Gulfstream names Murphy

Gulfstream Park has named Bill Murphy as its new vice president and general manager of racing operations. The announcement was made Tuesday by Don Amos, president and chief operating officer of Magna Entertainment Corp., which owns Gulfstream.

Murphy, 55, has been vice president and general manager of Thistledown since 1997. He will continue to oversee operations at Thistledown, another Magna track, along with his new duties at Gulfstream, since the two meets do not conflict.

Murphy is a 35-year veteran of the Thoroughbred racing industry, having started his career as a hotwalker and groom before being named track superintendent at Hialeah Park in 1979. Murphy has also worked as director of operations at Detroit Race Course and on the track crew and starting gate at both Washington Park and Balmoral Park in Illinois.