University of Limerick Alumni Spotlight: Bláithín Murphy
In the latest instalment of our Alumni Spotlight series, we speak to Bláithín Murphy, General Manager of Wincanton Racecourse in Somerset, which is part of the Jokey Club group in the United Kingdom. At only 25 years old, the graduate of UL’s BSc in Equine Science programme recently found herself accepting her dream job, running a racecourse.
Bláithín tells us about her journey from Milltown, County Kerry, to the University of Limerick in 2016, to moving to the UK to pursue a career in the race industry.
Can you tell me a bit about yourself?
I’m from a small village called Milltown, just outside Killarney in County Kerry.
Equine sport, in all its forms, has been a constant throughout my life. As children, we had ponies for show jumping and pony racing, and my love of pony racing carried into adulthood with a passion for Horse Racing. If I’m not racing, I’m watching racing.
Outside of horses, my other interests include watching police shows and my French Bulldog, Merlot.
I live in the town of Frome in Somerset, just outside Bath. It’s a lovely place, and the green rolling hills remind me of Kerry.
Why did you choose Equine Science at UL?
My lifelong interest in horses sparked my initial attraction to the Equine Science degree at the University of Limerick. For my Leaving Certificate, I studied Biology and Agricultural Science, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed, and this naturally led me towards a science-based degree.
I was also aware of several people who had completed the course before me and had gone on to careers I would be very happy to pursue. Combined with my visit to the UL open day, where, coming from a small rural school, I was blown away by the campus. I could clearly picture myself being happy there from that point on.
What did you enjoy most about the course?
Although it was a science degree, there were opportunities to complete business modules, which changed everything for me.
Business-based learning felt very natural, and I found it easy to apply the theory directly to the real-life situations I was already familiar with in the sport. This led me to major in business, and ultimately, I moved away from pursuing a practical science-based career, instead setting my sights on managing a racecourse.
What did you enjoy about UL? What is student life like here?
What I really enjoyed about UL was the campus itself. During my time there, it felt like a bustling community rather than just a place to attend lectures. There was always something happening, whether it was on campus, in student accommodation, or through clubs and societies, which made student life feel very active and social.
I also made wonderful friends at UL, many of whom I lived with throughout my time there. Sharing accommodation, lectures, and everyday student life created strong friendships, and those people remain some of my closest friends today.
The sense of community, combined with the supportive and lively student atmosphere, made my time at UL both enjoyable and memorable.
Were you a member of any clubs and societies? If so, tell us about your experience.
Amusingly, I tried out the kayaking club with two friends from Milltown. None of us were strong swimmers, and we were terrified of the water, so we bowed out of that fairly lively.
Tell me about your own career journey so far.
I probably owe my career to COVID-19. When the pandemic hit in March 2020, my time on campus at UL was cut short, and I had to finish my degree online from Milltown.
That summer, while lockdown was still in full swing, I applied for a role at Watership Down Stud, owned by Andrew Lloyd Webber, just outside Newbury in Berkshire.
During my degree, I had completed a placement with Castlehyde Stud in Fermoy, Co. Cork, so I was confident working with mares and foals, but yearlings were a completely new challenge. I loved it. I also fell in love with the lifestyle in the UK and felt there were more opportunities for me there.
In November, I received the news that I had been accepted for a role with The Jockey Club as a CRM Executive based at Cheltenham. The role focused on email marketing and data management; I couldn’t believe my luck. I had only ever seen Cheltenham on TV, and now I was sitting in the office.
About a month into the role, I met Helen Willis, who at the time was a trainee General Manager on a Jockey Club programme designed to develop people into senior roles. I wanted that opportunity more than anything. Just over a year into my CRM role, I became a Trainee General Manager.
I started at Market Rasen Racecourse before moving on to Cheltenham, Epsom, and Newmarket. Less than a year into my traineeship, an opportunity arose at Wincanton as General Manager. I applied, and in November 2025, at just 25 years old and only ten months into my traineeship, I started in the role, and I’ve been here ever since.
The role is everything I ever dreamed of and more. I feel I make a meaningful impact on British racing and have the chance to work alongside some of the sport’s best minds.
What or who inspired you to pursue a career in the equine field?
The buzz of a racecourse and the excitement of race day really inspired me to pursue a career in racecourse management. I loved observing how much enjoyment people were getting from the experience, and I wanted to be part of creating that for others.
I wanted to manage a team who shared my passion for the sport, who cared about its future, and who wanted to help shape racing into something even better than it is today.
Having grown up around horses and with existing relationships across the racing industry, I saw an opportunity to leverage my experience and connections to make a real impact. The equine world had always been a central part of my life. Combining that passion with a role where I could influence and improve the sport was the perfect fit for me.
How have your studies at UL contributed to your career?
My studies at university were fundamental in shaping my career. The Equine Science degree gave me a deep understanding of horse care, breeding, and management, which provided a strong foundation for working in the racing industry.
At the same time, the business modules I completed allowed me to see how theory could be applied to real-world situations, from managing teams to understanding operational and financial aspects of a racecourse.
The combination of science and business gave me both the technical knowledge and practical skills needed to progress in the industry.
Placements during my degree, including my time at Castlehyde Stud, gave me hands-on experience with horses, while exposure to business operations sparked my interest in management.
Overall, my university experience equipped me with the confidence, knowledge, and connections that allowed me to transition smoothly into a career in racecourse management.
Do you have any advice for other women who might be considering a career in equine science or horse racing?
My advice to women considering a career in equine science or horse racing is simple: go for it and trust yourself.
I’ve never felt that this is an industry dominated by men, in fact, it’s one of the only sports where men and women compete on an equal footing, and the same applies in the corporate side of racing.
Get as much practical experience as you can, build relationships, and be curious about every aspect of the sport. Don’t be afraid to step into leadership roles, your perspective is valuable, and your ideas can genuinely shape the future of racing.
Most importantly, follow what excites you. If you love what you do, it shows, and it will open doors you never imagined.
Are there any lessons or insights you wish you had known when starting your career?
It sounds cliché, but one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to act like you’re already in the role you want. Present yourself in the way you want to be perceived, and grab every opportunity you’re given without hesitation, people shouldn’t have to ask you twice. And above all, never ever be late. Those simple habits make a huge difference in how others see you and how quickly you progress in your career.
Anything else you would like to say that I didn’t ask you about?
I’d just like to add that if anyone is curious about pursuing a career specifically in racecourse management, I’m always happy to share advice or insights. Feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn, I’d be glad to help anyone interested in this side of the sport.
