Murphy Looking Forward to Competing at Gulfstream Park

International standout jockey Oisin Murphy will begin riding at Gulfstream Park Dec. 28 with goals of gaining experience in dirt racing while aiming for a mount in the lucrative Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) Jan. 27 at the South Florida track.

"I know that one third of the races are on dirt, and I really want to get some experience on dirt. I want to ride against the best riders in the United States. Many of them are at Gulfstream—the Ortiz brothers, John Velazquez, and others," said the 28-year-old three-time British champion jockey. "I'd like to be there in the morning for trackwork and hopefully do well in the afternoon."

The $3 million Pegasus World Cup is a month away.

"I would love to get on something with a chance in a race like that. I know every big rider wants to be in that race," Murphy said after arriving in Miami on a flight from New York Dec. 27.

Murphy, who is scheduled to make Gulfstream his base through January, has been named to ride Christophe Clement-trained Streamsong , a debuting son of Omaha Beach  , in Thursday's ninth race, a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight race for 2-year-olds on Tapeta.

Murphy was born in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland, into a racing family and moved to England at the age of 17 in 2013. The following year he was honored as the British apprentice champion. He reigned as the British champion jockey in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Murphy has won group 1 or grade 1 races in England, Ireland, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Canada, France, and the U.S. 

"I grew up watching all the big races on television, and I always wanted to be a part of that. Then, to be able to ride in the Breeders' Cup, other big days in the U.S., the Dubai World Cup, the big days in Europe, it reminds me how fortunate I am to be able to ride good horses around the world," Murphy said.

Among his career highlights was riding Roaring Lion  to group 1 victories in the Eclipse Stakes (G1), Juddmonte International Stakes (G1), and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1) in England, and the Irish Champion Stakes (G1), all in 2018.

"When Roaring Lion came along, I became more regular in the big races. He was the champion turf horse in Europe. I had a lot of fun riding him," Murphy said.

He has won four grade 1 stakes in North America aboard Mawj  (2023 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes, G1T), Aspen Grove  (2023 Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes, G1T), Marche Lorraine  (2021 Breeders' Cup Distaff, G1) and Blond Me  (2017 E. P. Taylor Stakes, G1T). His most memorable victory came aboard Marche Lorraine in a huge upset.

"I got a lot of credit for my ride. It was a very proud moment. For a European rider to win a grade 1 on dirt is a massive thing. I'm very proud of that achievement," Murphy said.