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The champ is back: assessing Oisin Murphy's chances as he takes first British rides of 2025 at Kempton on Wednesday

Oisin Murphy at Ascot in September 2023
Oisin Murphy: rides at Kempton on WednesdayCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Reigning champion jockey Oisin Murphy takes his first British rides of 2025 at Kempton this evening.

Murphy, who has three rides including odds-on favourite Quai De Bethune in the second division of the mile maiden for trainer Andrew Balding, was last in action at Gulfstream Park in Miami on Saturday when he finished tenth on Balnikhov in the Pegasus World Cup Turf.

Last year Murphy racked up 216 winners across the domestic campaign, including four winners at Royal Ascot where he won the two Group 1 sprints on Khaadem and Asfoora.

He later notched at the highest level for his retainers Qatar Racing when New Century landed the Grade 1 Summer Stakes at Woodbine in September and scored on his travels again with a Group 1 win aboard Giavellotto in the Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin in December.

Murphy, 29, began the year with a winner in South Africa and had his first ride over hurdles at Wincanton on Boxing Day aboard the Neil Mulholland-trained Ike Sport, who was pulled up.


Murphy's mounts

Quai De Bethune

Race: 6.00 Kempton, 1m maiden

Finished a promising third to the Murphy-ridden Cosmic Year in a 7f maiden at Sandown last September. With that winner targeting the 2,000 Guineas this Andrew Balding colt must have outstanding claims stepped up to a mile for his second start.

Spotlight comment: Stayed on for third, beaten over 8l by the impressive winner, on his Sandown debut last September (7f, good); should be capable of much better this year and he's one to consider. 

Silk
Quai De Bethune18:00 Kempton (A.W)
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Jky: Oisin Murphy Tnr: Andrew Balding

Midnight’s Dream

Race: 7.00 Kempton, 7f handicap

This newly gelded four-year-old was last seen finishing third over a mile at Newcastle in October and could prosper back at 7f; holds each-way claims at the least.

Spotlight comment: Not much better since he went handicapping three starts back but creditable C&D fifth on penultimate start and close third at Newcastle (again 7f) later in October; needs to find a bit extra and he has been gelded. 

Silk
Midnight's Dream19:00 Kempton (A.W)
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Jky: Oisin Murphy Tnr: Roger Varian

Camera Shy

Race: 7.30 Kempton, 6f handicap

A close third in a Chelmsford novice in November on his first start since being gelded, having made a winning start on his debut at Newmarket, but a draw in stall 12 means he is likely to require some luck in running.

Spotlight comment: Overcame inexperience to make a winning debut at Newmarket (6f, good) last May; flopped when odds-on favourite for an Italian Group 3 (6f, soft) the following month but he bounced back with close third in Chelmsford novice on his return in November (first run since gelded); withdrawn having broken out of the stalls at Lingfield three weeks ago (11-1 at the time); widest draw to contend with. 

Silk
Camera Shy19:30 Kempton (A.W)
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Jky: Oisin Murphy Tnr: Michael Bell

Read these next:

Champion Flat jockey Oisin Murphy to make debut over hurdles on Boxing Day 

Marco Botti credits Oisin Murphy's advice after Giavellotto lands £2.4 million Hong Kong Vase 

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Newmarket correspondent

Published on inBritain

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