RACING Orange will recognise Irish jockey Damien Murphy at the organisation’s January 30 TAB-meeting at Towac Park, naming one of the races after the fallen rider.
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Murphy passed on January 28, 2007 after a fall at Wellington on Australia Day that year, and Racing Orange executive officer Daniel Brincat said it seemed appropriate to pay homage to not just Murphy, but all fallen riders.
In fact, 874 Australian jockeys have died on Australian racetracks since 1850.
“It’s a small gesture from Racing Orange to pay our respects to the jockeys who have died, or been injured,” Brincat explained.
“It’s also a good way for us to give back the National Jockey’s Association (NJA), who do so much for those injured jockeys and the families of the riders who tragically pass.
“They approached us and asked if we’d like to donate a race, to be named after Damien, and obviously it was a very easy decision for us to say yes.”
The Damien Murphy Memorial Class 3 Handicap (1400 metres) is listed as the fourth race on the program, but is subject to change, and received 16 nominations from around the state.
“Representatives from the NJA will be out at the track on Friday as well, so it will be nice to have them there for the race,” Brincat said.
Racing Orange received a whopping 152 nominations for the meet, and due to the demand nominations have been extended until 11am today.
Brincat said with a race meeting in Mudgee on Sunday, Racing Orange hadn’t expected anywhere near the amount of nominations it received.
“Normally with two race meets so close together they can diminish each other a bit,” Brincat said.
“But we were surprised with 152, it’s very, very good. We’re looking at an acceptance rate, hopefully, of around 75 per cent.
“That will keep us on average with our other race meeting statistics.”
To pay homage to the fallen rider, local poet Kevin Pye penned a sonnet on Murphy’s life and career.
DAMIEN’S DREAM
By Kevin Pye
SOME chase their dreams around the world, they travel far and wide,
Just like an Irish jockey boy who came this far to ride.
From Bishapsland, County Kildare, he came out to the west,
Indentured to a trainer here, experience his quest.
From Irish fields of emerald green, he came with accent broad,
His rosy cheeks in constant blush won hearts with true accord.
He rode the track work every day, each horse and he a pair,
Exerting warm and steamy breath in chilly morning air.
His mentor taught him stable skills and routines for each horse,
Until the name of Murphy was well known on every course.
He lived each day so full of life, brought others so much joy,
Chasing his dreams so far from home, as “Damo”, the jockey boy.
His Master Bartley said of him, “He makes the day go fast,”
But then the sun forgot to rise and shadows dark were cast.
His book of rides at Wellington included “Ajay’s Luck”
Which fell before the final turn and brought the boy unstuck.
A jockey prone upon the turf is not a sight to see,
And to him there the helpers raced, as fast as they could be.
The jockey woke not from his dream, despite the best of care;
With heavy hearts the news was sent to Mum in old Kildare.
Dear Mary and her daughter Anne, then made their anguished flight,
To farewell their boy abroad and draw closed the shroud of white.
Some chase their dreams around the world, they travel far and wide,
But many woke in tears that day - the day a jockey died.
When stewards call out “Mount up” and the jockeys jump on board,
May they ride for home and glory, all blessed by the Lord.
