Denton Hall News

Dods proud to play a part in champion's 1,000th win

TRAINER Michael Dods has tonight spoken of his pride at supplying the ammunition for champion jockey Oisin Murphy to ride his 1,000th winner in Britain.

Murphy reached the milestone when Perfect Sign, pictured in her box below, won  well at Southwell, securing a third win on the day for the Denton trainer, who had earlier scored a double at Catterick with 50-1 shot Secret Eagle and Byron’s Choice.

Michael said: “It’s great to have been involved in Oisin joining the 1,000 club but Perfect Sign was also our first winner for Qatar, so we are doubly delighted. We’re really grateful for their support.”

Cork-born Murphy edged closer to retaining his title as Perfect Sign, a two-year-old filly by Charm Spirit, won by two and three-quarter lengths from Sealed Offer.

Murphy, 25, has also had winners all over Europe and the rest of the world, and was champion apprentice in 2014.

He was appointed number one jockey for Qatar Racing in 2016, and secured his first Classic success in June this year by winning the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket with Kameko, in the Qatar colours.

Murphy said: “I ride for great people, and it’s really nice to get my 1,000th in these colours. When you start out as an apprentice you hope to just get one winner – hopefully I can ride 1,000 more in the future.

“I ride good horses all over the world – I’m very privileged and I have to remember that.”

Despite the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, it has been another successful season for Michael Dods Racing, with Perfect Sign the 41st winner of the campaign.