Dale Murphy gave himself the perfect 59th birthday present when he saddled his first winner for the season with Bella Bella, who won the day’s co-feature race, the $990,000 Eight Thirty Sprint on Saturday, February 4, 2023.

Bred by Bal A Bali out of the English Channel mare Bee R Bee, the three-year-old chestnut filly Bella Bella came from behind horses to beat long-time leader Kissmet by a short head in the maiden special weight event for native-bred three-year-old fillies over five furlongs (1,000m) straight.

“Never before has this happened, and it’s a great feeling.” I have always wanted my birthday to fall on a race day and for me to win a race at the same time. I am thankful and grateful for it. “It is an amazing feeling, and this day I will cherish for a long time,” Murphy told The Supreme Racing Guide.

Ridden by Christopher Mamdeen, Bella Bella broke behind horses at the start of the race and was well positioned as Kissmet (Anthony Thomas) showed early speed to lead the 11-horse field. Crossing the dummy rails and onto the main track, Bella Bella found top stride and came up to challenge Kissmet for control, but with the latter refusing to give her gallop up, a searing battle developed. Bella Bella eventually won the bob for the win. Princess Ifiyah (Linton Steadman) came home in third place. The final time for the event was 1:02.0.

“We were always confident in the horse [Bella Bella] to get the job done. The victory wasn’t a problem in terms of dreaming because I knew she had worked well and was well and truly prepared, and so we were just waiting for the race tobe run. I heard about Kissmet, and we figured she was the one to beat, and the race finished that way, as we beat her to the line, and we have to give thanks,” Murphy said.

As to her development and progress towards the Classic series of races, Murphy said that Bella Bella should be well on her way.

“Bella Bella has more distance in her. Going five furlongs straight, we knew that she would get there in time, which she did, but she wants to go far. She is bred that way, and the owners are confident in her pedigree, and they told me that we are heading to the classics. “So the longer it goes, the better for her,” he said.

Murphy continued his birthday celebration the following race day (Sunday, February 5, 2023) by posting two winners on the nine-race card.

Murphy’s winners included Ridge Liner, who won the $990,000 Mercury Sprint feature, a maiden special weight event for native-bred three-year-old colts and geldings over five furlongs straight.

Ridge Liner (Dream Liner—Ma Grande), ridden by Shavon Townsend, won the race by 5 1/2 lengths over Truly Begotten Son (Roger Hewitt) and Roaring Thunder (Robert Halledeen) in 1:02.0.

“The jockey rode a perfect race riding to instructions, and the result was a victory. He [Shavon Townsend] worked the horse in the mornings, and so he knew the horse very well, it was an easy ride for him.

“After the last race run by Ridge Liner, where he was placed second, he came back and was enjoying himself in training, looking all improved. He put on some weight as well, so it was no problem for him. I hope he moves on from here and into the Classics,” Murphy hoped.

His other winner was Chitu Prince (Christopher Mamdeen), who made one move to win a three-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($250,000–$200,000) contest that included native-bred six-year-olds and upward (non-winners of three) and imported six-year-olds and upward (non-winners of two) over five furlongs straight.

Chitu Prince won by two and a quarter lengths ahead of Uncle Wal (Roger Hewitt) and Smarty Tradition (Anthony Thomas) in a time of 1:03.4.