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Olly Murphy 2025-26 Jumps season stable tour plus dark horses to follow

Last Updated: Mon 29 Sep 2025

Leading trainer and Betano ambassador Olly Murphy provides Racing TV's Harry Allwood with the lowdown on over 50 of his horses in training for the 2025-26 Jumps season, with a number of dark horses plus unraced youngsters discussed in an exclusive interview. Get those Racing TV Trackers ready!

Betano ambasador Olly Murphy at Warren Chase Stables, home to an abundance of exciting prospects for the 2025-26 Jumps season

There's a slight chill in the air as I arrive at Warren Chase Stables, a sure sign that the Jumps season is on the horizon, as well as an air of excitement as Olly Murphy finishes a hectic morning filming with Betano, his new sponsor for the upcoming season.

With a whole host of potential stars, and a number of classy performers, in the yard, it's easy to see why the Murphy team are all smiles as they discuss their hopes and ambitions for the season ahead after watching their string work on the gallops.

Murphy enjoyed a hugely successful campaign last season with 141 winners (39 more than the previous season) and a 25 per cent strike-rate. The red-hot trainer is already off to a flying start this term, too, with 34 winners from 161 runners (21 per cent strike-rate), at the time of writing.

“We have got a nice bunch of horses for this season," says Murphy. "The main job now is to keep them all in one piece, and hopefully there is a superstar amongst them."

After discussing his key players for the coming months, and learning more about his new recruits, a "nice bunch" rather underplays the strength of Murphy's squad for this season.

The chances of reaching 150 winners by April 25 must also be high, but Murphy hopes for more Graded glory this season, and an elusive first Cheltenham Festival winner.

“I’d love to train 150 winners this season, but if you told me I’d train 100 winners and two Grade One winners, I would take that before the 150," he said. "It would also be fantastic to have my first Cheltenham Festival winner this season."

Murphy kindly took the time to discuss over 50 of his horses (sorry, Olly!) for this season, and here's what the 34-year-old had to say.

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ACT OF AUTHORITY

Act Of Authority found only Wodhooh too good in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival

He ran very well in the Martin Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival and things didn’t go to plan for him at Aintree where there was almost a false start, and it was a strangely run race. He could be a horse for the Pertemps Final this season, and I think he’s going to improve when he races over three miles again. He’s certainly capable of winning a nice race this season.

ALNILAM

I’m going to start him off in a two-mile beginners’ chase somewhere. He hasn’t jumped fences yet, but I think he could be a decent chaser. He was unlucky not to win the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso last season but won a big race at Southwell and ran well when a close second in handicaps at Ascot and Wetherby. Hopefully he is still progressing, and I’m looking forward to sending him over fences.

AMERICAN MIKE

American Mike - an exciting new recruit for the Olly Murphy team (Pic: Healy Racing)

I’m really looking forward to him this season. I don’t know him very well yet, but he’s obviously got an attractive profile if we can get him back to the form he showed in his novice days. Gordon [Elliott] said the change of scenery would do him the world of good. He might start off at Haydock in an intermediate chase on Betfair Chase weekend. He’s a brilliant horse to have in the yard.

BARLOVENTO

He is better than he showed last year. He is going to have a soft palate operation and will be a lovely middle-distance chaser this season. He won his novice hurdle well at Carlisle last year before finishing second at Warwick and was disappointing at Leicester.

BOOSTER BOB

He recorded a crazy win at Newbury last season. He might have a prep run somewhere beforehand but will be aimed at the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Memorial Handicap Chase at Newbury. That’s over 2m6f, which should suit him well, and he will probably step up to three miles this season. He races keenly first time out, so I’d be afraid of going up in trip with him straight away. He’s still handicapped to be very competitive.

BUTCH

He burst blood vessels and was only seen twice last season. He’s got so much ability and loves jumping fences. If we can keep him healthy this season, then he’s going to be a Graded chaser. He’s also had a wind op since his last run.

CASTLE IVERS

He’s going to miss the first half of the season as he picked up an injury when he won at Warwick in November. He’s going to need some experience in handicaps when he returns but could develop into a horse for a race such as the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock next year.

CHASING FIRE

Editor's note: This is what Olly Murphy had to say ahead of Chasing Fire's Perth victory in September.

He works the place down on the gallops but, ultimately, he hasn’t achieved what I thought he was going to after running in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. I’m going to step him up in trip this season and stay over hurdles as I don’t think chasing is for him. He could still be a useful three-mile handicap hurdler.

Sean Bowen said on Racing TV after Chasing Fire's Perth success: "Chasing Fire has been quite a frustrating horse because he's got loads and loads of ability but doesn't often show it. But when he does, he's well able. Today seemed to suit him - he was fresh and well, and his jumping was as good as ever. I think he'll stay over hurdles now, as he seems to back off fences for whatever reason, even though he's a big, scopey horse. I always felt like I was going well. Hopefully, he'll come forward from it, and he might be a horse for Cheltenham and Aintree handicaps come the spring."

DIAMONDS FOR LUCK

"He probably is nicely handicapped" - Watch what Sean Bowen had to say on Racing TV after guiding Diamonds For Luck to victory at Taunton last season

He is likely to go chasing at some point, but I think we have some unfinished business with him over hurdles first. He didn’t run in the spring because the ground was too quick, but he’s a horse with a lot of ability. He’s very unexposed and I think he’s a lot better than his rating of 122. I also think he’s absolutely tailor-made for an Imperial Cup. A strong pace over two miles on soft ground, that would really suit him.

DOCTOR KEN

He’s going to stay chasing this season and staying veteran chases are likely to be on the agenda. He has been blighted by small problems but still retains plenty of ability and I thought his run at Kempton first time out last year was very good. He didn’t get a clean run of health for the rest of the season after that.

FINGLE BRIDGE

Fingle Bridge was last seen winning a Listed contest at Exeter in February

I love him. We’re looking forward to sending him chasing this season and he’ll start off in a two-mile beginners’ chase once the ground eases in the Autumn. His aim this season would be the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown. He loves soft ground, and he didn’t run in the Spring this year due to unsuitable ground conditions. He is slightly fragile, but I do think he could be one of our flagbearers this season. He’s got a big engine.

GO DANTE

He’s a horse we are going to step up in trip this season as I do think he wants an extra couple of furlongs. I would love to go back and try and win another Imperial Cup with him if the ground was very soft, but he’s just getting that bit older, and is probably losing a gear. The softer the ground the better he is, so hopefully it’s a wet winter. The Lanzarote Hurdle could also be an option for him this season, but we won’t be aiming him at one target all season as he’s getting on now.

GUNSIGHT RIDGE

I think he would have won when falling at the last at Cheltenham in November, so it was good to see him win at Sandown in February. He’ll run in those good 2m-2m4f handicap chases again this season and might start off in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree, or the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter. He’s another that loves soft ground and goes particularly well at Sandown.

HARBOUR ISLAND

He’s from the family of Binocular and won two bumpers last season. He has loads of ability, although wants minding and will be ridden patiently for his first few runs. He may even wear a hood to begin with, but if he does things the right way, he’s got lots of ability.

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IMAGINARIUM

I think he could win a valuable handicap hurdle this season. He didn’t achieve what I thought he would do last season, but he must go right-handed and could be an Imperial Cup horse in time – it would be great to win that race three years in a row. He relishes soft ground.

INDEEVAR BLEU

I have always thought the world of him, but he’s had a few little issues. He might go to Newbury for the Gerry Feilden.

JAMADA

Watch:Jamada scored at Naas in April before joining Olly Murphy's yard

I like him. He’s a sharp horse who won a bumper in Ireland and will be one of my earlier runners this season. We will start him off in a maiden hurdle and I expect him to win plenty of races.

JUNKER D’ALLIER

He won three novice hurdles last season, but he’s another who I thought would achieve more that he did. He will start off in a two-mile beginners’ chase as soon as the ground eases. He’s also had a wind op.

KAPAL LAYAR

He’s a fine horse who is very progressive. I wouldn’t mind aiming him at the Pertemps Final - he could develop into that type of horse. A rating of 124 could also underestimate him and an intermediate hurdle at Cheltenham’s November meeting over 2m5f is likely to be on his agenda.

KEFIR D’OUDAIRIES

He’s a very unassuming horse and is very straightforward. We will aim him at a maiden hurdle in the autumn, although he probably won’t want the ground too heavy. He’s a nice prospect.

KINGS CHAMPION

He has joined me from Paul Nicholls and finished third in his sole bumper outing at Ffos Las in April. I like him and he has a lovely pedigree. A maiden hurdle will be on the cards for him and he’s a brilliant prospect for owners Neil and Alfie Smith.

KINGSTON PRIDE

Watch: Kingston Pride looked a nice prospect when scoring at Kempton in March

I’m looking forward to sending him over fences. He will return in a 2m4f beginners’ chase in the Autumn, although I don’t think he wants the ground too soft. He looks like he’s got a lot of ability, and a bit of class. I liked what we saw (before purchasing him for £285,000 at the sales) and he’s got an attractive profile being a novice over fences still. I just thought he was a horse that could go up to the next level this season.

LIRION

He ran well in a bumper on debut at Huntingdon for Tom Weston last season. I will probably try and win a bumper with him first and then decide whether he will jump a hurdle or not this season. He’s a horse I love, and so does Sean Bowen who rode him last season, and we subsequently decided to purchase him after his debut.

LONG DRAW

I think he would have run well in the Pertemps Final last season as he loves good ground but, unfortunately, he missed the cut for that race, and the same happened at Aintree. The Pertemps Final is his long-term aim this season and he will head to Cheltenham in October and November for two three-mile handicap hurdles. His owner loves Cheltenham, and Long Draw loves it there, too. He could be fairly treated off a rating of 138 and I think he’s a progressive hurdler. I don’t see any reason why he can’t run well off that mark.

ORDEROFTHEDAY

He never won a bumper last season, which surprised me. He’s a good jumper and a middle-distance maiden hurdle will be his starting point

PIERROT JAGUEN

He’s going to want staying distances and will jump a fence sooner rather than later. Soft ground is ideal for him, and I certainly don’t think we have seen the best of him yet. A big galloping track on slow ground will see him to best effect.

PLEASINGTON

He’s going to be a smashing novice chaser this year. He loves heavy ground and although he lost a shoe when disappointing at Naas in March, he wasn’t himself that day. Maybe he didn’t take to the travelling that well, but that wasn’t his true colours. He’s been given a rating of 128 over hurdles but I’d like to think he will be better than that over fences.

RAMBO T

We will mix it up over hurdles and fences with him again this season. He loves it up in Scotland. He’s been running really well, and he’s very consistent. Hopefully he's set for another fruitful campaign.

RESPLENDENT GREY

He’ll start off at Carlisle in the Colin Parker and will then be aimed at the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. We will see what happens after that, but the Grand National isn’t at the forefront of our minds, at the moment. Aintree is an option, but he’ll run in the Coral Gold Cup, and we will see how we get on there. He potentially has the attributes for a Grand National, but he’s still short on experience. I thought cheekpieces were a big help to him when he won the bet365 Gold Cup, but he probably won’t wear them at Carlisle, and we will re-apply them in the Coral Gold Cup.

ROARING CONQUEST

He has done really well for a summer break. He stays well, enjoys soft ground and is another that could be a useful three-mile handicap hurdler this season. He was highly tried last season and is a decent horse who is in a better place this year compared to last season. Hurdling is the plan, although he may jump a fence in time, too.

ROCCOVANGO

He won four times for us last year but, unfortunately, he’s going to miss the first half of the season as he picked up a little injury at Sandown in February. He’s a lovely three-mile handicap chaser who will qualify for veteran races, and there could be some nice prizes to be won with him when he returns. He’s definitely not badly handicapped off a rating of 125.

STICKTOTHEPLAN

Watch: Sticktotheplan tasted Galway Festival glory when last seen

The Persian War Novices’ Hurdle at Chepstow is his aim. He’s a new recruit to the yard and won a Listed race at Galway when last seen. It looks like he has some strong form next to his name and will hopefully be a horse for some nice races this season. He doesn't want very soft ground, and he’s a chaser for the future, hopefully.

STRONG LEADER

He will either go to Wetherby (for the bet365 Hurdle) and Newbury (Coral Long Distance Hurdle), or just Newbury. I’m undecided yet. If the ground is suitable at Wetherby, I would imagine he will head to Wetherby as well. A flat, left-handed track suits him well, and I just don’t think he likes the undulations at Cheltenham. His record on flat tracks is second to none and I do think he has more to offer. He looks great and fingers crossed for a good year with him. His best years are definitely ahead of him, and I still think he’s as good as there is in the staying hurdle division in Britain.

THE BLUE ROOM

A lovely staying novice hurdler for this season, he’s strengthened up a lot during the summer and is an exciting prospect.

THE FOUR SIXES

He’s another nice prospect for this season. He’s tough and will improve when he steps up in trip again. He may start off over hurdles this season, but we’ve got a bit of unfinished business with him over fences. He loves soft ground and won nicely at Ayr in April (watch above).

THERE RUNS MARY

She’s a lovely mare who ploughs through heavy ground and could be one of my best novice hurdlers this season. Her main target for the season ahead could be the Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, a 2m4f Grade Two contest at Sandown. Hopefully the ground will be soft there.

THUNDER ROCK

He had a fibrillating heart at Ascot at the start of last season, and I never felt he was the same horse for the rest of the season after that. He’s in great form and looks great. We’ll mix it up over hurdles and fences with him this season and he can also run in veterans’ chases in the new year.

WADE OUT

He will probably go over fences this season. We didn't get the best out of him last season and I believe he will improve when he steps up to three miles. He’s a good jumper and has a bright future.

WESTERNINTHEPARK

He could be capable of running well in some decent three-mile handicap chases this season. He stays really well and loves soft ground.

WILSTAR

Wilstar - a potential star? Watch how he scored at Perth in April

He’s a half-brother to Douvan and Jonbon, so his pedigree is very good! He jumps great and won well in a bumper at Perth when last seen, which I thought was a warm race. I can’t wait to start him off in a maiden hurdle in the Autumn.

WOODIE FLASH

He’s been a remarkable little horse for us. He looked like he was an ordinary summer horse, and he’s turned into a nice staying handicap hurdler. I don’t know where he’ll start off yet, but he will be running over a marathon trip somewhere. He stays very, very well.

WOODLAND PARK

He had a little issue after he won at Leicester so only had two runs during his novice season last year. He looks like he has got a nice mark, but he’s got little experience, and slow ground on a big, galloping track will suit him. He is definitely at the right end of the handicap, though.

ZAMEK

He has a similar profile to Kings Champion and was also placed in a bumper on debut plus is another with a nice pedigree. Like Kings Champion, he will also begin his season in a maiden hurdle.

DARK HORSES TO FOLLOW

Kap Boy is a new recruit from Paul Nicholls, and he looks feasibly handicapped based on his bumper form. He’s still a maiden and will be a handicapper to follow. Forward Thinking is a novice who got beat in two bumpers but loves to jump and could be a smart novice hurdler this season.

Jaccours broke a bone in his foot when he ran at Warwick in December and has not been seen since, but he’s rated 115 and the form of his Ffos Las run prior to that worked out extremely well. He’s still a maiden and I just think he’s going to climb up through the ranks this season.

A couple of others to note - Dominic’s Fault is another who could be nicely treated off a rating of 120. I think he can keep improving this season, and Bebe And Bean is among the horses owned by Gordon and Su Hall who have joined us, and is one to look out for.

UNRACED YOUNGSTERS TO NOTE

*Editor's note: Murphy has an abundance of exciting youngsters to unleash this season, and below are just a few names we discussed while I flicked through his 'horses in training' brochure. We could have spent at least another hour or two chatting about his potential stars for the upcoming season! Exciting times ahead for the team.

I have a nice new horse in training called Adonedeal who won well on his sole point-to-point outing. He is the first horse I have trained for the Noel Fehily Racing Syndicate, so we are looking forward to getting to know him this season and hopefully he is a youngster that will develop into a smart performer.

Mister Ursus is a four-year-old who has had three starts on the flat and is owned by the Owners Group. He seems a straightforward horse who will embark on a hurdling career this season.

I also have some lovely young horses owned by Gordon and Su Hall in training including L'unique Allen and Snufflepot. They have both got lovely pedigrees and I'm looking forward to running them this season. Daylatedollarshort won a point-to-point first time out and will be unleashed in a bumper before we decide where to go.

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