Oisin Murphy Set for First Jumps Ride at Wincanton on Boxing Day

Four-time champion Flat jockey Oisin Murphy will make his long-awaited debut over jumps at Wincanton on Boxing Day.

Murphy, the nephew of Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National-winning jockey Jim Culloty, has harboured a long-standing ambition to ride under National Hunt rules. He was initially scheduled to debut at the same venue in December last year aboard Lets Do This, trained by Cian Collins, but the meeting was abandoned.

This time, Murphy will partner with Ike Sport, trained by Neil Mulholland, in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle at the Somerset track.

“I was chatting with him recently, and he mentioned that riding over jumps has been a goal for a while, especially with his sister Blaithin working as general manager at Wincanton,” said Mulholland.

The trainer is optimistic about the pairing, saying, “The horse should give him a good spin. Ike Sport has some solid form, and the conditions should suit him with no rain forecast.”

Murphy’s venture into jumping marks an exciting new chapter for the Flat racing star, blending family connections and professional ambition in a festive season highlight.