IRISH Olympian Joseph Murphy has a yard full of quality horses at his base outside Killyleagh, Co Down where he and his wife Jill operate one of the country’s most professionally-managed eventing yards.

“Basically, I’m the front man and Jill runs the show,” says 44-year-old Murphy who developed his riding skills on the hunting field in his native Co Westmeath and his passion for eventing when working with former Danish international Dot Love at her Charlestown Stud outside Mullingar.

“We have a good balance in how we organise the operation. Jill and I discuss the horses’ health and individual plans a lot together and we are always thinking of how we can do things better; she is very knowledgeable and on the ball. She is also a part-time special needs teacher and manages the self-catering cottages we have here on site.”

While Murphy’s main aim this year is to be selected for the Olympic Games he, like so many others, was disappointed with the news that Badminton has been cancelled for 2021.

“This wasn’t a big surprise but I was planning to compete there on Gorsehill Pearl which would have been exciting for her owners, Devenish Nutrition, who are great supporters of our yard. Other early season events in Britain have also been cancelled but one of the positives to come out of Covid is that fact that re-scheduling is not as difficult as it once was and British Eventing is now planning new events or moving international classes to other venues.

“The main goal for me however is Tokyo as the Olympics is definitely the pinnacle of sport. It’s an honour to be selected and then go on to represent your country. London 2012 was an amazing experience and I feel at an advantage having ridden under that pressure previously.”

That pressure included two show jumping rounds where Murphy jumped clear in both on Electric Cruise. “That was something that has stood me in good stead in that phase since then,” he stated.

“This year the selection process will be very competitive as Ireland has such a strong bunch of combinations and there are only three places. The Horse Sport Ireland High Performance programme has proven results and there is a very positive feeling within the squad, especially with the possibility of two championships this year (the Olympics plus the Europeans in Avenches) . It’s all about timing and producing solid form at the right time and obviously the soundness of the horses and athletes.

“Sally (Corscadden) has ensured that we are surrounded by world-class trainers and others providing top veterinary care and physiotherapy for both riders and horses. We also have the invaluable support staff within the Institute of Sport covering every angle from rider fitness to nutrition and psychology. Sally has not let Covid get in the way as regards training and we have continued with distance learning in all three phases.

“Those riders who are availing of the support available to us and are truly committed to the programme will reap the rewards both in the short term and for the future. Sally has tasted great success to date which has created tremendous confidence and hunger within the squad.”

Murphy reflected on 2020 when the eventing season, nationally and internationally, was so strongly affected by the pandemic restrictions.

“I had good results at the start of the one-day event season, which didn’t get under way until early July, and I think this was the result of having extra time to get back to basics and having the horses physically stronger.

“I’m grateful to the Fells for hosting the only internationals that I competed at last year – they were superbly run. I was content with my results but, given the uncertainty of the season, the horses would not have been as fit as they normally would. What I mean is they weren’t three-day fit; I didn’t gallop and swim them as much as normal and also I feel that they need runs to be properly fit.

“The soundness of the horses is always in the forefront of my mind. I was thinking of the bigger picture and wasn’t prepared to push them more than necessary given the year that was in it. Some of my horses are now for sale while a few others are available for part-shares so once the season gets going their results from 2020 will stand out.”

Great home team (l-r) (back row) Joseph Murphy, Gillian Smyth, Ryan Hopper, (front row) (l-r) Jodie Carter, Daisy Murphy and Cecila Mayne

Business changes

Murphy has produced few young horses over the past five or six seasons, preferring to concentrate on animals with proven form but this model is about to change.

“Over the last few years, I have been fortunate to have sourced a few experienced horses who have then been syndicated. It’s been a huge addition for me to be able to kick on with them and also for the owners to enjoy high-profile events.

“Cesar V’s second event with me was a competitive CCI4*-S at Bramham (in May 2019) where we finished 11th. We were then selected for the prestigious Nations’ Cup a month later in Aachen which has to be one of the best events in the world – and such an exciting one for owners and riders alike.

“Cesar is owned by The Way Forward Syndicate and we have been extremely fortunate over the years to have great owners with whom we are lucky also to have become good friends. Good lines of communication and honesty are vital in any relationship and this is something I’ve always strived to achieve with those who trust me with their horses; I chat a lot with my owners, regarding plans, etc.

“Covid has been a frustrating time for owners but mine have been fantastic, patient and supportive – which they need to be with me at the best of times let alone during a global pandemic! Technology is amazing and allows either live videoing of their horses at an event or a quick WhatsApp video straight after a test or jumping round to keep them up to-date during these strange times.

“Particularly over the past 12 months when most owners have not been present at race meetings, events and shows, it has been great to see The Irish Field and Irish Horse World recognise the immense contribution of owners to sport with weekly columns. Without their support, most riders could not survive.

“It was a great boon for Eventing Ireland members when companies such as Semalease (whose owner, Richard Ames, is involved with Cesar and Choclat in the Murphy yard) sponsored complimentary photos of every horse competing at an event. Riders could then send an array of pictures in each phase to their owners on the way home.”

Joseph Murphy and Electric Cruise on the cross-country course at DHL Preis Eventing CICO3* at CHIO Aachen 2014 \ Jon Stroud

Birthday gift

While the majority of horses in Murphy’s string were sourced with form on their CVs, a change, or rather divergence, for the yard came with the purchase at the 2019 Dublin Horse Show of the Orestus mare My Foxhall Kit following her third-place finish in the three-year-old fillies loose performance jumping class.

“Jill bought My Foxhall Kit as a surprise birthday present for me, primarily as she looked very smart, but also for sentimental reasons as I rode her dam, Derg Kit Kat (by Master Imp) for our good friends Kieran and Michelle Connors. We now plan to purchase a few three and four-year-olds as part of our business model; it’s something which we haven’t really focused on previously.

“The plan is to buy for our big network of clients throughout Europe and the USA and to also buy some commercial types that might not necessarily be five-star material. What I’m trying to do is get a backer, establish a pre-fix and then produce good, safe, well-trained horses for the market. I have good relationships with the big outfits such as Cooley, Sportsfield, Fernhill, Belline and Monbeg but the market is so big that there is room for more well-produced horses.

“I’ll be concentrating on three-, four- and five-year-olds with good conformation and attitude. They must also have good reactions and presence but top of the list is temperament. I don’t mind if they are mares or geldings but I definitely like them to have some thoroughbred blood which you will feel when you ride them and work them; I don’t like a backward thinking horse.

“One thing I have very much enjoyed doing in recent years is working with top riders like William Fox-Pitt and Michael Jung. I’ve sourced horses for them in the past and now they ask me to check out and ride horses on their behalf before they make a trip over to Ireland to view them themselves.”

Joseph Murphy riding Electric Cruise at Badminton 2015 \ Kit Houghton Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials

Yard revamp

Like many others, Murphy utilised time during lockdown to make improvements in the yard. With his background in quantity surveying, he did all the planning as well as a major part of the physical work alongside fellow event rider, joiner and builder Andrew Napier and his team.

“We revamped the yard a little, re-surfaced it and gutted the tack-room which was in dire straits,” revealed Murphy. “We changed the layout around by extending the wash area so we can tack-up, groom, clean tack and use the Vitafloor and heat lamps all in one place.

“This is now the hub of the yard whereas the tack-room is purely for storage with a seating area and kitchenette for owners to relax in a bit of comfort and warmth. We also have a little viewing gallery and house in our arena where owners can have a cup of coffee, watch their horses train and enjoy an ever-important, and in these times socially-distanced, chat in person.

“We put in a mini gallop canter track but use George Stewart’s facilities at Danescroft (Lisburn) for their long hill gallop and swimming pool, combining these fitness methods with long slow hill work in the drumlins of Co Down. We have also recently invested in an equine treadmill and we use the natural salt water spa of Simmy Bay which is just a two-minute hack from the yard.”

No matter how many horses he rides at an event, and often in the same class, Murphy hardly ever misses his slot on the cross-country phase thanks to Jill’s organisation and the quick turnaround skills of his support team who, at big events, includes former staff who have remained friends and attend to support the yard.

Joseph Murphy in action at Burghley Horse Trials 2018 with Sportsfield Othello \ Nigel Goddard

“We have a great team currently with a mix of age, experience and attributes,” said the appreciative rider. “We don’t have a head lad/lass and never have done so – Jill and I feel it allows everyone to play to their strengths and makes for a happy working atmosphere which transmits to the horses and their wellbeing.

“One of our senior members is Gillian Smyth who many will know as chief radio controller at Northern Region events. She is integral to the smooth running of the yard and looks after our social media presence where she promotes our sponsors. She is very good with modern technology although Louise O’Brien (photographer) looks after our website where she regularly updates the horses and sponsors sections.

“Ryan Hopper has invaluable equine knowledge. He is a good pair of eyes on the grounds and drives the truck which is a massive bonus for me. We have two younger members of staff, Jodie Carter from Dublin and Ceclia Mayne from England who are both learning the ropes. They are very cheerful and enthusiastic and add another dimension to the team.” Staff live-in which worked really well during the lockdowns.

Due to join the yard shortly from the United States is Kylie Cahoon from North Carolina. She has ridden up the grades and wants to progress her riding so asked if she could train with Joseph, working especially with the young horses. Disappointingly, Covid put paid to Murphy travelling to the States to hold clinics over the closed season but he innovated by sending training ideas and videos to clients who, in turn, sent footage for feedback.

“Since starting off at Liz Halliday-Sharp’s Ocala base a few years back, I have built up a mixed clientele of both amateur and professional riders,” explained Murphy. “This has also resulted in me sourcing numerous Irish-based horses for export to the States, and across Europe, while riders are coming over here to train.”

More recently, Murphy has been approached by Kate Walls, founder of Elite Sporthorse Productions, about collaborating in a series where top riders show how they train their horses and are trained themselves and share some exercises and techniques with grassroots riders. The series will be available on an online platform in the coming months. The Co Down rider is the beneficiary of training, through Horse Sport Ireland, from Tracie Robinson and Yogi Breisner (both former British high-performance trainers), plus Grant Wilson from Belgium and other top trainers.

Joseph Murphy and Cesar V finished 15th individually at Aachen CHIO \ Tomas Holcbecher

Brexit headache

While all this news is very positive, the elephant in the room is Brexit which, according to Jill, who has to deal with officialdom, “has been a complete headache for everyone in the industry, adding huge amounts of paperwork and expense. Gone are the days when you would be able to reroute to a different port when you are driving up the motorway if you have been delayed.

“The extra costs now to travel to Europe are colossal so you would need to be filling the lorry to make it worthwhile and have a very good reason to make the journey. Even a simple trip from here in the north across to Britain is not as straightforward as it used to be. On a positive note for others, we will not be able to take our pack of hounds – a great relief to all!”

The dogs are also a favourite of Jill and Joseph’s daughter Daisy who has been riding Lucy Townsley’s legendry Pepsi (33) since she was a year old, graduating on to Ruth McGovern’s (Swanton) Black Jack.

“Neither of us put any pressure on her to ride, if she wants to she will,” said Jill. “We try to make it fun for her and she often rides with her godmother, Rosie McBride, or the girls in the yard. If she wants to compete we will then hand the reins and the suitcase to her other godparents Michelle Nelson and Kieran Connors!”

Joseph has little in the way of spare time but tries hard to follow the exploits of his twin brother Ciaran who, at the start of the year, took over from Dot Love as the licensed trainer at Charlestown Stud. “It’s a new chapter for Ciaran and we talk frequently on long drives to the racecourse and events, discussing the horses in both yards and following each other’s progress,” said Joseph. “Ciaran’s recent successes have spurred me on to subscribe to Racing TV!”