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Oisin Murphy gives Dream Of Dreams the thumbs up

Oisin Murphy: Classic weekend with Pyledriver going for St Leger

By Oisin Murphy

Sporting Life Plus

Fri September 11, 2020 · 4y ago

Champion Jockey Oisin Murphy talks Dream Of Dreams, the St Leger, Irish Champions Weekend and Serpentine’s return as he serves a suspension in warmer climes.

Getting away

I’ve travelled to Italy for a few days to get away while I’m suspended and it’s helping me avoid watching Doncaster and potential winners I might’ve ridden.

It’s frustrating for me to be on the sidelines when I’m fit and healthy but I’m dealing with it okay, there are much bigger problems in the world.

There’s top-class racing everywhere you look this weekend, from Doncaster to Ireland to Longchamp and, while I wish I was involved, there will be other days for me.

Hoping to continue Dream partnership

Dream Of Dreams was brilliant in the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday, a dream ride in more ways than one!

I didn’t want to be too bullish as you never know with sprinters and it was a very competitive race, but he’s a top-class horse and I’m just delighted to get the leg up on him.

I rode him prominently in both starts I’ve been on him and he’s a very good horse that can win more Group Ones.

Hopefully I can continue the partnership. Obviously Ryan Moore is stable jockey to Sir Michael Stoute when available, but I’d love to stay on him and win more races at the top level.

He’s well capable of going in again on the biggest stage and the QIPCO Champions Sprint on Champions Day at Ascot looks the race for him.

Oisin Murphy plants a kiss on Dream Of Dreams at Haydock

Pyledriver can win the St Leger

The big question in the Pertemps St Leger is will Pyledriver stay?

He looks the best horse in the race and wouldn’t it be fabulous if William Muir could train a Classic winner, it’s a fantastic story.

I’d ride him the way Martin Dwyer has been riding him, particularly at Ascot, taking his time, switching him off early.

The Aidan O’Brien horses will likely ensure a good gallop to play to their strengths and that should suit Pyledriver and help him settle.

He’s not really bred for the job, but I reckon he’ll stay well and if he does he’s the one to beat.

Santiago is the main danger.

He’s got Classic-winning form and drops back in distance after the Goodwood Cup, but the betting tells you that and I’d agree with it, I can’t really see past the first two in the market.

English King is training well and would have a good each-way chance if he ran, but he’s entered in the Grand Prix de Paris as well and I think the intention is to run there.

Pyledriver dents some tall reputations in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur

WATCH: Oisin Murphy on the weekend's action

Ghaiyyath looks unbeatable in Irish Champion

How do you get Ghaiyyath beaten?

I’m not sure you can to be honest. It’s his gate speed, he’s so quick in the first furlong, he goes very fast and that puts you on the back foot. You don’t want to rush your horse as you want to finish your race.

To get Ghaiyyath beat you probably need a speedy horse to eyeball him in the early part of the race, but finding one to keep up with him is not easy.

I just think he’s a bit of a monster and I don’t think we’ll see him beaten until he meets very slow ground over a mile and a half.

Ghaiyyath - brilliant winner of the Juddmonte International

Know It All has Matron chance

Know It All runs in the Group One Matron Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday for Johnny Murtagh and Qatar Racing and she has an each-way chance.

She ran a cracker in the Prix Rothschild, I couldn’t get cover and I think you can upgrade that performance.

She’s a daughter of Lord Kanaloa who is one of the best sires in Japan and I actually think she’ll appreciate a little bit of dig in the ground.

Conditions will be no problem to her and I wouldn’t be surprised if she was bang there.

Donnacha O’Brien’s filly, Fancy Blue, will be ridden forward and she’s by Deep Impact so there’s a Japanese connection with her as well, so let’s see, it’s an open race and I have a lot of faith in Know It All.

She’s a massive big muscular filly, she’s certainly not feminine in any way, she’s a big girl.

Trainer Johnny Murtagh

Serpentine back on track

I’m looking forward to seeing the Investec Derby winner Serpentine back on the track in the Grand Prix de Paris on Sunday, it’ll be interesting to see how they ride him.

I think they will be aggressive, he stays well and he’s quick through his mid-race sectionals.

It’s an interesting one to see who rides him and if English King takes him on again we should be in for a good race. He’s training well and could get much closer this time.