By Scott Bailey
With just over 1950 career wins and 43 Group 1 victories from the UK, UAE, Hong Kong and Japan, Champion jockey Oisin Murphy is set to headline the prestigious Grade 1 King’s Plate meeting at Kenilworth Racecourse this weekend, bringing international star power to one of South Africa’s most iconic race days.
The Irish-born rider arrives with a full book of 10 rides, the majority coming for leading Cape trainer Justin Snaith, underlining the strength of the partnership and the confidence placed in Murphy on racing’s grandest local stage. Among those engagements are three elite Group 1 opportunities that place Murphy firmly in the spotlight.
In the Cartier Paddock Stakes (1800m), Murphy partners Double Grand Slam, a filly tasked with taking on a deep field over the testing mile-and-an-eighth trip. Speed is the name of the game in the World Pool Cape Flying Championship (1000m), where Murphy teams up with the explosive, I Am Giant who comes off the back of a Grade 2 placing last outing.
The headline act, however, comes in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate (1600m), where Murphy takes the reins on Eight On Eighteen in the ZAR R3,000,000 feature, The 4yo entire is already a three-time Grade 1 winner in South Africa including an impressive Cape Town Met last January. He usually has Richard Fourie in the saddle but the local champion rider will steer Questioning in the same race.
Murphy is no stranger to the South African racing scene or to Kenilworth itself. He rode at the venue last year and signed off the meeting in style, steering Sail The Seas to victory in the final race on the program for Snaith. That same horse returns in a feature event this weekend, albeit without Murphy in the saddle, as the jockey’s commitments see him spread across a powerful set of chances throughout the card.
Speaking to iRACE ahead of the meeting, Murphy was characteristically measured and appreciative of the opportunity. “I have a nice book of rides. I’ve got 10 in total. It’s a great time of year to be coming to South Africa. I’ll do my best to ride well!” It is that blend of confidence, professionalism and humility that has made Murphy one of the most respected riders in world racing.
Once the dust settles at Kenilworth, Murphy’s international calendar shows no signs of easing. Major assignments at the Saudi Cup meeting and the Dubai World Cup are just around the corner, reinforcing his status as a trusted global jockey in constant demand.
