Clem Murphy, one of the most respected high -ranking members of the Coolmore team in Ireland, died after a compact illness. He was 75 years elderly.
Murphy's death described on Friday by John Magnier as a man who had “respect for everyone” is a blow for his many friends and colleagues, both within the narrow team in Coolmore and in the wider bloodstock world.
Magnier said the tribute and said: “We count very elated that we have had Clem at Coolmore since the beginning. He soon became part of our family and his friendship was estimated by all of us.
“He had an incomparable knowledge of the global bloodstock market and a great interest in racing. Company, but always fair, he was an extraordinarily clear thinker who could always find solutions where others only saw problems. A family man through and through, I will miss him very much like everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. Clem had no enemies and respect for everyone, a perfect example for all of us. “
Demi O'Byrne spoke of Murphy as a “great man”. He continued: “I was a close friend of him and had worked closely with him for 50 years and you never had a better companion. He was a very talented man in his job and we went to endless rugby games – he had a great knowledge of rugby. When I was gone and came back to Ireland to meet him on Friday evening in McCarthy, there was no one like him. “
Murphy comes from the Limerick district and a passionate supporter of Munster Rugby and Limerick Hurling. He had a background in finance and was employed by the leading auditing company Price Waterhouse before moving to Tippery. His commitment to Coolmore almost goes back to the origin of the operation. He arrived there in 1978 – after he was interviewed Noel O'Callaghan for the job – and has been one of John Magnier's closest and most trustworthy allies in recent years, since Coolmore has expanded his interests in the racing and breeding world.
“It's a obscure, obscure day for all of us here,” said another of his close friends, Paul Shanahan. “Clem hired me – he was the one who interviewed me. It was his rule of law for everyone. He was another class. “
David Nagle from Barronstown Stud also paid tribute. He said: “I thought the world of Clem and, which is even more significant, John Magnier thought the world of him. It has been an integral part of Coolmore for 50 years. Nothing happened in the horse world in Coolmore without Clem's consent. He was just a very special man. He was a wonderful ambassador and world -famous in our business. He was one of the boys who were very affected; He was just different. This is a very depressed day. “
Clem Murphy, left, with many of his Coolmore friends and antergins | Tattersalls
The David O'Loughhlin from Coolmor, who, together with Tom Gaffney, breeded a number of good horses with Murphy, said: “I have known him for almost 40 years and he was exactly as he appeared – very vigorous, shrewd, a witty guy and very elementary. He was also very nice and very fair. There was no side to him.
“We would have some great nights in Deauville or Newmarket when we were on sale and we heard some great stories. He was here from here [Robert] Sangster days and would have come through the depths of the 90s when the world collapsed. The syndication of Fusaichi Pegasus would have been one of his massive deals. He knew everyone and knew what was going on everywhere. He had incredible knowledge of the business side of horses and stallions – how to put together a share and syndicates – he knew all angles. “
With his great friend Gaffney, Murphy breeded the G1 Cheveley Park Stakes winner Wannabe Grand (Irish) and the couple breeding and racing their group 3 winners with half-sister Wannabe Better (Irish) (Duke of Marmalade (ire}), later the dam of G3 Darley winner of the washing officers (Camelot {G3 Darley Stakes winner).
“Clem was also involved in the possession of Atlantic Jewel in Australia,” added O'Loughhlin. “He loved all sports and was a massive rugby man, but he particularly loved the race. He was really defined in it; He lived the dream. “
Murphy is a regular personality in all significant bloodstock sales and represented the property of triumvirates from Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith on the board of the Breeder 'Cup.
Rogers Beasley, former director of sales and races at Keeland and now Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of the Breeder 'Cup, said: “Clem was a great plus for our industry. I knew him for about 40 years when I ran Keeneland, and also with his work for the Breeders' Cup, and he was always so good to do. He did a great job to represent the European interests in the Breeders' Cup Board.
“He was also a gigantic pipeline for the Europeans in general and for the Irish Community in Kentucky from sales deals. He will be painfully missing from so many people in the industry. “
In a statement by Breeders' Cup LTD, we are deeply depressed to learn about the death of Clem Murphy, an esteemed and long -time member of our board of directors.
“Clem entered our board in 2006 and served unshakable commitment and passion for 20 years. During his term in office, he played a crucial role in the international growth of the World Cup championships and was largely involved in the expansion to a two-day festival of the race with wallets and prices of more than $ 34 million. As the co-chair of the racing and nomination committee, Clem was a driving force for the expansion of the international stallion program of the BREADER 'Cup and played a key role in the inclusion of the most significant international races in the Breeders' Cup Challenge: Win & You You In series.
“Clems wisdom, insight, powerful will and unshakable commitment to our industry are deeply missing. He was not only a respected colleague, but also a dear friend for many in our organization. In this hard time we extend our sultry condolence to his family, friends and the entire Coolmore team. “
Clem Murphy will be relaxed in Fethard at the weekend. He is survived by his wife Barbara, the children Alix, Lauren and Michael John (MJ) and his grandchildren, to whom we expand our deepest sympathy.
