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Former champion jockey Tommy Murphy dies in hospital aged 88 as Aidan O'Brien mourns loss of ‘incredible man'
FORMER champion jockey Tommy Murphy has died in hospital aged 88 - as Aidan O'Brien mourned the loss of an 'incredible man'.
The talented Flat rider - who also won at Cheltenham Festival - was assistant to the legendary Vincent O'Brien.
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The dual Classic-winning rider, who took top honours in the jockey standings in 1978, passed away at a hospital in Cashel, Ireland, on Wednesday.
Ballydoyle boss O'Brien, who took over from his predecessor but is no relation, retained Murphy's services at the famed yard.
He said he was an invaluable asset at the beginning of his career and proved 'irreplaceable' over the years.
O'Brien, regarded by many as the greatest Flat trainer ever, told the Racing Post: "Tommy was an unbelievable horseman, jockey and person.
"He was an incredible help to us when we came to Ballydoyle in 1994.
"He taught everybody here so much about so many different things.
"Even when he retired, he came in all the time to give everyone advice and guidance. He was one of those irreplaceable men.
"He was a great rider, too, just an incredible and special man. Andrew [Tommy's son and head lad at Ballydoyle] is in charge of the Giant's Causeway yard, where all our main horses are kept.
"We'll miss Tommy terribly.
"He lived here for a long time, until he went into hospital.
"We had a lot of great memories going racing with Tommy.
"We had unbelievable days with him and always had dinner on the way home after racing.
"(My children) Joseph, Sarah, Ana and Donnacha were always with him from the time they were babies and grew up learning from him about horses and life."
Murphy, who was born in Wexford, rode his first winner in 19654 and moved to England soon after.
There, he became a jockey for a number of trainers, including four years with the Duke of Norfolk.
He hit the big time in 1970 when he won the Galway Hurdle and backed it up again two years later.
His two Classics came in 1977 when he won the Irish 2,000 Guineas on Lady Capulet and Irish St Leger with Transworld.
Then in 1978 he won what is now the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival aboard Noble Life.
His final winner came in 1981 and soon after that he became permanent fixture at Ballydoyle.
Photos showed him patrolling the Ballydoyle gallops, keeping a keen eye on the army of top thoroughbreds pounding the track.
More to follow.
