Murphy in town and ready for Frances

Jack Milner

To win a Grade 1 race on every continent is high up on the list of jockey Oisin Murphy’s goals.

The UK champion jockey touched down at OR Tambo International on Friday morning ahead of his ride on Frances Ethel in Saturday’s R6-million Betway Summer Cup over 2000m at Turffontein.

“Absolutely!” said Murphy. “To have a Grade 1 victory on every continent would be amazing, and if I can’t do it at Turffontein then I would love to try it in another race in South Africa, like the Cape Town Met.”

While Murphy has spent time in South Africa he has yet to ride in the country and that has all changed courtesy of Brett Crawford-trained Frances Ethel.

“I know very little about the filly, but I know the connections seem very happy with her condition.

“She’s well weighted with 54kg and she’s drawn well at No 7. I know the top weight (See It Again) is decent and he carries 60kg.

“I also know this race has been getting nice publicity. There was even an article in the Racing Post in the UK.

“It was very good of Team Valor and Ash Maharaj to give me this opportunity.”

Murphy was crowned UK champion for the fourth time last month with a winning strike rate of 22%. “I rode 230 winner this year but only had three Group 1 winners as opposed to five last year.

“It would be nice to another Group 1 winner on Saturday.”

Murphy spent some time in South Africa a couple of years back. “I have been to Joburg before as well as Cape Town and went of a few safaris. I also spent time at Mauritzfontein stud in Kimberley.”

After a flight which began in Paris on Thursday, then to London Heathrow before going on to Frankfurt to board the flight to Joburg, Murphy will first clean up at his hotel before travelling on to Turffontein.

“I always like to walk the course, and I’ll do that this afternoon.”