Oisin Murphy wins the Norfolk Stakes on The Lir Jet, his first Royal Ascot winner for his employer Qatar Racing.
Graham Ford May Zhao
The 2020 Royal Ascot Jockey Club commenced as scheduled from June 16-20 this year. Every year from Tuesday to Saturday at the turn of mid-to-late June, the Royal Ascot Race Meeting are five days of grandiose display. It goes without saying: the new crown virus broke out. There was no spectator in the field, but the game still proceeded in an orderly manner. After the game, we interviewed the champion jockey Osin Murphy.
Oisin Murphy wins the Norfolk Stakes on The Lir Jet, his first Royal Ascot winner for his employer Qatar Racing.
How did the lack of spectators influence you?
There is no atmosphere this year. Royal Ascot is renowned for having a big crowd and lots of noise. This year there is an absence of glitz and glamour. But the equine stars are still out in force.
What training and preparations have you been able to do during the epidemic?
I downloaded a base PT app on my phone and used this daily. I also did lots of walking, and I was able to ride out for Ralph Beckett as his yard is a completely self-contained training facility.
How does this year’s competition feel compared to previous years?
It is very, very different, and you can’t really compare this year to the usual Royal meeting, but we’re delighted to be racing because we’re the only sport back at the moment. It is also a golden opportunity for racing to reach a captive audience that it wouldn’t do normally.
How has the performance of your horse changed compared to previous years?
The horses don’t get too excited because there are no people here, and everything is much more relaxed for the horses.
What will you do after the race?
The Royal meeting is five days of very competitive world-class racing, so I try and remained focused, keep my head down and take every race as it comes.
What do you expect from the future? What expectations do you have for the future?
I want to be Champion jockey again, whether at the end of this year or in the future. It is the dream and ambition of every jockey to get on the best horses. I would also like to win many more Group 1’s / Classics.
Some other photos
Adam Kirby wins the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup on Golden Horde at Royal Ascot 19.06.20
Frankie Dettori wins the Hardwicke Stakes on Fanny Logan 19.06.20, his 70th Royal Ascot winner.
Hollie Doyle won the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes on Scarlet Dragon at odds of 33/1. It’s her first Royal Ascot winner.