I was a top jockey who won the Grand National after being sent to prison – these days I just watch the big races on TV

A FORMER top jockey who won the Grand National six years after being sent to prison now watches all the big races at home on his sofa.

But he’s still playing a huge role in forging the careers of champions.

Reuters

Timmy Murphy celebrates winning the Grand National on Comply Or Die – six years after he feared for his life in prison[/caption]

Action Images - Reuters

Murphy also won the Scottish and Irish Nationals but these days helps in the development of top Flat horses, including Rosallion[/caption]

Timmy Murphy conquered Cheltenham with eight Festival wins including the 2008 Ryanair on the legendary Our Vic.

A month later he would go onto give the bookies an ‘absolute stinker’ by winning the world’s most famous race on the heavily-backed Comply Or Die.

The David Pipe-trained runner forged clear from the famous elbow to land a huge public gamble from 11-1 into 7-1.

The result was a hammer blow for bookies, in particular William Hill, who saw £7million profits wiped out.

Then-boss Ralph Topping said: “I watched the race with my trading director and I have never seen a man more nervous.

“He was down on his knees.”

The career-defining win was undoubtedly big for Murphy – but it was a stint in prison that changed the course of his life.

He spent 84 days in the infamous Wormwood Scrubs after being found guilty of indecently assaulting an air stewardess on a flight from Tokyo to Heathrow.

Recalling his time behind bars in 2002, Murphy said: “Big guys pounded on my door, shouting that they were going to stab me.

“I was terrified. I feared for my life. I did not go outside my cell for days until I felt it was safe to do so.

“I could not go out for my dinner. I was petrified.

“I was surviving day by day, minute by minute, trying to find my feet, trying not to get stabbed.

“But prison was the making of me. I regret what I did but I don’t regret paying the penalty for it. I deserved it.

“I guarantee that had I got off with a fine I would not have got the message. I would still be on the booze.

“I would not be here today but for what happened. Prison saved me.”

Murphy, who had more than 1,000 jumps winners, retired from racing altogether aged 43 in 2018.

He has since gone onto work with famed Flat trainer Richard Hannon and been integral in the development of Royal Ascot sensation Rosallion, who won the Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes last week.

Now 49, Murphy, is happy to play a low-key role in the growth of equine superstars.

So much so that he doesn’t go to the big racedays.

Speaking earlier this year ahead of Rosallion’s runner-up finish in the 2000 Guineas, he said: “I won’t be there. I’ll watch him on TV.

“He won’t be running any faster because I’m there.

“It’s different to being a jockey where you turn up on the day, do what you do and enjoy your success.

“But when you’re involved with him day in, day out, it’s pretty satisfying when you see them strut their stuff on the track.”

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