Staying focused: discipline the key to first jockeys' title says Oisin Murphy

Oisin Murphy, who will be crowned champion jockey at Ascot on Saturday, said that better discipline and focusing on race riding were the keys to his claiming his first title.

Murphy expects to have a full book of rides on Qipco Champions Day, with his mounts including Deirdre in the Champion Stakes, The Tin Man in the Champions Sprint and Benbatl in the QEII Stakes, all of whom he has scored on at the highest level over the last 18 months.

The jockey has not scaled the Group 1 heights of 2018 – when his retainer with Qatar Racing and the link-up with Saeed bin Suroor powered him to nine victories at the top level – but the 24-year-old has worked relentlessly to improve as a rider, with a virtually spotless disciplinary record a key factor in his march to the title.

"I've realised that allowing a horse to drift or hitting one once more that will win me a race will get me suspended," said Murphy. "The minimum suspension for whip or for interference is two days, so I could miss four winners.

"If I get a two-day suspension I’ll definitely miss riding, probably, eight fancied horses, I think that’s realistic. I’ve had that on my mind and as a result I’ve been suspension-free all year, that's been the number one thing."

Murphy also believes a suggestion from William Haggas that he focus on race riding has enabled him to last the relentless pace required to become champion.

Murphy said: "I realised at an early stage through the year that I couldn't ride out four times a week and still expect to ride more horses than anyone else in the afternoon. So I cut that out as well.

Deirdre and Oisin Murphy are led in after the Nassau StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I can't say that was my idea. William Haggas saw me one morning and he said it to me. I thought about it and I thought he was correct. And I've just got on faster horses. My agent [Gavin Horne] has got me on lots and lots of favourites."

Murphy set a ferocious pace early in the title race, which runs from Guineas weekend to this Saturday. But he said a midsummer slump which enabled rival Danny Tudhope to overhaul him led to plenty of soul-searching.

"When I went behind I was really under pressure," said Murphy. "I couldn't believe I'd allowed myself to go so far in front and then give it all away. I could only blame myself because my percentages were bad in June and I was getting beaten on lots of favourites for whatever reason."

A champion's advice: Oisin Murphy talks to Kieren Fallon in 2018Credit: Edward Whitaker

Murphy added: "I got great satisfaction when it started going back the right way and when I eventually got in front – I remember at Ffos Las I think it was – to finally feel like the season was going the right way again numerically and statistically. Now that it's done I don't look at myself and think of myself as champion jockey. Maybe for a couple of minutes on Saturday when I collect the trophy."

In a further glimpse of the mentality which has driven Murphy to a first title, he added: "I'd love to be really pleased with the way it's gone but I've just ridden more horses and probably worked harder than anyone else and that’s why I'm champion jockey."

Murphy's title success in numbers

Rides 850
Wins 166
Strike-rate 20 per cent

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