I’VE been shouting about the ‘Big O’ for nearly three years now.

And today Oisin Murphy finally gets the ultimate recognition when he is crowned champion jockey. This column has long been predicting a championship title for Murphy and I am delighted that has come true.

The great thing about Murphy is his combination of talent and charisma and that is truly great for this tremendous sport.

One day in the next five years Frankie Dettori will retire. Who will be the person to take over as racing’s showman when Dettori puts his feet up?

The answer is Murphy. The 24-year-old talks about racing like few other jockeys do. He makes breeding interesting for the layman and has become media savvy very quickly.

I have always loved interviewing Murphy on Sky Sports Racing and I think it’s fair to say the public lap up listening to him.

Incidentally, I will chat to him on ITV’s Opening Show this morning. Don’t miss it!

He becomes only the fifth Irishman to be GB champion, following in the hoofprints of the legend Pat Eddery, Kieren Fallon, Richard Hughes and Jamie Spencer.

Murphy’s rise to the top has been quick and decisive.

A native of Killarney, he is a nephew of three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning rider Jim Culloty, of course associated with the great Best Mate.

Murphy was into showjumping, but then he sat on a racehorse aged 14 and was bitten by the bug. Not a huge fan of school, he had to be bribed by Culloty to take his teaching seriously.

It was a case of try hard at school, or don’t expect to be given a chance on a horse.

It was Culloty who suggested Murphy try his luck in Great Britain and in 2013 — his first year as a professional — he rode a 9,260-1 four-timer at Ayr’s Gold Cup fixture, including the main event on Highland Colori.

Murphy gained his first Group success on Hot Streak in the Temple Stakes at Haydock in 2014 and went on to be champion apprentice that season.

In 2016 Murphy became No 1 jockey to Sheikh Fahad’s Qatar Racing and landed ten Group races on ten different horses, including Lightning Spear and Simple Verse.

He then landed the Group 1 Prix de la Foret on Aclaim and Roaring Lion took the Eclipse, International and QEII.

Not always liked when he arrived in the weighing room, Murphy has changed his colleagues’ perception in the same way he has enamoured himself to the general public.

And in case you ever take him out girls, Murphy likes salmon and steak, but don’t expect to be whisked off on an exotic holiday. Four upcoming days in Spain is the only break Murphy can ever remember taking!

He may be no international holidaymaker, but international stardom surely beckons. He is a true champion. Oisin, you did it lad!

Murphy will hope for Group 1 glory at Ascot to crown his great day. He has The Tin Man in the Sprint, Sparkle Roll in the Fillies and Mares, Benbatl in the QEII and Japanese star Deirdre in the Champion Stakes.

The latter gave him his most important success this campaign in the Nassau Stakes, but he got frustrated on the mare in the Irish Champion when boxed in and finishing fast. The ground will be the worry today.

Magical has outstanding claims in what is a substandard Champion Stakes and her stable companion Magna Grecia is a fascinating contender for the QEII.

Aidan O’Brien’s runner has been off since flopping in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, but was really impressive in the Newmarket Guineas.

But the horse I’m most looking forward to goes in the Sprint.

One Master was fantastic in the Foret at Longchamp and she has a cracking each-way chance.

Ascot is live on ITV and ITV4 this afternooon. Enjoy a fabulous afternoon of sport. Yeeehaaa!

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