Murphy partners European Horse of the Year Roaring Lion to a fourth G1 success this year in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes last month.
Murphy knows all about that. He rode in Hong Kong on a short-term contract two winters back and flew in for two G1 race days last term.
“Hong Kong racing is one of the most competitive racing arenas in the world so I’m really looking forward to coming back again,” he said.
“Because it’s so tough to win you can never go expecting too much but I’ve always enjoyed my trips in the past, and, although I’m only coming for the four meetings this time, it would be great to get aboard a winner or two.”
Murphy, still only 22, notched a respectable four wins during his first visit. Since then, his rapid rise to the top has continued unabated. He achieved a first G1 win when Aclaim took the October 2017 Prix de la Foret and has now won at the elite grade in France, Canada, Dubai, Britain, Germany and Ireland – Hong Kong would be a welcome addition to that list.
“I would hope my riding has improved a bit thanks to the experience I’ve gained in various countries,” he said of his international experience, which also included a whirlwind stint in Australia as an apprentice.
“But the bottom line is that I’ve had some very fast Group 1 horses to ride this year. Benbatl winning the Dubai Turf for Godolphin back in March was definitely one of the highlights, but Lightning Spear winning the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood was another and Roaring Lion has been a star all year long, winning four G1s in a row and giving me some very special days including in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.”
Moore on-side