3 minute read

Olly Murphy enjoyed a special first winner in Ireland when saddling Brewin’upastorm to victory in the Grade 2 Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

The veteran eleven-year-old has enjoyed a stellar career over both hurdles and fences but has most recently spent his time over the former, including when winning the National Spirit at Fontwell in February last year.

With Maxxum crashing out at the second last, it quickly developed into a battle between Brewin'Upastorm and the market leader Zarak The Brave, who was a 5/6 chance to land the spoils for team Willie Mullins.

However, as hard as Zarak The Brave may try up the run in, Willie Mullins' charge couldn't get past the battle-hardened Brewin'upastorm, who found plenty for pressure to score by three-quarters of a length under Jack Kennedy.

Murphy, who was assistant for Ireland powerhouse trainer Gordon Elliott, said of his first Irish winner: "I enjoyed that! He's a very good horse on his day and he's only good once a year, if that makes sense.

"He really turned up today and I thought he just outstayed Willie's horse from the back of the last.

"Ireland has been a brilliant place for me, I spent five fantastic years here. I learned an awful lot from Gordon (Elliott) and watched Jack grow up to be the man he is today, I watched him ride his first winner.

"Coming over and taking on the best of the Irish, the way National Hunt racing is at the moment on both side of the Irish Sea, it was something I always wanted to do – train a winner over here.

"I really enjoyed that, Ireland has been a very good place for me and to come back and have a big winner here is magic.

"I probably came over due to the lack of opportunities on our side of the sea. It's hard to win anywhere, it's hard to win in England let alone here.

"I enjoyed that as much as any winner I've trained."