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Horse named in honour of England’s Cricket World Cup win
Olly Murphy is excited to be training Champagnesuperover, a horse named in the wake of England's thrilling Cricket World Cup final success over New Zealand.
It was reserved for the unraced four-year-old son of Jeremy on the British Horseracing Authority website by part-owner Max McNeill's racing manager Iain Turner as England put their name in the trophy in the most dramatic fashion at Lord's.
Murphy only knew about the plan on Sunday evening.
"I didn't have a clue until Iain Turner, Max's racing manager, texted me last night. I had a good giggle. They were sharp anyway," said the Stratford handler.
"I don't know a lot about him except he's from the outfit of Sean Doyle (in Ireland) and has come over with a good reputation and he's a horse I'm looking forward to training.
Champagnesuperover has already made a big impression on his trainer, who hopes to start him off in a bumper in the autumn.
"He's by a good sire in Jeremy and he'll start in a bumper in the autumn and we'll make a plan after that," he said.
"He's up at my place. He's trotting away. He looks well and has done well for a summer at grass. I'm sure he's a horse that is going to win plenty of races and he's certainly got a bit of weight in his shoulders already.
"I watched the end of the match. I love my sport and he's owned by some really good blokes in Max McNeill and the Bryceland brothers, Paddy and Scott.
"I've been lucky for both owners and I'm sure we'll get plenty of craic out of it, win lose or draw.
"This horse was recommended by Sean. He hasn't run yet. He did everything nicely last year and the lads bought him. Hopefully they will have a lot of fun with him."