Oisin Murphy backs Telecaster to come back stronger

Murphy still retains every faith in the colt, who was then a very disappointing last of 13 in the Derby at Epsom before disappointing in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.

However, trainer Hughie Morrison decided not to run Telecaster again in 2019 – he even had to be persuaded to supplement the horse in the Derby.

But he believes the horse is now physically stronger and will be able to compete in the top middle distance contests.

This view is shared by Murphy, who used the Dante victory as a springboard for his ultimately successful quest to become champion jockey.

Writing about Telecaster on the Qipco British Champions Series blog, he ventured: “I still hope there are some big days to come with this fellow.

“He’s a very good horse and he’s bred to be one, he’s by New Approach (2008 Derby winner) and his dam was placed in the Oaks.

“Hughie Morrison’s done a great job with him and he looks in super shape. He sent me some pictures of him the other day. Hopefully, he can get back on track this year. The way he won the Dante, beating Too Darn Hot, was so impressive and he set me up for a fantastic 2019.”

This was a second successive Dante win for Murphy who, 12 months previously, landed the centrepiece of York’s season-opening May meeting with Roaring Lion.

The grey went on to dominate the 2018 season before being retired to stud. Tragically, he died from colic last summer.

“Of all the horses I’ve been associated with in my career, I’d say Roaring Lion is the most important. He was a champion, a world champion. What a horse,” reflected the 24-year-old, eager at the time to reward the faith shown to him by Roaring Lion’s owners Sheikh Fahad and Qatar Racing.

“I was so lucky to be riding him at such a young age, it meant so much and it’s hard to put into words really. So just look at what we won; the Dante, the Eclipse, the Juddmonte International, the Irish Champion Stakes and the QEII, what a horse.

“He’ll always be tremendously important to me. Looking back, he was an easy ride, but he’d never pick up the bridle, he used to look at all the other horses. He knew he was good.”

York has already played a notable part in the Irish-born rider’s burgeoning career, notably his 2015 Ebor win on the fragile Litigant.

“It was the summer of 2015, I’d just lost my claim, I was second jockey at Qatar Racing with Andrea Atzeni riding the first string, so to ride the Ebor winner was huge,” added Murphy.

“I’ll never forget it, it was the most incredible training performance from Joe Tuite as well because the horse was crippled, he had to really manage him.

“We took him to Kempton to work and he worked like a 50-rated horse, he never worked well, but Joe just had him absolutely spot on for the Ebor.”

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