January 24 - For British National Hunt jockey, Timmy Murphy, his win aboard Wizard of Edge in this week's Shoreditch Handicap Chase at Taunton will be a moment he'll no doubt remember for the rest of his life, as it marked his impressive 1000th British National Hunt victory.

The milestone must have come as a huge relief to the jockey who had been stuck on 998 since New Year's Day. But that all changed at Taunton when he notched up his 999th win aboard Ghizao in the Thurlbear Novices' Hurdle (Div 1) before winning the Shoreditch two hours later.

Said the humbled 35-year-old Murphy, 'It's nice to get that in the bag as I thought I was going backwards at one stage. The weather hasn't made much difference as I am better fresh and have a spring in my step.' The jockey rides for prominent UK racehorse owner, David Johnson.

Said Johnson on Murphy's achievement, 'He's a good jockey, there is no doubt about that. You don't ride 1000 winners without being retained by a big yard if you are not doing something right. He doesn't have a Paul Nicholls or a David Pipe or Alan King or Nicky Henderson behind him. He's done it on modest outside mounts, which is a credit to him.

'I think Timmy is an unsung hero,' continued Johnson. 'I know he has had his problems, but at his best he is the equal of anybody really, it is just a shame he doesn't get enough outside rides.'

But it has not always been plain-sailing for the Irishman. A few years ago he landed himself in jail following a drunken episode during a flight to Japan. However, he reformed himself and went on to win the coveted 2008 Grand National aboard Comply or Die for owner David Johnson.

Said Murphy, 'I have no plans to retire. While I'm riding horses such as Diamond Harry, Well Chief and Starluck, I?ll keep going.'