Timmy Murphy winning the National on Comply Or Die
Timmy Murphy winning the National on Comply Or Die

Timmy Murphy retires after riding Chepstow winner


Timmy Murphy announced his retirement from the saddle following a winner at Chepstow on Tuesday evening.

The 43-year-old enjoyed success under both codes but registered his most famous victory when partnering Comply Or Die to win the 2008 Grand National for David Pipe.

Murphy switched codes to the Flat in 2015 following a prolonged period on the sidelines, riding his first winner on the level at Wolverhampton in May that year.

He has ridden over 1,000 horses in that sphere since making the transition and opted to call time on his career after riding the Neil Mulholland-trained Happy Escape to land the Best Odds Guaranteed At 188Bet Handicap at the Welsh venue.

He said: "I wanted to ride a winner. I was struggling with my weight through the winter and I wanted to go out on my own terms. I wasn't sure where or when it would happen, I thought it might have happened at Catterick yesterday, but that wasn't to be. I've had a good innings and been lucky enough to ride for some great people.

"I've ridden some fantastic horses. Obviously Comply Or Die is right up there, but I had some great days with Our Vic, Well Chief and Beef Or Salmon and I rode Best Mate too.

"There's a lot of people to thank, my parents, Michael Hourigan and Michael Halford who started it all off through to Neil Mulholland who ended it tonight and some great people in between. Jim Old, Paul Nicholls, the Pipes and David Johnson's family - I've been very lucky."

While Murphy has hung up his boots, he plans to continue riding out for Richard Hannon as well as expanding his own business.

He added: "I've been doing some rest and recuperation and I'll look to build on that now. I'll also be working for Mr Hannon, who has been fantastic to me, and just enjoy it now."

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