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TOP jockey Oisin Murphy is in pole position to pick up some big rides for the all-conquering O’Brien family.
The three-time champ has been riding out for Aidan O’Brien and his boys Joseph and Donnacha during the off season.
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And he will jet back over to Tipperary for a flying visit when his nine-day careless riding ban, which he picked up at Wolverhampton last month, kicks in on March 11.
Murphy, 28, said: “I’ve got some time off through bans in the next couple of weeks and am going over to have a sit on Porta Fortuna for Donnacha.
“She went close in the Breeders’ Cup and could be a Guineas filly.
“I’ll be riding a few for Donnacha and Joseph this year. We’ve had some luck together and hopefully that will continue.
“It’d be great to pick up some spares for Aidan, too.”
Ryan Moore will, of course, still be the top dog for Aidan when it comes to riding Ballydoyle’s big guns. But there will be plenty of nice rides up for grabs this summer.
Frankie Dettori has ridden some big winners for the Coolmore team in recent years but he is out of the picture for now, having moved to California.
And Wathnan Racing’s James Doyle will link up with Roger Varian this summer – meaning Murphy will benefit from some of the available spares at Ballydoyle.
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Aside from Aidan’s superstars, his lads Joseph and Donnacha have also built up powerful teams and are keen to use the three-time British champion, having valued his input on their runners on the gallops this winter.
News of Murphy’s growing links with the O’Brien’s comes amid an apparent split between Aidan and Seamie Heffernan.
The veteran jockey, 51, has ridden for O’Brien since 1996 but no longer appears to be in the legendary trainer’s circle of trust.
He was not one of the riders called on to take part in a recent workout of Aidan’s huge team at Dundalk.
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