Cercene’s shock Royal Ascot victory ends long wait for Joseph Murphy

• Trainer celebrates first Group One winner with 33-1 shot

• ‘It’s 50 years of work by the family. A lifetime’s ambition’

A lifetime of hope and endeavour enjoyed a glorious reward here on Friday as Joseph Murphy, who is two years short of a half-century with a trainer’s licence, finally added a Group One winner to his record as Cercene, at 33-1, edged out the 6-4 favourite, Zarigana, in the Coronation Stakes, the feature event on day four at Royal Ascot.

“It’s 50 years of work by the family,” Murphy said afterwards. “Going from a small yard, switching from National Hunt to the Flat and always believing, buying horses and believing that they’re going to be good. It’s a lifetime’s ambition to have a Group One winner.”

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