Lord Murphy

Lord Murphy
Sire Pat Malloy
Grandsire Lexington
Dam Wenonah
Damsire Captain Elgee
Sex Stallion
Foaled 1876
Country United States
Colour Bay
Breeder J. T. Carter
Owner 1) George W. Darden & Co.
2) James R. Keene
Trainer George Rice
Record 14: 6-5-0
Earnings $11,400
Major wins
Belle Meade Stakes (1879)
Kentucky St. Leger Stakes (1879)
January Stakes (1879)

American Classic Race wins:
Kentucky Derby (1879)
Horse (Equus ferus caballus)

Lord Murphy (1876-? ) was an American thoroughbred racehorse that was bred in Tennessee and is best known for winning the 1879 Kentucky Derby. He was originally named Patmus and was a grandson of Lexington. He descended from the Byerly Turk.[1]

The 5th Kentucky Derby was run on a fast track with a field of nine horses, including the notable racer and future leading sire Falsetto. Lord Murphy was knocked almost to his knees by Ada Glenn on the first turn, but managed to pull himself up from 7th to 1st place at the mile marker to win over the fast approaching Falsetto.[2]

Lord Murphy was bought soon after his Derby win by horseman James R. Keene, who promptly shipped him overseas to the British racing circuit. His arrival was greeted with interest in Britain, as he was "purely American", rather than being bred from relatively recent European exports.[3] Lord Murphy did not race well in Britain,[4] and after four miserable starts, was eventually sold in a British public auction for 10 guineas (around $50).[5]

References

  1. ^ "Lord Murphy information". Everything2.com. 2002-06-21. http://everything2.com/title/Lord%2520Murphy. Retrieved 2011-12-07. 
  2. ^ Lord murphy racing stats
  3. ^ http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=AS18800522.2.9&srpos=2&e=-------10--1----2Lord+Murphy--
  4. ^ NY Times article on trials and tribulations of James R. Keene. May 29, 1908.[1]
  5. ^ "When The Bloom Is Off The Roses", Sports Illustrated, April 28, 1980.[2]