stag do, but Murphy will be missing from the trip, electing for a shorter flight to Ireland rather than the Canaries.

Murphy added: “Regrettably, I’m not going on the stag do, I’m going point-to-pointing in Ireland and probably buying a few more horses. I got let off lightly I think, but hopefully he has a good time, comes back in one piece and we’ll be all systems go to start again next weekend at Uttoxeter.”