'If you don't want to be champion you shouldn't be training'

What advice would you give your ten-year-old self?
If you work hard and believe in your own ability the sky is the limit.

Growing up in a racing household [his father Aiden is a bloodstock agent and mother Anabel is a trainer], was there ever a time you weren't going into the family trade?
I was always going to be involved in racing from an early age, riding a finish on the arm of the sofa. Believe it or not though, I was a very good runner and had trials for Coventry City football club at 15.

When did you first know you’d become a trainer?
When I rode a winner point-to-pointing at Cold Harbour. I had to weigh out with no girths, no irons and no back protector to do 12 stone after not eating for three days. I realised it was not for me.

Did your parents encourage you or try to talk you out of it
They have both been very supportive in whatever road I have gone down. I certainly could not have started up training without them both behind me.

What was your former boss Gordon Elliott's parting advice when you left to start on your own?
I had a long chat with him one evening in his kitchen when I explained that I thought it was time I went home. He was behind me from the word go and has always stressed to me not to complicate things. I still ring him up for advice.

You've made a sensational start. How can you keep it up?
We'll just try to keep doing what we are doing – keeping horses healthy and running them in the right races.

You've already had winners under both codes. For preference would your future be principally Flat or jumps?
Definitely a jumps trainer although I got a great buzz out of my first winner being on the Flat and training a sprint winner.

Would you rather train the winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup or be champion trainer?
Champion trainer. I had a small part in the Gordon Elliott/Willie Mullins tussle last season in Ireland, and if you don’t want to be champion trainer you shouldn't be training racehorses.

What’s the best bet you’ve ever had?
Diamond King in the Coral Cup.

If you could play any other sport professionally, which would it be and why?
Football! I have a left foot like Lionel Messi's but the engine of Emile Heskey.

What do you think racing does best?
It brings a great group of people together through the bad and the good.

Other than better prize-money, what is the one thing you would change about racing?
There should be a month off in the winter for the Flat and in the summer for jumps.

What is your earliest racing memory?
Rooster Booster winning the County Hurdle. Philip Hobbs is a man I look up to and my dad (Aiden Murphy) has worked closely with him for a long time.

Rooster Booster (far side) jumps the last in the 2002 County Hurdle

Which country would you most like to race in that you haven’t yet?
The Breeders' Cup looks a great spectacle and is something I would like to do.

Kauto Star or Arkle?
Kauto Star – what a horse.

What’s your biggest ambition in racing?
As above – champion trainer, and to train winners on the biggest stage.

And outside of racing?
To stand on the podium at Wembley when Aston Villa, the love of my life, get back up to the Premier League.

What is your worst habit?
The lads in Gordon's would say eating a fry-up. I’m fairly good at that.

If you could meet one person, past or present, who would it be?
Tiger Woods – a fair operator on and off the golf course!

What has been your most embarrassing moment?
When Diamond King was jumping the last at Cheltenham in the Coral Cup I was looking at the big screen and tripped over my own two feet. Linford Christie would have been proud of the speed I was going, as would James Bond of the disguised army roll I performed. It was all captured on camera and the lads got some kick out of watching the replay.

What is your most treasured possession?
My mobile phone, without a doubt.

How do you relax away from racing?
I go to watch Aston Villa as frequently as I can.

Who has been the greatest influence on your career?
Mum and Dad, who have been hugely supportive, and Gordon of course. Gordon didn't get a leg up from anyone but had that hunger to win. Look where he is today – that says it all.

Who do you most admire from the ‘other’ code?
Jockey George Baker. Despite his battle with the scales he is the most natural man I have ever seen sat on a horse. He's been very good to the family and I'm just delighted he's healthy and well in himself again.

What’s your biggest fear?
Not training winners and flirting with failure.

Do you have a nickname?
Present ‘Murf’, and past ‘Screech’, as I looked like that fella [Dustin Diamond] from the American sitcom Saved By The Bell.

Social media – friend or foe?
Friend.

Who would be your four ideal dinner party guests?
Gordon Elliott, Tom Howley (Mr Easyfix), Mouse O’Ryan (bloodstock agent) and Ian ‘Busty’ Amond (Elliott assistant) – the four of us were very close when I was at Gordon's and you would have to cook a fair feast.

Who’s your biggest fancy for next week?
Churchill in the Sussex Stakes.