Tipperary trainer Joe Murphy: 'I was hoping our lad would stay better and he did'
Immutable and Luke McAteer won the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Petingo Handicap for Gerard Kervick and Joe Murphy. Pic: Healy Racing Photo.
The nine races on day one of the Irish Champions Festival were won by eight different trainers and victory was especially sweet for Tipperary trainer Joe Murphy.
The Royal Ascot-winning trainer has had a tough 2026 but there have been a few highs along the way, notably when Pivotal Attack ended Murphy’s 283-day wait for a winner when winning the listed Arthur Guinness Irish EBF Corrib Fillies Stakes at the Galway festival.
Another came on Saturday as 25-1 shot Immutable took the honours in the World Pool Bet With Tote Autumn Fillies Handicap under Luke McAteer, getting the better of Yousaynothingatal by a neck.
“I knew he’d stay but I knew the second horse would stay as well and I was hoping our lad would stay better and he did,” Murphy said.
Reflecting on the challenges this year have presented, he added: “We keep at it, keep working, we didn’t change anything. We only have 32 horses in training but we have great staff, great riders and these are the big days and to have a winner is a lifetime memory cherished by our family, our owners, and all the staff. It’s a wonderful occasion.”
Out of luck in the opening race of the weekend where Timeless Tale finished second to Maire Rua, Willie McCreery got off the mark for the weekend in the World Pool Bet With Tote Autumn Fillies Handicap, the New Bay colt scoring in the hands of Ben Coen.
