Qatar Racing has officially announced that Oisin Murphy’s retainer will conclude at the end of the 2026 Flat season, marking the end of a highly productive era for the Irish jockey. The decision aligns with the organization’s strategic move to reduce the number of horses in training within Britain. Despite the domestic split, Murphy will retain his status as a key rider for the stable in international campaigns, ensuring his presence in major global races continues.
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The partnership between Murphy and the claret and blue silks has yielded significant results, including nine Group/Grade 1 victories. Notable winners under his saddle include Roaring Lion, Kameko, Lightning Spear, Sunway, and New Century. Murphy’s journey with the stable began in earnest in 2014 when he rode Hot Streak to victory in the Group 2 Temple Stakes, a race that served as both his first career Group winner and his first success for Qatar Racing.
Murphy’s tenure as the stable’s premier jockey, a role he assumed in 2016 after serving as second jockey since 2015, coincided with his dominance in British Flat Racing. He secured the Champion Jockey title five times in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024, and 2025. Furthermore, Murphy achieved a personal milestone in 2020 by recording his 1,000th career winner while wearing Qatar Racing colors. Qatar Racing chairman Sheikh Fahad praised the collaboration, describing it as a “wonderful journey” and highlighting Murphy’s rise to become one of the world’s elite jockeys.
Source: Thoroughbred Daily News
