'But for his problems Timmy Murphy could have been one of the all-time greats'
Stuart Riley looks back on the career of a stylist and tactical genius
![Timmy Murphy returns triumphant on the Michael Hourigan-trained Beef Or Salmon after a Grade 1 success at Down Royal in 2004](/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fs3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com%2Fprod-media-racingpost%2Fprod%2Fimages%2F169_1008%2F24f645206fe2-34082.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
On his day Timmy Murphy was one of the best riders around. But for well-publicised problems early in his career he could be retiring as one of the all-time greats.
A prison sentence came right after his first Grade 1 win on Armaturk in 2002 and cost him the Paul Nicholls job in the time of See More Business and Azertyuiop. Ruby Walsh replaced him and along came a raft of superstars.
That he rode a further 19 winners at the highest level after that sort of setback was a testament to his riding talent, as was a final tally of 1,250 jumps winners in Britain and Ireland, bettered only by ten others.
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