Murphy blames himself for ‘jockey error’ in Kameko reverse

PA Sport Reporters
July 29, 2020 5:15 pm

2000 Guineas winner had luckless run in Sussex showdown.

Oisin Murphy apologised for his “jockey error” as he came to terms with Kameko’s luckless passage in the Qatar Sussex Stakes.

The champion jockey found himself badly short of racing room in the showpiece Group One on day two of Glorious Goodwood – and after finishing a three-and-a-quarter-length fourth, Murphy was left feeling the best horse had not won the race.

While Kameko was boxed in as the race developed in the straight, Marcus Tregoning’s Mohaather produced an electric turn of foot to sweep past the field on the outside for a memorable success under Jim Crowley.

Murphy was positioned behind the front-running Circus Maximus, who went on to finish runner-up in the race for a second successive year.

Mohaather streaks down the outside to win the Qatar Sussex Stakes!
Watch LIVE📺 @ITV 📱 https://t.co/fJXuj4d6h6 pic.twitter.com/cGh1gBz62y

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) July 29, 2020

After failing to find any daylight when he needed it, Kameko still could not get a clear run even when switched out.

Murphy said: “I couldn’t find any room up the straight and I felt like the best horse didn’t win on the day.

“Unfortunately, these things happen sometimes – and it is jockey error. “

He retains great belief in Andrew Balding’s 2000 Guineas winner.

“Kameko jumped very smart,” added Murphy.

“Obviously, I wanted to take a lead and I thought Circus Maximus would make the running.

“I hope then horse is sound in the morning, and he lives to fight another day.

“Apologies to his connections. A lot of hard work goes into preparing these horses, and nobody wants hard-luck stories.

“You saw the way he travelled, and I was full of horse for most of the race.”

Balding too was left ruing Kameko’s misfortune as he reflected on events immediately post-race.

“I have only seen it once with the naked eye, and I would have to watch it again, but he looked unlucky,” said the Kingsclere trainer.

“He has finished on the heels of them, and Oisin was a bit unlucky on him, but it happens round here.”

Irish 2,000 Guineas hero Siskin lost his unbeaten record but finished two lengths ahead of his fellow Classic winner Kameko in third.

Connections feel Siskin (pink cap) still has more to give this season (Steven Cargill/PA)

His trainer Ger Lyons said: “I am delighted with the run – he is the best three-year-old (in the race).

“He came to win his race and he was outstayed by two older horses. There were no excuses – and that is all I asked for coming into the race, that we would have no excuses.

“(Jockey) Colin (Keane) said the ground blunted his speed a bit.

“One thing we have learned is he is a proper miler, and the faster the ground the better. There will be no decisions made (yet), but he probably has Breeders’ Cup written all over him.”

Vatican City, like Circus Maximus trained by Aidan O’Brien, was eased to finish a distant last.

His rider William Buick reported that the colt was struck into, and a post-race examination revealed he had an irregular heartbeat, lost his right-hind shoe and finished lame on that leg.