Sammy Murphy takes the Q&A ahead of the Derby Sale

The Newry based consignor will offer Stores next week with Grade 1 winners on their pages. Among her draft next week is a son of Crystal Ocean out of the dual Grade 1 winner Petite Parisienne.

Where does the name Stone Lodge Stud originate from?

We are located just outside Newry and built the yard ourselves from scratch. We had to get a rock hammer in and remove masses of stone. We built stone walls everywhere. The amount of stone around the place meant we were left with no option than to call the place Stone Lodge Stud.

You are originally from the UK. What brought you to Ireland?

I met my husband in the UK initially, and you could say he is the reason I’m now living here.

How did you go down the route of consigning Stores?

I’m from a showing and hunting background. There’s a strong equine presence in the Newry region with lots of trainers and breeders. I rode out for Sarah Dawson and Jerry Cosgrave initially. I knew riding horses was not a long-term option, and I was adamant that I wanted to do something on my own. I also recognised that training is a tough profession to break into and make your mark, so it was a matter of trying to find something that complimented my skillset.

You consign for a number of different clients. At what point do they come to you?

Some clients send them to me as yearlings after buying them as foals. I get some education into them and don’t see them again until they are three-year-olds. Others send them as foals, and other clients might not send them to me until they are three-year-olds. I like to get them in the yard for a couple of weeks prior to the sales prep work commencing. It helps them acclimatize to their new surroundings and with the transition into sales prep.

My job is to nurture and prepare them to be at their optimum as three-year-old Stores. Most of my clients are National Hunt breeders or foal purchasers that are in the business of pinhooking.

I love the process and relish the challenge of preparing young horses. A lot of hard work and graft goes into getting them to the point of looking their very best, and appealing to potential purchasers.

I get massive satisfaction in watching them develop through their initial years. They could arrive here at Stone Lodge Stud with the mare, so I wean them and then they go through the whole process with the end goal to produce them for the Store sales.

Let’s Go Champ was the first horse I ever prepped. He was sold at the Derby Sale for €90,000, and that gave me the confidence and belief in myself that I could do this job to a high level. I remember the day he won his four-year-old maiden on debut for Donnchadh Doyle, and the pride and satisfaction it gave me to think I played a part in this horse getting to that level. He then sold ten days later for £375,000.

What does a normal day look like for you?

Nothing fancy ! It’s just my husband and I. He is a full-time plumber as well. We start at 5am every morning. We feed and muck out, and after that I just get on with lunging, taking them on and off the walker, long reigning them, getting them used to tack. I try to let them in and out of the field as much as possible during their prep. I want them to enjoy being a horse while they are young.

What is the most enjoyable aspect to your job?

Without a doubt seeing them succeed on the racecourse. This is also important from a business perspective because you build a rapport and trust with purchasers, and they tend to look at what we are offering when they are in the market to purchase next time.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

It can be tough to keep everyone happy, but I suppose it’s no different to most jobs. Another challenge is to keep the horses sound, as there’s a lot for them to do in a short period of time.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I’m a bit of an adrenalin junkie. I used to race motocross, which is off-road motorcycle racing. I struggle to find the time to get out on the bike as much anymore, but when I do, I absolutely love it. I have a 19-month-old boy and I’m expecting a baby in September so it might be a while before I’m back on it! My toddler is mad for ponies, and my spare time is now tipping about with him, and he is crazy for it.

If you achieve one thing what would it be?

I have a couple of broodmares, and I would love to breed a Group 1 winner.

Tell me about your Derby Sale draft?

My first lot through the ring will be a Walk In The Park gelding (Lot 75) out of a half-sister to the Coral Cup winner Bleu Berry. He has plenty size but he is light on his feet. He is a standout model.

A son of Soldier of Fortune (Lot 160) and is racy individual. He has an excellent pedigree with his dam being out of Grade 1 winner Kates Charm, and a half-sister to black type mare Dancingwithbubbles, who is the dam of Grade 1 winner Captain Teague and Cheltenham Festival winner Sky Pirate.

The third horse will sell on Thursday and he’s a son of Crystal Ocean (Lot 334) out of the dual Grade 1 winner Petite Parisienne. The sire is doing very well, and his colouring is unusual as he’s a roan colour. He has everything, with movement and a gorgeous big head. I’d be confident we will be very busy with him given page and his physical conformation.

A son of Maxios (Lot 468) is my sole offering in Derby Sale Part II. He is quite striking and is the type that will catch peoples eye around the complex. His page is light, but he has size, great movement and as an individual he will stand out.