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Sir Charles Francis Noel Murless (24 March 19109 May 1987) was an English racehorse trainer who one of the most successful of the twentieth century. Murless began his career as a trainer in 1935 at Hambleton Lodge in Yorkshire before moving to Hambleton House after the war, at one time sharing premises with Ryan Price. In 1947, he moved south, first to Beckhampton, Wiltshire (where he was champion trainer in his first season) and then to Warren Place, Newmarket.
Murless had nineteen classic wins in England and two in Ireland. Of these, there were three Epsom Derby wins, with Crepello (1957), St. Paddy (1960) and Royal Palace (1967). He also had an outstanding record in Epsom Oaks, saddling no less than five winners: Carrozza (1957), Petite Etoile (1959), Lupe (1970), Altesse Royale (1971) and Mysterious (1973). His greatest horse was arguably Royal Palace, who preceded his Derby success by winning the 2,000 Guineas, to which he added the Eclipse Stakes and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes the following year.
In 1952 he became manager of Eve Stud, owned by Victor Sassoon, and was the mastermind behind its racing success. Murless purchased the property from Sir Victor's widow in 1970 and named it Woodditton Stud. He continued the practice of standing there, including the top-class racehorses Connaught and Welsh Pageant. The stallion tradition was maintained when the stud was sold to Yong Nam-Seng of Singapore in 1981.
Closeburn was just below the very best sprinters of 1947 and was placed in the Cork and Orrery and July Cup before winning the Stewards Cup under a record weight at the time for a 3-year-old of 8–10. He went on to win the Challenge Stakes in October, then run over 6 furlongs. The Bloodstock Breeders Review of 1947 said of Closeburn "The credit of breeding the winner goes to his young trainer who, at the end of the season, followed Fred Darling as the "Master" of the famous Beckhampton stable".The Bloodstock Breeders Review 1947
Noel Murless trained another three years at Beckhampton but was not entirely happy, according to his biographer Tim Fitzgeorge-Parker.The Guv'nor A Biography of Sir Noel Murless - Tim Fitzgeorge-Parker. Those three years did lead to a second classic winner with Ridge Wood in the 1949 St Leger and the dominance of the sprinting ranks by Abernant, who won the King Stand at Royal Ascot in 1949; July Cup at Newmarket, King George Stakes at Goodwood and Nunthorpe Stakes at York in both 1949 and 1950.
A major owner of horses at Warren Place was Victor Sassoon, whose Eve Stud Noel managed. In 1955 Sassoon sent the yearling Crepello to Warren Place. Crepello was to win the Dewhurst Stakes in 1956 and the Two Thousand Guineas plus the Derby in 1957.
1967 was probably Murless' most successful year as a trainer. Victories included three of the home classics, Eclipse and King George. He was Champion Trainer. A win for the Queen's Hopeful Venture in the Wood Ditton at the Craven meeting was followed by victories in the two traditional 1,000 Guineas trials for Cranberry Sauce in the Nell Gwynn, and Royal Saint in the Fred Darling. Busted, who had been drafted into the stable to lead the classic colts, won the Coronation Stakes over 10f at Sandown in April and was deemed too good to continue as a lead horse. The Two Thousand Guineas was won by Royal Palace, and the following day Fleet was victorious in the One Thousand Guineas. Royal Palace went on to win the Derby whilst Busted won the Eclipse, King George VI Diamond Stakes and Prix Foy before tendon injury prevented an attempt at the Arc. 63 races were won with winning stakes of £279,775.The Guv'nor A Biography of Sir Noel Murless - Tim Fitzgeorge-Parker.
Murless retired in 1976 as trainer of horses and was knighted the following year. His son-in-law, Henry Cecil, took over Warren Place.
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