The racing world often celebrates the dominance of elite stables, but the recent Group 1 triumph of Cercene in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot serves as a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of grassroots racing. This victory for Joe Murphy and his son, also Joe, represents a breakthrough for a humble, family-run operation on the outskirts of Fethard, County Tipperary. The fact that their diminutive filly, measuring just over 15 hands, could overcome the might of international racing powerhouses like Francis Graffard and Aidan O’Brien, embodies a remarkable achievement.
“It’s only soaking in now,” Joe Snr reflects, the early morning quiet of his kitchen belying the magnitude of their success. At 70, a period of introspection led him to question his life’s work: “I was thinking, ‘F*** it, I’m after living my life and I’ve nothing to show for it.'” Cercene’s victory has profoundly shifted that perspective. “But now, it feels like it has all been worthwhile,” he continues. “Look at all the good horsemen in the country who work as hard as us but might never get a day like what we experienced last week. All the hard work means something now. I feel like I finally have something to show for it all.”
This success is particularly poignant for the Murphys, who have built their stable by identifying and sourcing many of their big-race winners through their own keen eyes and financial astuteness. Horses like Euphrasia, Swamp Fox, Gustavus Weston, and Lord Massusus are testaments to their discerning approach. Cercene, a €50,000 purchase at the 2023 Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale, is the latest jewel in this crown.
Joe Jnr outlines their philosophy for acquiring talent at the sales: “We go against fashion and try to find value. We’re not too interested in stallions. It’s all about the dam’s side because we can’t afford to buy good stallions. We buy nice models that look like racehorses. And that’s it.” They are pragmatic in their approach, focusing on horses that present value rather than chasing fashionable pedigrees. Stallions like Markaz, Equiano, and Bated Breath, along with Windsor Knot, Rossini, and Mujadil, have all been part of their successful sourcing strategy. “It’s down to value. We look at as many horses as we can and, when they’re coming at the right price, we try to buy them. When you find yourself going past your valuation in the ring, they are the ones that you really like. Cercene went above our valuation but we loved her.”
The initial outlay for Cercene, while significant for a Group 1 winner, represents a carefully managed investment within a stable of 30 to 40 horses. Murphy Snr offers a profound insight into his investment philosophy, stating, “you don’t buy the horse, the horse buys you.” He elaborates on this concept, viewing the purchase as a commitment: “You’re buying a marriage. You need to do right by that animal for its lifetime when you buy it because you don’t have the money to go out and buy another one.” He laments the current trend of inflated prices and agent-driven purchases, which he believes dilute the bond between trainer and owner. “The day trainers go back and buy the horses for their owners will be a good one. It’s a stronger bond that is created then. But when the agent buys the horse, it’s another person to blame if the horse is no good. Just another excuse.”
Joe Jnr interjects with a touch of humor, suggesting that “talking to people” is also part of the process. Murphy Snr concurs, emphasizing the importance of understanding the representatives of the horses: “But you have to talk to people at the sales because the people are representations of their horses. Oftentimes, the horses are very like the people who sell them.” He voices a particular caution regarding pinhookers without land, as horses from such backgrounds can present significant training challenges. He highlights the consistency of successful operations like Tally-Ho, and recalls advice from Jack Doyle: “The vendor’s name! The farm and the type of a man who reared the horses are more important than you’d think.”
Joe Jnr, aged 43, has been integral to the stable’s rise. Born shortly after his father’s early success with Felicity’s Pet, he has developed a deep understanding of the industry. After studying at Trinity College Dublin, he pursued a course at the Irish National Stud and gained valuable experience at Lane’s End and Coolmore in America before returning in 2005. Together, they have achieved a consistent stream of winners. However, their journey was marked by a severe setback in the summer of 2018 when the highly contagious Strangles disease threatened their entire operation.
Murphy Snr recounts the harrowing experience: “I was very grateful for the help of my school friend Aidan Maher who provided us with an isolation yard during that time. It was terrible. But not one owner left us.” He specifically commends the loyalty of Tom Egan, who, despite having several horses with the Murphy stable, remained steadfast. The outbreak necessitated a veterinary clinic on-site for weeks, resulting in significant financial strain. “I was down €70,000 and I didn’t know where I was going to find my next penny. But we took it well.” The possibility of the esteemed training center being reduced to pony trekking, given its facilities including a seven-furlong sand and fiber gallop, was a stark reminder of their resilience.
The Murphys’ dedication and hard work have finally culminated in Cercene’s triumph, a moment they had long awaited. The filly’s ownership includes Australian owner Shane Stafford, who facilitated her remaining with the stable. Joe Jnr acknowledges the international interest in Cercene, with inquiries from America, Australia, and Japan. “Shane bought into her to race her and there are other people involved in the ownership as well but we will consider everything because there is a commercial reality to the whole thing.” A likely target is the Sceptre Sessions at Tattersalls, a premier sale for fillies of her caliber. “The world market is there and that’s what you’re worth.” Cercene has emerged from Royal Ascot in excellent form, with potential targets including the Irish Oaks and the Nassau Stakes.
Murphy Snr firmly believes that without Cercene’s breakthrough performance, their current kitchen table discussion would not be happening. Reflecting on their journey, he states, “I’ve said it to Tom Egan as well that none of this was any good unless we got a Group 1 in our lifetime. All I wanted was one. I have it now. So I’m relieved.” He expresses deep gratitude for his son’s contribution: “But I will say this, and it’s not just because he’s sitting here beside us, but since Joseph has come into it, he has made my life an awful lot easier and I couldn’t have done it without him. Joseph has brought it to a new level and it’s him who has done all the planning and he’s just been…….he’s been super at it.”
This emotional acknowledgment brings tears to their eyes, a profound moment of shared achievement and understanding within the Murphy family. Their journey, marked by passion, perseverance, and a deep love for horses, has culminated in a dream realized on the grandest stage of them all.
