FOLLOWING the untimely death of my late father almost a decade ago, I took over the running of his shavings business.

Up to that point I had made my career as a carpenter, but in the days immediately after his death some hard decisions had to be made.

In one respect I was fortunate, in that I knew the ins and outs of the business and his clients gave me their full support going forward.

Jack Murray set up what he once described as “the best kept secret in racing” back in 1985.

Despite never having to advertise, word of month saw him establish a successful business supplying wood shavings to racing and equestrian centres.

The late Johnny Harrington was one of the first people to come on board and his wife Jessica has remained a valued client and friend. I used to travel around to the different yards with dad, so very quickly I got to know the trainers and stable lads.

These personal interactions stood to me in later years resulting in a relatively smooth transition. He also kept a couple of ponies at home which he ran in flappers. I did likewise in later years and continue to do so up to the present day.

Party Guest, trained by Seamus Fahey was my fathers first winner on the racecourse.

We have known the Fahey family all our lives; they are close friends and neighbours of ours.

GAMBLE

Dad was known for having a gamble, as he always had some tip or another. Being in and out of various different yards, he wasn’t short of “word”.

However, 99.9% of the time his information proved fruitless, so bookmakers had little to fear! We went racing together all over the country throughout my teenage years.

After I finished in school, I worked as a carpenter on the buildings, including a year spent in Australia. Life was good during the boom but the recession hit in 2009 and work came to a halt.

Then my father died suddenly at the young age of 57, leaving me with just a few days to make life-changing decisions.

With clients awaiting their next order, I either had to take over with immediate effect or risk losing the business.

I chose the former, a decision I have never come to regret. Most people that dealt with dad stayed with us, while a few new guys like Ken Condon and Ross O’Sullivan joined our ranks.

SPREADING THE WORD

Eamon Leigh was very helpful spreading the word about me in the early days and I am thankful to him for that. At the present time, we have 35 clients on our books, so are well established in our area of the industry.

I have contracts with a couple of different sawmills and we have a large storage facility at home.

It is critical to have a back up supply, as we can never run short should clients need extra orders.

In this business if you ever fail to meet an order you may well end up losing a client.

At this stage, I have it down to a fine art, doing three or four loads a day, six days a week.

Last year, both Irish Guineas winners, Romanised and Alpha Centauri, were bedded down on shavings supplied by Murrays. Former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Sizing John also had our shavings in his stable, as did dad’s all-time favourite horse, Moscow Flyer.

Away from the day job, I have always kept a few flappers at home. My nephew, Cian Maher, rode a good bit for me before going on to ride under rules. Jackies Dream, a horse I named after my father, was an emotional winner at Dingle, while Half Price won the Golden Mile in 2017 and will return for more this season.

SYNDICATE

In an attempt to get me out from under her feet, my wife Michelle suggested I should get involved in a racing syndicate. Michelle and my daughter Sophie love the horses and help with everything at home.

My first venture, Royal Blessing, won at Wolverhampton under the care of Peter Fahey. Unfortunately the horse got a leg, so I had nothing on the track in 2018.

Just before Christmas I bought a horse called Edification on the advice of his former trainer, Robbie McNamara. I had actually gone to see a different horse but he proved out of my price range and Robbie very kindly suggested Edification.

I sent my new acquisition to Mark Fahey, a young trainer who I believe is really going to go places.

Mark was happy to take Edification as he always said that I had a good eye for a horse!

In this case, at least, it proved correct and we have had a couple of great nights out at Dundalk.

The horse was very unlucky in running when third on his penultimate run and he made amends when winning last Friday night.

In the short-term we will keep him on the go, as he remains well treated on old form, so could pick up another one.

Derek Murray was in conversation with John O’Riordan