By Emma Berry, TDN Europe
Cover image courtesy of Coolmore
Clem Murphy, one of the most respected senior members of the Coolmore team in Ireland, has died after a short illness. He was 75.
Described by John Magnier as a man who had “the respect of all”, Murphy's passing on Friday comes as a blow to his many friends and colleagues, both within the close-knit team at Coolmore and in the wider bloodstock world.
Leading the tributes, Magnier said, “We count ourselves extremely lucky to have had Clem with us at Coolmore since the outset. He soon became part of our family and his friendship was treasured by us all.
“We count ourselves extremely lucky to have had Clem with us at Coolmore since the outset. He soon became part of our family and his friendship was treasured by us all.” - John Magnier
“He had an unparalleled knowledge of the global bloodstock market and a great interest in the sport of racing. Firm 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 greatly as will all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Clem had no enemies and the respect of all, a perfect example for us all to follow.”
Demi O'Byrne spoke of Murphy as “a magnificent man”. He continued, “I've been a close friend of his and worked closely with him for 50 years and you would have never had a better companion. He was a very gifted man at his job and we went to endless rugby matches – he had a huge knowledge of rugby. If I was away and came back to Ireland to meet him on a Friday evening in McCarthy's, there was nobody like him.”
A native of County Limerick and a passionate supporter of Munster Rugby and Limerick Hurling, Murphy had a background in finance and was employed by the leading accountancy firm Price Waterhouse prior to his move to Tipperary. His involvement with Coolmore stretches back almost to the operation's origins. He arrived there in 1978 – having been interviewed for the job by Noel O'Callaghan – and has been one of the closest and most trusted allies of John Magnier through the intervening years as Coolmore has expanded its interests across the racing and breeding world.
“It's a dark, dark day for us all 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 everybody. He was different class.”
David Nagle of Barronstown Stud also paid tribute. He said, “I thought the world of Clem and, more importantly, John Magnier thought the world of him. He's been an integral part of Coolmore for close on 50 years. Nothing happened in the horse world in Coolmore without Clem's approval. He was just a very special man. He was a wonderful ambassador and was world-renowned in our business. He was one of those guys who was very level-headed; he was just different. This is a very sad day.”
“...He's (Clem Murphy) been an integral part of Coolmore for close on 50 years. Nothing happened in the horse world in Coolmore without Clem's approval. He was just a very special man.” - David Nagle
Coolmore's David O'Loughlin, who, along with Tom Gaffney, was involved in breeding a number of good horses with Murphy, said, “I've known him for nearly 40 years and he was exactly as he appeared – very sound, smart, a fun guy and very straightforward. He was also very kind and very fair. There was no side to him.
“We'd have some great nights out in Deauville or Newmarket when we were away at the sales and we used to hear some great stories. He was here from the (Robert) Sangster days and would have come though the downs of the 90s when the world collapsed. The syndication of Fusaichi Pegasus would have been one of his big deals. He knew everybody and knew what was going on everywhere. He had unbelievable knowledge of the business side of horses and stallions – how to put together a share and syndicates – he knew all of the angles.”
“He (Clem Murphy) knew everybody and knew what was going on everywhere. He had unbelievable knowledge of the business side of horses and stallions – how to put together a share and syndicates – he knew all of the angles.” - David O'Loughlin
With his great friend Gaffney, Murphy bred the G1 Cheveley Park Stakes winner Wannabe Grand (Ire) (Danehill {USA}) and the pair bred and raced her Group 3-winning half-sister Wannabe Better (Ire) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}), later the dam of G3 Darley Stakes winner Lady Wannabe (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). They also bred the outstanding four-time Group 1 winner Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never {USA}) as well as the G1 Middle Park Stakes runner-up and Group 3 winner Castle Star (Ire) (Starspangledbanner).
“Clem was also involved in the ownership of Atlantic Jewel in Australia,” O'Loughlin added. “He loved all sports and was a big rugby man, but he loved racing in particular. He was really clued into it; he was living the dream.”
A regular figure at all the major bloodstock sales, Murphy represented the ownership triumvirate of Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith on the board of the Breeders' Cup, having also served as chairman of the Breeders' Cup racing and nominations committee.
Clem Murphy and the Coolmore team | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
Rogers Beasley, the former director of sales and racing at Keeneland and now executive vice-president and chief strategy officer for Breeders' Cup, said, “Clem was a great plus for our industry. I knew him for 40 years or so from when I was running Keeneland sales, and also through his work for the Breeders' Cup, and he was always so good to deal with. He did a great job representing the European interests on the Breeders' Cup board.
“He was also a great conduit for the Europeans in general and for the Irish community in Kentucky from a sales viewpoint. He will be sorely missed by so many people in the industry.”
A statement issued by Breeders' Cup Ltd read, “We are deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Clem Murphy, a valued and long-serving member of our board of directors.
“Clem joined our board in 2006 and served with unwavering dedication and passion for 20 years. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in the international growth of the Breeders' Cup World Championships and was instrumental in the expansion to a two-day festival of racing with purses and awards of more than $34 million. As co-chair of the racing and nominations committee, Clem was a driving force behind the expansion of the Breeders' Cup international stallion program and played a key role in incorporating major international races into the Breeders' Cup Challenge: Win & You're In Series.
“Clem's wisdom, insight, strong will, and unwavering commitment to our industry will be deeply missed. He was not only a respected colleague but also a dear friend to many within our organization. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the entire Coolmore team during this difficult time.”
“...He (Clem Murphy) was not only a respected colleague but also a dear friend to many within our organization...” - Breeders Cup
Clem Murphy will be laid to rest in Fethard over the weekend. He is survived by his wife Barbara, children Alix, Lauren, and Michael John (MJ), and his grandchildren, to whom we extend our deepest sympathies.
