Hero’s welcome

THERE was unbridled joy in a Cork stable yesterday as a Cheltenham champion was welcomed home.

The sun beamed down on trainer John Murphy’s Highfort House lands in Upton as dozens of family and friends supped champagne in his yard to toast Newmill’s success in the prestigious Queen Mother Champion Chase.

It was a hectic week for John, his wife, Carolan, and their children, George, 13, Emily, 11, Sophie, eight, and Olivia, six, since Limerick jockey AJ McNamara rode their stable’s 16-1 shot Newmill to victory last Wednesday, putting their yard on the international horseracing map.

“It’s been crazy all week, but great,” John said.

As stable driver, Barry Desmond, and head lass, Pam Osbourne, kept a close eye on Newmill, the horse himself appeared to take the celebrations in his stride.

With freshly painted hoofs and a belly full of apples, he was happy to pose for pictures. Pam said it had been an incredible week.

“John had a great programme for him. Everything just seemed to come together,” she said.

At the Murphy home, overlooking the rolling Innishannon countryside, the well-wishers relieved the moment the eight-year-old won his biggest race. Carolan’s father, George Ross, watched it on TV at home.

“It was a dream. It tested the heart, though,” he said.

Newmill’s proud owners, Batt and Mary Hayes from Rosscarbery, looked on.

“I bought him four years ago at the sales in Goffs,” Batt said. “I never thought I’d see this. He has a great engine,” he said.

The celebrations, which kicked off in nearby Joe Twohig’s Railway Bar were expected to go on all night at Highfort Stud.

And there could be more success on the way. There’s plans at Highfort House to expand the stables.