FORMER champion jockey Tommy Murphy has died peacefully in hospital in Cashel. He was 88.

The Wexford man will be forever associated with Ballydoyle, having ridden classic winners for Vincent O’Brien and acted as assistant to that legendary trainer before taking up a key role with Aidan O’Brien.

Murphy rode his first winner in 1954 at the Phoenix Park and spent six years in England before returning to Ireland in 1963 to work for trainer Clem Magnier in Co Meath for 10 years. In the early 1970s he rode plenty of winners over jumps, including two Galway Hurdle winers Dictora (1970) and Hardboy (1972). He also rode a Cheltenham Festival winner in 1972.

Switching to the flat later in the 1970s Murphy joined Vincent O’Brien’s stable in 1974 and frequently rode the yard’s best horses when Lester Piggott was unavailable. His two classic winners both came in 1977 when he rode Lady Capulet to win the Irish 1000 Guineas and Transworld to win the Irish St Leger.

He also rode Group 1 winners Cloonlara and Storm Bird. He rode future Derby winner The Minstrel on his racecourse debut and won several races on the champion Alleged. He was 42 years of age when he became Ireland’s champion jockey in 1978.

Murphy retired from race-riding in 1981 but stayed with Vincent O’Brien as an assistant until O’Brien retired in 1994.

Two years later Aidan O’Brien began training at Ballydoyle and Murphy’s knowledge and experience of the facilities proved invaluable.

Murphy passed away on Wednesday in Our Lady’s Hospital, Cashel. Predeceased by his wife Celia, he is survived by daughters Helen, Margaret, Jennifer and Sarah, and sons Thomas and Andrew, who holds a senior position at Ballydoyle.

Reposing in St Thomas the Apostle Church, Rosegreen this Friday evening from 5.30pm with funeral prayers at 7.30pm.

His funeral Mass is on Saturday in St. James’ Church, O’Growney Street, Athboy, Co Meath, at 11am followed by burial in St Lawrence’s Churchyard, Rathmore.