Rapid Round with Alison Murphy

In today's instalment of 2022 Rapid Round, we feature a quick-fire round with Alison Murphy, bloodstock assistant at Lindsay Park Racing.

TDN AusNZ: What is your first memory related to horses?

Alison Murphy: I grew up in a coastal village on the far south coast of NSW. I remember looking for something to do during the winter months when it was too cold to swim. I starting going to a local trail riding school/racing yard where I would work, mucking out boxes in exchange for lessons. I learnt to ride on a retired circus pony.

TDN AusNZ: What was your first job in the thoroughbred industry?

AM: I was fortunate to be placed at Woodlands Stud, for work experience during the breeding season as part of my studies at Marcus Oldham College. Woodlands was owned at the time by Jack and Bob Ingham. I had never seen anything like it and loved every minute, especially the nine-day post-foaling care. It was such a wonderful experience. In those days, the mares were brought to the teasing yards on horseback rather than motorbikes.

We would muster cattle across the massive property on horseback as well. I got to learn from legends such as Peter Flynn, Jeannie Harris, Greg Atkins and his father, Darryl. After I graduated, I returned to Woodlands for the breeding season. Working in the hospital and nine-day area sparked an interest in equine care and nursing that diverted my attention from riding to studwork.

TDN AusNZ: What pathways led you to become the Bloodstock Assistant at Lindsay Park Racing?

AM: I think exposure to all facets of life on a stud farm, working with the mares on a daily basis, seeing familial traits passed through generations is of enormous benefit. The Woodlands broodmare band was massive! There were daughters of daughters of daughters, and without seeing their pedigree page, you could have a fairly accurate guess as to their family; not only from their appearance and temperament but from the way in which Suzanne Philcox had cleverly named them.

It's the same with the stallions; watching foals coming through the crush, you become aware of the sire’s traits both physically and in their temperament.

This resonated when working at Coolmore Stud in Ireland, especially in the Sadler’s Wells foals. Physically, you could pick them a mile away. They had such lovely temperaments, very intelligent and inquisitive.

Following my time at Woodlands, I did yearling preparation at Brian Agnew’s Wakefield Stud. At the time they stood several busy stallions - Kala Dancer, Hurricane Sky, Zephyr Zip and Green Line Express. It was a great learning experience, everybody did everything, and come yearling sale time, filling out inspection cards, Brian Nutt took the time to help me match names to faces in the bloodstock industry. At the time I didn’t realise how helpful this would be.

I was incredibly fortunate to receive the Hunter Valley Bloodhorse Breeders Association scholarship to the Irish National Stud (INS). It was the year that Desert King won the Irish Derby. The INS bred the horse; his dam, Sabaah was on the farm at the time, visiting Indian Ridge.

Once I got over my homesickness, I loved working in Ireland and continued travelling between hemispheres according to breeding season; Coolmore Stud in Ireland, and nursing in the Intensive Care Unit at Scone Equine Hospital.

When I decided to remain in Australia, I had the pleasure of working at Vinery, preparing yearlings for the major sales. The yearlings from that farm are always beautifully presented, well-mannered young athletes. The standout example from a stellar lineup would have to be Exceed And Excel. Even as a yearling he had a great temperament and distinct presence.

I think working with horses, having hands-on farm experience with them at every level has kept me interested and inspired to learn more. I haven’t been behind a desk much in that time so now I am using what I have learned outside to help me learn about pedigrees and bloodstock in a racing stable environment.

TDN AusNZ: Who is your favourite horse in work right now? Why?

AM: That’s a tricky question. I couldn’t choose between Lady Of Honour and Tijuana.

They are both such magnificent horses who genuinely love to work. They both have a presence and quality about them. Lady Of Honour has a distinct stride, she really clears the ground in her action. Watching Tijuana develop into the athlete he is has been very exciting. He’s an absolute professional. We have some very exciting horses in the stable, but these two take the cake!

TDN AusNZ: Most used saying/word around the stables?

AM: I probably shouldn’t say!

TDN AusNZ: What was your highlight of the sales season?

AM: Watching the sales team work together to bring a diverse group of yearlings home was a highlight.

We have a team who, through a collaborative approach, brings knowledge from every aspect of the industry. As a result, our 2022 yearling purchases are an exciting cohort of first-season sires, early types and those who will need more time. We have a lot of new clients buying with us, as well as our established racing partners. It’s a very exciting time for the team at Lindsay Park.

TDN AusNZ: Which stallion do you consider to be 'under the radar', and why?

AM: I really like Better Than Ready. He has sired a lot of good horses. I love his sire More Than Ready. You can see the similarities between the two, and their progeny.

TDN AusNZ: What advice would you give to an aspiring person wanting to work in the industry?

AM: Dream big, work hard, listen hard. Take every opportunity to travel and to place yourself in a position to learn. It can be a tough industry at times, but the lifestyle benefits outweigh the negatives. There is the opportunity to live and work in such incredible places. You will meet all sorts of people and all sorts of horses!

TDN AusNZ: If you could be someone else in the industry for a day who would it be, and why?

AM: James McDonald aboard Nature Strip, King's Stand S., Royal Ascot 2022.

TDN AusNZ: What positive change you would like to see in the industry?

AM: As an employee, I see so much positive change. I am a sole parent working full-time. Lindsay Park have been incredibly supportive and understanding, giving me the flexibility to be a parent and an employee. It’s so important for everybody to feel valued and supported in the workplace.

I think the industry is really making changes to accommodate the diverse needs of its employees.

The focus on supporting mental health on all levels throughout the industry is something that will always be of paramount importance. Everybody, no matter who or why, needs to know they can reach out. I think there’s no limit to how much the industry can promote and diversify access to assistance for everyone.