Meet the team

Assistant Trainer – Lemos De Souza

A champion apprentice in his native Brazil, Lemos soon looked to further his experiences in pastures new. Taking up post with Luca Cumani in Newmarket enabled Lemos to travel the world gaining racing experience in Dubai, Australia, Japan and America. Eight years after arriving in Great Britain he has become one of the very best work riders around and will be trusted with all gallops and stalls preparation. His expertise and knowledge ensures Lemos is an integral part of the team.

Fun Fact: If Lemos were not a jockey he would have liked to of been a farmer.

Favourite Horse: Mercian Prince

Favourite Race of the Year: The Cesarewitch Handicap

Assistant Trainer - Alex French

Alex joins us having been pupil assistant to David Simcock, as our new assistant trainer. Having learnt to ride at the age 3 on his Shetland pony Tiny, Alex had a successful pony-racing career before becoming an amateur jockey and helping set up the family stud. Alex then went on to complete the National Stud Diploma in Newmarket before heading out to do a stud season in Australia. Alex worked at Arrowfield Stud and also rode out for Paul Messara. Alex plans on becoming a trainer in the future and is excited to join the team for the upcoming jump season.

Favourite Horse: Roaring Fury

Favourite Racing Moment of all time:Frosty Berry winning further flight at Nottingham.

Traveling Head Lad - Seamus O’Flaherty

Seamus previously worked in Ireland, a graduate from RACE, he rode as an exercise rider for Jim Bolger before achieving an apprenticeship with The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association, where he rode for Tracy Collins as part of a placement scheme for the best part of the year. Seamus then made the move to England, where he spent nearly 3 years as an exercise rider to Luca Cumani, working alongside Amy. He joined the Amy Murphy Racing team as Travelling Head Lad in 2017 and to date has racked up a total mileage of 75,000 miles in the company horsebox alone. Seamus is a competent work rider and a greatly valued member of our team.

Favourite Horse: Another vote for Mercian Prince!

Fun Fact: Seamus boasts he can ride a unicycle but we are yet to test this theory.

Favourite Race of the Year: The Grand National

Office Assistant – Shannon Bishop

Shannon joins us on a placement year from Aston University, Birmingham where she studies Business and Politics BSc, and hopes to pursue a career in Bloodstock Insurance. Having lived local to Newmarket and ridden all of her life, Shannon has always admired racing from afar and jumped at the chance to learn about the sport right from its core. Shannon comes from a showing background, having competed in county level horse shows up and down the country, chasing Horse of the Year Show tickets for many years, with other highlights including qualifying & riding at the Royal International Horse Show twice. She is currently making the move to eventing.

Favourite Horses: Disciple & Well Smitten

If Shannon bought a racehorse she would call it: The Peaky Blinder

Jump Jockey – Jack Quinlan

Jack needs little to no introduction to those who follow the National Hunt scene. With wins including the Sheffield Greyhound Stadium Mares’ Chase and Europe’s most valuable handicap hurdle; the Betfair Hurdle Grade 3 Handicap, to name a few. Jack describes his role at Amy Murphy Racing as ‘Number 1 Trotting Jockey’, dog walker and ‘meer passenger’ to the weapon known as Kalashnikov. He joined the ranks when Amy was just starting out and has been riding since just 3 years of age. Having a former trainer as a father, Jack has always been around racehorses and was often used as he describes as’ cheap labour’. He started his racing career in pony racing and after 3 successful years stepped up to point to pointing before he then made the move to become a conditional jockey for John Ferguson. To this day Jack has ridden over 80 winners and counting, with the best of his career still ahead of him.

Favourite Horse: Mercian Prince

Fun Fact: If Jack was not a jockey he would liked to have been a teacher at the British Racing School.

Favourite Racing Moment of All Time: Kalashnikovs 2018 Betfair Hurdle Win (For obvious reasons!).

Conditional Jockey – Eddie Edge

Eddie joined us with almost half a decade of racing experience already under his belt. A British Racing School graduate, Eddie achieved his pony levels which earnt him a position at Ed Dunlop’s Training Establishment along side Ella, which played home to him for three and a half years. Before joining our ranks he made the move to Ireland where he worked a season for Gordon Elliot riding out such pedigrees as 2018 Grand National Winner Tiger roll. In March 2019 Eddie achieved his Conditional Jockey Licence at the British Racing School and we look forward to watching his successes unfold.

Favourite Horse: Just Later

Fun Fact: Eddie has black belts in 3 different forms of Martial Arts.

Favourite Racing Moment of All Time: Frankie Dettori’s Big 7.

Work Rider - Annie James

Annie came to us in late 2016 straight from the British Racing School, and was keen to learn and grow in her chosen career. With an already successful background in ponies, Annie had achieved junior unaffiliated dressage champion 2016 and qualified for national “Horseware” hunter trails 2016 and quickly transferred her riding skills to racehorses. Annie has become a bold and courageous rider who aspires to progress to a Head Girl or Traveling Head Lass Position (A scary thought for someone who currently struggles to reverse her Citroen C1!)

Annie says her favourite racing moment is when ‘Blessed to Empress’ enters the stalls!

Favourite Horse: Blessed to Empress

Favourite race of the Year: The Champion Chase

Favourite Stallion: Havana Gold

Work Rider - Ella Gresty

Ella comes from a horsey background having ponies as a child, before starting her career she studied hard for her A levels. Ella’s career in racing began at Ed Dunlop’s training establishment, where she rode for 2 years prior to joining the team in 2017, she is an excellent rider and another asset to the team. Ella’s infectious smile brightens everyone’s day.

Favourite Horse: Mercian King

If Ella bought a racehorse she would call it: ‘Boris the Animal’.

Work Rider – Eve Williamson

Eve learnt to ride in her hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana on hunters and jumpers and adapted her style to racehorses at the British Racing School alongside Connor. Since making the big move across the pond, Eve has become a fundamental part of our growing team. She’s become quite attached to her new home in Newmarket but still misses her dogs Fuscha & Lenny back home.

Fun Fact: If Eve was not in racing she says she would have chosen a career in nursing.

Favourite Horse: Islay Mist

Favourite Stallion: Galileo

Yardman – Connor Fox

Connor grew up in the countryside surrounded by horses but didn't become involved in them until he attended the 2000 Guineas Festival in 2017, where he quickly fell in love with the sport of horseracing. He graduated from the BRS with a level 1 certificate in horse care and a Level 3 certificate in Racehorse transport earlier this year and is currently working to achieve his Level 2 in racehorse care and hopes to go on to achieve his level 3 soon after, with the long term aim of becoming a pupil assistant.

When asked what he would do if he wasn't in racing, Connor replied ‘Competitive eating all day long’ but longed to be a Power Ranger from an early age.

Favourite Horse: Espirit De Baileys

If Connor bought a racehorse he would you call it: NotAnotherHorse

Yard Staff - Jemma

Having come from a showjumping and livery background, this is Jemma's first job within the horseracing industry. Rumour has it that she saw our very own Connor Fox on ITV Racing and knew instantly that Southgate Stables was the place to be. We are not sure how true this is, but if so, then we must say a big thank you to Connor as Jemma has already proved to be an invaluable member of the team.

Favourite Moment In Racing (So Far): Watching Kalashnikov win at Aintree

Favourite Horse: Trouser The Cash