Ciaran Murphy to take over licence from Dot Love Irish National winning trainer Dot Love is to hand over the licence at her Charlestown Stud yard to long-time assistant Ciaran Murphy in the New Year. Love, who is originally from Denmark but resident in Ireland for many years, enjoyed her finest hour as a trainer when Liberty Counsel caused a 50/1 shock under 5lb claimer Ben Dalton in the 2013 Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse. “The plan is to take over the licence from Dot in the New Year and we just need to sort things out with the IHRB hopefully before Christmas,” said Murphy. “I have been at Charlestown for 25 years and myself and Dot work very much as a partnership. Dot is a fabulous horsewoman with a lot of knowledge and she will still be very much part of the team. She has taught me and my brothers everything.” Murphy, who modestly describes himself as "more of a horseman than a jockey", had a successful career as an amateur rider partnering about 40 winners between the track and point-to-points. His twin brother Joseph represented Ireland in three-day eventing at the London Olympics in 2012, while younger brother Aaron is very much part of the team at Charlestown. “Aaron is basically our head man in the yard and is a huge asset." Charlestown Stud has been the starting point for a lot of star names of the jumping game through their pre-training operation for some of the biggest owners in National Hunt racing. However, events over the past few years have prompted a change of emphasis for the Mullingar yard. “Our pre-training business took a big hit when Gigginstown and Paul and Clare Rooney stopped buying stores. We had up to 80 horses in pre-training and when they decided to stop it left a big hole. “We have decided to give the training operation a bit of a re-boot with some fresh ideas and hope to have more in training and attract some new owners. “Ideally we would like to have about 40 in training split between National Hunt and the Flat and it would be great if we could up the quality of the horses and make a name for ourselves,” said Murphy. “It would be great if Dot could have a winner or two over Christmas. Hopefully Jack Hackett will run well in a handicap chase at Leopardstown and Trevena is another with a chance in a mares handicap hurdle at Limerick.” Love has sent out over 70 winners between National Hunt and Flat in a training career spanning nearly 20 years, and she is currently enjoying her best jumps season with eight winners already on the board. Other jump horses to fly the flag for Love include Grade 2 winner Shadow Eile who won nine races in total, while Dawn Shadow was another smart mare she trained for owner/breeder Sean Reilly winning five times including at Listed level.
