WE will miss seeing Timmy Murphy in the saddle. We have missed seeing him ride over obstacles for a little while now.

Murphy was built for horses. He was a part of the animal that is the horse-and-jockey. He realised at an early stage of his career that you couldn’t jump the fence yourself, that you had to trust that the horse would do that part of it. So he sat still. He became the quietest of riders, the stillest of riders.

Michael Hourigan was brilliant to him at a time at which he needed an arm around his shoulder. He formed a formidable partnership with Beef Or Salmon. The timing was perfect, they were brilliant for each other and together they conquered the world. They teamed up to win two Hilly Way Chases, a James Nicholson Champion Chase, an Ericsson Chase, a Hennessy Gold Cup, a John Durkan Chase, a Punchestown Gold Cup, and others.

Other big winners? Comply Or Die, of course, in the 2008 Grand National. Merigo in the Scottish National in 2010 and again in 2012. Jessies Dream in the Drinmore Chase in 2010, Gordon Elliott’s first Grade 1 winner. Al Eile for John Queally in the Aintree Hurdle in 2005 and again in 2007 and again in 2008. Our Vic in the 2008 Ryanair Chase.

Best one? Probably Davids Lad in the Irish National in 2001. That was quintessential Murphy. Trainer Tony Martin said that it was the best ride that he has ever seen any rider give any horse. Those horsemanship skills will remain a big asset for Murphy now in his next chapter.

Worrying ramifications of British ruling

Nobody wants to see people losing jobs, and the hit that racing’s finances in Britain is going to take is worrying, and it will all undoubtedly have ramifications for Ireland, but they surely knew that having 4,000 or so betting shops dependent on slot machines was not sustainable in the long term.