Joe Murphy’s Royal Ascot triumph with Cercene wasn’t just a win. It was a moment that lit up Tipperary and sent a powerful message to the wider racing world. The small-yard trainer, long respected for his work behind the scenes, found himself at the centre of one of the year’s most heartwarming stories as his filly stormed to Coronation Stakes glory.
In the weeks since, Murphy has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from home and beyond. But true to his roots, the veteran handler remains grounded. He is keen to highlight the role of family, staff and sheer belief in delivering what he calls a fairytale result. This is a story about more than just a race. It is about perseverance, pride and proof that the so-called little guy can still rise to the very top of the racing world.
At BoyleSports, we chatted exclusively to Murphy about THAT Coronation Stakes win, the life of a trainer with a smaller yard nowadays, plus Cercene’s next targets including a potential trip to the United States.
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‘Overwhelming’ Reaction to Cercene Coronation Stakes Glory
Well, it's been overwhelming by the people of Tipperary, and especially Fethard. Everywhere I go in Ireland we're receiving all heartfelt congratulations.
It's a fantastic story. It's a lovely success for our family and for the people of Tipperary and the owners. It's just overwhelming and it's still going on. Anyway, I can't change that!
Today's news has to be, you know, another day too, you know. You just have to wait for that.
My Royal Ascot Win Shows That the Little Guy Can Compete in the Big Arena
Of course it does. It carries the torch for a man who has a horse, you know. It's like the horse and his kingdom, you know what I mean? If the horse is good enough, he gets a bigger kingdom.
Important Phone Calls Since Royal Ascot Win?
No, that won't happen! That never will. We're not a big yard. We're a small yard. We have friendly owners and family owners.
I can see that maybe that can happen at the sales. But we haven’t had an important phone call from anyone in the aftermath.
There's always another day and you have to prove yourself that Royal Ascot was not just a one-off. We feel we get the best out of every horse for every owner. That's our team.
Is This The Solution For Yards To Deal with Racing’s Staffing Crisis?
There are 30 horses in the yard. We had 50-55, but with the way staffing is in the racing industry, it's impossible. So, what we've done is we’ve cut down on numbers and increased our wages for them to ensure we get the good staff. Like Napoleon said to his troops, every soldier carries an officer’s knapsack. That means there is opportunity for all.
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Why Small Yards Can Still Make An Impact In Racing Today
It is challenging, no question about it, for the number of pedigrees and wealth that's thrown at it.
But don't forget it's a race and every race you go into the stalls and if you win then that builds the value.
You mustn't forget that it's a race, so every horse has a chance.
To me, I think all horses are well-bred today. It's just a matter of the more expensive owners getting the better pedigrees. But it’s a horse that makes a page (in terms of profile), a page doesn't make a horse.
Love At First Sight With Cercene + A Potential Trip Stateside
I bought her at the September yearling sales in Fairyhouse. The minute she walked in the door at the sales, I knew she had something about her. She's small, but that doesn't bother me. But her conformation and her athleticism were just overwhelming. And as I said, I didn't buy her, she bought me. That was it.
Our plan is to go to the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood, then the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown, and then maybe the Breeders' Cup. They are the three races we've mapped out.
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The Person Who Deserves The Most Credit For Cercene’s Success
Well, she might be our first Group One winner, but Ardbrae Lady was second in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, and third in the Moyglare, and Euphrasia was third in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh in 2014. So, we have had some good ones.
But on her record, Cercene has to be the best now.
I have to give credit to my son Joseph since he came on board. He has brought it to a certain level and really, he's the planner and he has brought my level to a higher pitch.
It's thanks to him really and my wife Carmel. When you're training horses, there's someone that has to keep everything on the level. She's good at all that. She runs the office.
If I didn’t have Joseph around, I probably would not be doing it now. That's the way things go.
It's a real family affair, no question about it. It's people and horses together. And then you get a result. That's it.
I go to the Yearling sales and I'm excited as I was when I first went with my father. As I’ve said before, I hope there is a Tattersalls and Goffs Sales in heaven!
You always have to live in hope. Every time you buy a yearling, you have to believe it's going to be a good one.
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