- For the New Zealand cricketer, see: John Murtagh
Johnny Murtagh (born Navan, County Meath, May 14, 1970) is an Irish flat racing jockey. Image File history File links Acap. ...
This article is about the sport. ...
John Richard Murtagh (born on 21 July 1967 in Canterbury, New Zealand) is a former cricketer. ...
WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 53. ...
Statistics Province: Leinster County Town: Navan Code: MH Area: 2,342 km² Population (2006) 162,831 Website: www. ...
is the 134th day of the year (135th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...
Flat racing is a term commonly used in the United Kingdom to denote a form of horse-racing which is run over a predetermined distance and in which the horses are not required to jump over obstacles such as hurdles or fences as in National Hunt racing. ...
The racecourse in Chester. ...
Background A promising footballer when he was younger Johnny wanted to join Blackburn Rovers F.C. but was instead talked by friends into joining the Irish Apprentice Jockey's School in County Kildare. Soccer redirects here. ...
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. ...
Statistics Province: Leinster County Town: Naas Code: KE Area: 1,693 km² Population (2006) 186,075 Website: www. ...
He is one of the world's top jockeys and was appointed as the Coolmore operation's number one jockey in 2008. He excels on the big occasion having won the Epsom Derby three times, the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes twice and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. This is all the more impressive as he cannot naturally meet the flat jockey's weight and has to spend the season very underweight. He has been granted a National Hunt licence, which has enabled him to ride in Hurdle races occasionally which he enjoys as he is able to get closer to his natural weight. Epsom Derby, Théodore Géricault, 1821. ...
National Hunt racing is the name given to the sport of horse racing in the United Kingdom and Ireland where the horses are required to jump over obstacles called hurdles or fences (except in the case of a bumper). The core of the National Hunt season is over the winter...
1987 - 1999 He was apprenticed to trainer John Oxx and rode his first winner on Chicago Style at Limerick in July 1987. He became champion apprentice in 1989 and enjoyed a steady rise in profile until 1992 when he lost his position with trainer John Oxx after being cautioned over allegations he tried to cheat at the scales. He went into a steep decline, and spent time out of the sport. John M. Oxx is a well known Irish horse trainer. ...
But Murtagh bounced back, and with the renewed support of Oxx and owner-breeder, the Aga Khan, was Irish champion jockey in 1995, 1996 and 1998. KarÄ«m al-HussaynÄ«, Ä€gÄ KhÄn IV KBE CC GCC (Arabic: سمو الأمیر Ø´Ø§Û Ú©Ø±ÛŒÙ… الØسیني آغا خان الرابع) (born December 13, 1936) is the current (49th) ImÄm of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims. ...
In 1995 he achieved his first group successes when he and his first world-class mount, Ridgewood Pearl, trained by John Oxx, triumphed in the Coronation Cup at Ascot, the Prix Moulin at Longchamp and the Breeders' Cup Mile at Belmont Park to crown her as the champion miler of 1995. Their only reverse came in the QEII where she could not keep up with Bahri. (He also unfortunately missed out on her classic success in the Irish 1000 Guineas as he was required to ride the Aga Khan's runner, Khaytada, to third.) He slso rode the Oxx and Aga Khan filly Timarida to brilliant victories at the Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp Racecourse and in the E. P. Taylor Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack, Canada. The Breeders Cup Mile is a 1-mile Grade 1 Weight for Age stakes race for thoroughbred racehorses three years old and up run annually since 1984 at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders Cup. ...
Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in the hamlet of Elmont, New York in Nassau County on Long Island (just outside of New York City). ...
The Prix de lOpéra is a Group 1 flat horse race in France for three-year-old and above thoroughbred fillies and mares run over a distance of 2,000 metres (approximately 1 mile 2 furlongs) at Longchamp Racecourse during the Prix de lArc de Triomphe meeting...
The Longchamp Racecourse (French: ) is a 57 hectare horse-racing facility located on the Route des Tribunes in the Bois de Boulogne at Paris, France. ...
The E. P. Taylor Stakes is a Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares held annually since 1956 in October at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada run on grass at a distance of 1 ¼ miles. ...
Woodbine Racetrack in the northwestern suburb of Rexdale in Toronto, Ontario is the only horseracing track in North America which stages, or is capable of staging, thoroughbred and standardbred horseracing programs on the same day. ...
In 1996 he was the regular partner of two more of Oxx's star fillies, Timarida again and also Key Change. His group 1 wins were the Yorkshire Oaks with Key Change, and the Irish Champion Stakes, Beverly D. Stakes and Bayerisches Zuchtrennen with Timarida who in her 4-year-old season competed and won at the highest level against colts. The Yorkshire Oaks is a Group 1 United Kingdom flat racing horse race for those horses aged three years and above run over a distance of 1 mile 3 furlongs and 198 yards at York Racecourse during August. ...
The Irish Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in the Republic of Ireland for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. ...
The Beverly D. Stakes is a Grade 1 flat horse race in the United States for thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three-years-old and upward. ...
The Bayerisches Zuchtrennen is a Group 1 flat horse race in Germany for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds run over a distance of 2,000 metres (approximately 1 mile 2 furlongs) at Munich Racecourse, Munich in late July / early August. ...
Over the next two years he monopolised the Irish Oaks aboard unfancied Oxx trained Ebadiyla in 1997 and Winona in 1998. The Irish Oaks is a Group 1 flat horse race in the Republic of Ireland for three-year-old thoroughbred fillies run over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs (2,414 metres) at the Curragh in July. ...
The Murtagh and Oxx team ended the 1999 season with two group 1 wins, the Ascot Gold Cup with Enzeli and the Irish National Stakes with Sinndar. The Ascot Gold Cup, 1834 by James Pollard The Ascot Gold Cup is a Group 1 United Kingdom flat racing horse race for four year old and above horses run over a distance of 2 miles 4 furlongs at Ascot Racecourse during June. ...
The National Stakes is a Group 1 flat racing horse race for two year old colts and fillies run over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 m) at The Curragh racecourse in Ireland during September. ...
Sinndar, (born 1997) is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse owned and bred by HH Aga Khan IV, and trained by John Oxx. ...
2000 - 2004 The following year Sinndar went on to give him his first victory in the Epsom Derby which was also Ireland's first win in 16 runnings. This classic win was followed up by a repeat performance in the Irish Derby. At Royal Ascot he partnered the Richard Fahey trained outsider Superior Premium to a 20/1 success in the Cork and Orrery Stakes (now the Golden Jubilee Stakes). Murtagh's services were in demand more than ever for the rest of 2000, especially after Kieren Fallon was injured at Royal Ascot and Sir Michael Stoute needed an able deputy for his Newmarket stable. Murtagh won eight Group 1 races for Stoute. He tasted further glory in the Irish Oaks aboard Petrushka and at the Yorkshire Oaks Petrushka reversed the tables with Epsom conqueror Love Divine. He partnered Greek Dance, out of the remarkable Darshaan mare Hellenic, to victory in one of Germany's biggest races, the Bayerisches Zuchtrennen and runner up behind the great Giant's Causeway in one of Ireland's biggest races, the Irish Champion Stakes. Epsom Derby, Théodore Géricault, 1821. ...
The Irish Derby is a Group 1 flat horse race in the Republic of Ireland for three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies run over a distance of 1 mile 4 furlongs (2,414 metres) at the Curragh, County Kildare in late June / early July. ...
Kieren Fallon (born February 22, 1965) in Crusheen, County Clare Ireland is a flat racing jockey and has been United Kingdom champion jockey six times. ...
Ascot Racecourse is a racecourse, located in the village of Ascot in the English county of Berkshire used for thoroughbred horse racing. ...
Sir Michael Ronald Stoute (b. ...
His greatest day came at Longchamp in October when he completed a Group 1 treble, winning the Prix de l'Opera on Petrushka, the Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp on Namid and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Sinndar. Thus Sinndar became the first and so far only horse to win the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby Stakes and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in the same year. Murtagh finished the year with more glory on the Stoute trained and Agha Khan owned Kalanisi at the Champion Stakes holding off a surge from the great Montjeu and at the Breeders' Cup Turf in Churchill Downs where the colt again triumphed over an international class field. He also enjoyed juvenile success with Dilshan in the Racing Post at Doncaster but the colt was to disappoint at the following year's Derby. He rounded off 2000 with two great rides in Hong Kong's biggest races by partnering Greek Dance to a second place in the Hong Kong Cup over 10 furlongs and Daliapour (Agha Khan owned), last year's Derby runner up, to victory in the Hong Kong Vase over 12 furlongs. The Prix de lAbbaye de Longchamp is a Group 1 flat horse race in France for two-year-old and above thoroughbreds run over a distance of 1,000 metres (approximately 5 furlongs) at Longchamp Racecourse during the Prix de lArc de Triomphe meeting in early October. ...
Races at Lonchamp - Édouard Manet, 1867 The Prix de LArc de Triomphe is a flat thoroughbred horse race of a 2400 metres (about 1 mile 4 furlongs) raced on turf for 3 year olds and up, Colts, horses, Fillies and mares (exclude geldings). ...
The Champion Stakes is a Group 1 United Kingdom flat racing horse race for those horses aged three years and above run over a distance of 1 mile 2 furlongs at Newmarket Racecourse during October. ...
The Breeders Cup Turf is a Thoroughbred horse race on turf for 3 years old and up. ...
In all he finished the season with an incredible tally of 12 worldwide Group 1 wins; including 8 for trainer Michael Stoute and 6 for owner Agha Khan. (Retrospectively 13 as the Cork and Orrery Stakes is now a group 1 as the Golden Jubilee Stakes)
He could manage "only" three group 1 winners in 2001, on the Aidan O'Brien trained Black Minnaloushe in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and the St. James's Palace Stakes, and Mark Johnston trained Royal Rebel in the Ascot Gold Cup. The Irish 2,000 Guineas is a Group 1 flat horse race in the Republic of Ireland for three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. ...
The St. ...
The year 2002 started well for the affable Irishman, with classic wins aboard Rock of Gibraltar in the English 2,000 Guineas and High Chaparral in the Epsom Derby relegating Mick Kinane on board the more fancied Hawk Wing to second in both races. He also repeated his Ascot Gold Cup triumph on Royal Rebel. But he lost out to Mick Kinane in a very tight battle for the Irish jockeys' championship which went to the last day of the season and also missed out to the same jockey on the Rock and High Chaparral's further wins that season. For the racehorse of the same name, see Rock of Gibraltar (horse). ...
High Chaparral is a racehorse, winner of the Epsom Derby in 2002, and the winner of the Breeders Cup Turf in 2002 & 2003 (albeit dead-heating in the latter). ...
Michael Kinane (born June 22, 1959 at Killenaule in County Tipperary, Ireland) is a flat racing jockey. ...
His flagbearer in 2003 was Alamshar, who won the Irish Derby and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes under the same Sinndar combination of John Oxx and the Aga Khan. In the former Johnny was able to employ Alamshar's stamina to take the race from the Aga Khan's more fancied Dalakhani while in a high class King George Alamshar accelerated well clear of the field of older horses and also Kris Kin who had defeated Alamshar in the Epsom Derby for a convincing win. Murtagh also partnered the Aussie speedster Choisir to an incredible Ascot sprint double in the King's Stand Stakes and the Golden Jubilee Stakes but dropped a bombshell at the end of the season when he announced that he would be splitting from Oxx because of ongoing problems with his weight. The King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. ...
The Kings Stand Stakes is a Group 2 United Kingdom flat racing horse race for three year old and above horses run over a distance of 5 furlongs (1006 m) at Ascot Racecourse during June. ...
The Golden Jubilee Stakes is a Group 1 United Kingdom flat racing horse race for horses three years old and above run over a distance of 6 furlongs at Ascot Racecourse during June. ...
He began riding freelance and spent much of 2004 in England, initially based with David Loder but then teaming up in particular with James Fanshawe. This association brought four group 1 wins on two more super fillies with Soviet Song in the Falmouth Stakes beating Attraction, beating the colts including Refuse to Bend in the Sussex Stakes and confirming the form with Attraction in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown. While he partnered Frizzante to a tremendous late surge in beating a world class field in the 6f sprint July Cup at Newmarket. He ended the year with a creditable 74 winners in the British jockeys' championship. James Fanshawe is a racehorse trainer who trains at Pegasus Stables in Newmarket. ...
Soviet Song (IRE) is a racehorse bred and owned by Elite Racing Club. ...
2005 - 2007 At the start of the 2005 Flat Racing Season, Johnny became attached to Curragh trainer Michael Halford while continuing to ride for a wide variety of other trainers and once again he enjoyed a fine season. Halford ended up the year with 54 winners, his biggest total of flat winners in a season with Murtagh winning the likes of the Waterford Testimonial Stakes at the Curragh on Miss Sally and the Leopardstown November Handicap on Golden Cross while he also rode several good winners for other trainers. Harry Rogers’ Moon Unit won the Woodlands Stakes at Naas and the Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh, Jessica Harrington’s Sahara Princess won the Blue Square Stakes while other notable winners came on Edward Lynam’s Jioconda in the Silken Gilder Stakes at the Curragh and on Noel Meade’s Sugarhoneybaby in the Knockaire Stakes at Leopardstown. However, the highlight of the 2005 season was undoubtedly his fantastic victory on the Michael Bell trained Motivator in the Epsom Derby while earlier he landed the Dante Stakes at York on the same horse. Soviet Song added another Group 1 success in the Falmouth Stakes, but Murtagh's campaign was blighted by a 21-day suspension picked up for punching fellow jockey Pat Smullen following a race at Leopardstown in August. He also split with Fanshawe. Motivator is a race horse foaled on February 22, 2002, winner of the 2005 Epsom Derby. ...
The Dante Stakes is a Group 2 United Kingdom flat racing horse race for three years old horses run over a distance of 1 mile 2 furlongs and 88 yards (2,092 m) at York Racecourse during May. ...
The Falmouth Stakes is a Group 1 United Kingdom flat racing horse race for three year old fillies run over a distance of 1 mile at Newmarket Racecourse during July. ...
Towards the end of 2005, Johnny decided to try his luck over hurdles and he notched up four victories from just a handful of rides with his win on Golden Cross in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan the most notable. At Cheltenham in March, he almost pulled off a famous victory on the same horse in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle but the combination went down by a head in a thrilling finish with My Way De Solzen after a ding-dong battle from the final flight. The World Hurdle is a United Kingdom National Hunt horse race for four-year-old and above horses run over a distance of 3 miles at Cheltenham Racecourse during the Cheltenham Festival in March. ...
In early 2006, it was announced that Meath trainer Ger Lyons would have second claim on Johnny and that partnership worked well with Murtagh riding 18 winners for the stable during the season which included victory on the stable's An Tadh in the Ballycorus Stakes at Leopardstown in June which was the trainer's first ever Group winner. He enjoyed big race victories on Michael Halford's Quinmaster, who won both the old McDonogh Handicap at the Galway Festival and the Irish Cambridgeshire at the Curragh, while other notable successes came on the same stable's Newgate Lodge who took the €100,000 Sportsmans Challenge 2-Y-O Race at the Curragh on Shelbourne Hotel Goffs Million Day while he also struck up a fine partnership with Noel Meade's Arch Rebel on whom he landed the Alleged Stakes at the Curragh and both the Amethyst Stakes and the Trigo Stakes at Leopardstown later in the season. He continued his Epsom heroics with a great ride in the Derby to take third on board a battling performance from the unheralded Dylan Thomas who then relegated him to the runner up position aboard the Andre Fabre trained Gentlewave at the Irish Derby. He ended up with a fine tally of 71 domestic winners which helped him to finish in third place behind the new Champion Jockey, Declan McDonogh. Dylan Thomas (foaled April 23, 2003 in Ireland) is a Thoroughbred racehorse. ...
Johnny started the 2007 season with a bang at the Curragh in March 2007 completing a big race treble at odds of 880/1 on Ardbrae Lady, Deauville Vision and Little White Lie. He repeated his Curragh heroics in May with a strong ride on Notnowcato to hold off Ballydoyle's Dylan Thomas in the Tattersalls Gold Cup. For the rest of the year though Johnny teamed up with Coolmore to great effect as in 2000 initially due to injury and suspension to Kieron Fallon but then due solely to the talent he went on to display in the saddle. He was given the saddle on Aiden O'Brien's leading Epsom Derby contender, Eagle Mountain, but even his mastery of Epsom and steady climb through the field to take the runner up position had to bow to Authorized's brilliance in powering away from the field. The Tattersalls Gold Cup is a Group 1 flat racing horse race for four year old and above horses run over a distance of 1 mile 2 furlongs and 110 yards (2113 m) at The Curragh racecourse in Ireland during May. ...
Johnny's return to the limelight also led to English based trainers again regularly calling on his services in the prestigious English races for the remainder of the season.
His fans were rewarded with a profitable Royal Ascot in June with three winners at big prices; Elletelle in the Queen Mary Stakes at 20/1, Eddie Jock in the Britannia Stakes at 33/1 topped off with yet another Group 1 win on board Soldier's Tale backed down from 20/1 to 9/1 repelling the Australian sprinters in the Golden Jubilee Stakes. And in July he won another two Group 1 races in a week on the Coolmore owned Simply Perfect in the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket (following up 3rd place in the 1,000 Guineas at the same venue back in May) and Peeping Fawn in the Irish Oaks. The contrast in these two rides highlighted his versatility and talent showing in the former a mastery of front running and controlling the pace of a race to suit his mount and undermine the hold up horses in the field and in the latter stalking the English Oaks winner, Light Shift, before pouncing in the final furlong. Fans of Johnny's strength in the saddle will of course argue that had he also been aboard Peeping Fawn at Epsom she would have been the dual Oaks winner as he would have been better able to keep the filly from veering towards the rails and losing momentum. The Queen Mary Stakes is a Group 2 United Kingdom flat horse race for two-year-old fillies run over a distance of 5 furlongs at Ascot Racecourse during the Royal Ascot meeting in June. ...
In July on board Dylan Thomas in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes he again showed his cool and timing on board an impressive performance from last year's Irish Derby and Champion Stakes winner. In August his season long association with Yellowstone was rewarded with victory in the Gordon Stakes and he again teamed up with Peeping Fawn to claim the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood to confirm her as the best filly in training in Europe after outclassing Mandesha. At York's Ebor meeting just three weeks later he partnered this super filly to another convincing victory in the Yorkshire Oaks while also enjoying success in the Lonsdale Cup on Septimus. In the Juddmonte International over 10 furlongs his ride Dylan Thomas could not reel in the Derby winner Authorized with Murtagh commenting,“I make no excuses,” he reflected, “I had Dylan Thomas in a bad position between three and one-and-a-half-furlongs out. But he struggled in the [easy] ground. Peeping Fawn would have given Authorized much more to do.” Also at York his St Leger ride Honolulu ran a fine second to Purple Moon in the Ebor while Yellowstone was also beaten by John Gosden's Lucarno in the Great Voltigeur Stakes. Authorized (born 2004) is an Irish-bred and British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse, winner of the 2007 Epsom Derby. ...
In the St Leger itself at Doncaster Honolulu could only come third to another classy display from Lucarno but Johnny had the consolation of Septimus proving his ability as a top notch stayer and Ascot Gold Cup credentials with a course record breaking performance in the Doncaster Cup and in giving a winning power packed ride to Arabian Glean to land a Group 2 success in the Park Stakes. The Arabian Glean success was his third Group success with Nemarket based trainer Jeremy Noseda following Soldier's Tale and Simply Perfect and the trainer's appreciation of his jockey was evident for all to see in the ring afterwards.
His September weekend was rounded off with a big race Sunday double at Longchamp on board Mrs Lindsay and Soldier of Fortune. The Mrs Lindasy victory in the Prix Vermeille was particularly sweet as the Francois Rohaut-trained filly kept on strongly to reverse placings with West Wind from the Prix Diane. While he rewarded Coolmore's confidence in him by giving the Irish Derby winner Soldier of Fortune a well-judged ride to land the Prix Niel and confirm his Arc credentials.
The following Saturday at Newbury Johnny gave the Luca Cumani trained Monte Alto a patient last to first ride to win cosily in the Heritage Stakes warmup for the Cambridgeshire. However, in the Mill Reef Stakes he could not reel in Dark Angel on board the Noseda trained Strike the Deal who went down by a neck under a 3-pound penalty for its Richmond Stakes Group 2 win.
Johnny rounded off September with a big priced treble at Dundalk's Friday evening all weather meeting and with juvenile success for Ballydoyle at Ascot's QEII meeting on Saturday. In the Royal Lodge Stakes his mount Achill Island came second before landing Group 1 spoils on board the beautifully bred Listen in the Fillies' Mile who comfortably held off the fancied French runner Proviso and had revenge on her Molygare conqueror Saoirse Abu. Johnny quipped post race that he hoped Listen would be his Peeping Fawn in 2008. He rounded off his hot spree with a 50/1 success on Candidato Roy in the Challenge Cup with a simply brilliant well-planned ride ploughing a front running stand side course and leaving the rest of the field in his wake.
October started a little disappointingly for Johnny with his 2-year-old filly Elletelle never really getting going in the Chevely Park Stakes while Monte Alto in the Cambridgeshire, Simply Perfect in the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket and Soldier of Fortune in the Arc all failed to be placed despite his best efforts to keep them up with the pace. Normal service was resumed at Newmarket's Champions' Day where Johnny had a full book of rides. In the Champion Stakes he was reacquainted with his Derby mount, Eagle Mountain, who put up a good performance but the pair had to settle for another runner up slot unable to keep pace with the French Jockey Club runner up Literato. He then rode a famous victory in the Cesarewitch on the game Leg Spinner from the stable of legendary Irish trainer Tony Martin. For Johnny's fans the horse was allowed to go off at 14/1 despite the trainer's fearsome reputation for landing gambles in big field handicaps. Johnny commented afterwards, "Tony is a great trainer and I love it when he books you early." He finished another successful day in the saddle with victory by the fast improving Aidan O'Brien trained Kitty Matcham in the Group 2 juvenile fillies' Rockfel Stakes. The following day Johnny made a trip to Canada worthwhile by again enjoying Grade 1 success with another of his super fillies, Mrs Lindsay, in the EP Taylor Stakes.
Johnny was unable to secure a big race success for Coolmore at the end of season international meetings in the Breeders Cup and Hong Kong with Dylan Thomas particularly showing the scars of his Cartier and European horse of the year exploits (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartier_Racing_Award) and Johnny doing well to simply stay on board a spooked Simply Perfect in the Distaff. Johnny at least enjoyed two second place rides at Monmouth Park in the Breeders Cup Juvenile (Turf) on Achill Island and on Excellent Art in the Breeders Cup Mile (Turf).
2008 season Johnny Murtagh was rewarded for his fantastic season (10 Group 1 wins with 6 for Coolmore) at the end of January 2008 by being appointed retained jockey to Coolmore (the powerful owning triumvirate of John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith) and has first call on all their horses. Aidan O'Brien welcomed the appointment of Murtagh as the new first jockey "Johnny has already enjoyed plenty of success as part of the team at Ballydoyle and we are delighted to have him on board." Murtagh said: "Frankly, I'm over the moon, and I'm really looking forward to riding for the [Magnier, Tabor and Smith] team in 2008. Hopefully, it will be a big season for us. "I'm 37, and I feel my best years are ahead of me. I think I'm improving in my riding. I'm adding something all the time, and I feel I'm more consistent," he pointed out.
This was in addition to South African trainer Mike de Kock securing the services of Johnny Murtagh for the 2008 Dubai Racing Carnival as a complement to his existing book of rides from Dhruba Selvaratnam in the UAE. The De Kock-Murtagh combination had a profitable carnival with two horses excelling in particular; Honour Devil taking the UAE 2000 Guineas and Derby and Asiatic Boy taking a lucrative runners up slot behind Curlin in the Dubai World Cup.
On the first day of the Irish flat season at the Curragh on 30th March he got off to a flying start for Coolmore with successes in two maiden races for 3-year-old colts on Georgebernardshaw and Poet respectively and a runners up ride on Savethisdanceforme in the Group 3 fillies Park Express stakes. He completed a treble by partnering Snaefell to a handicap victory for Ger Lyons. The following Sunday at Leopardsdown was, however, a little disappointing with a number of Ballydoyle 3-year-olds going down including Sail, Psalm, Greek Mythology and Washing Irving albeit Sail and the last named Epsom Derby hope showed some sound acceleration and like so many Aiden O'Brien seasonal debutants will hopefully come on plenty for the run. There was bad news for Johnny the following week though when it was announced that Listen, favourite for the 1000 Guineas and the Oaks, was ruled out of both Classics after returning stiff from a canter leading her to be given a month off to recover. Johnny fared little better on his return to the Curragh with Macarthur flopping badly in the Alleged Stakes while US Ranger could only come a fast finishing third in the Gladness Stakes. It was left to Georgebernardshaw to give Johnny a Listed win as the Danehille Dancer colt established his classic credentials leaving both his lacklustre 2-year-old form and pursuers in the Loughbrown Stakes well behind. There was also much to look forward to for Johnny in the way debutant 3-year-old filly Queen of the Night, by Sadlers Wells and half-sister to Falbrav, closed a gap of 12 lengths to just 1 1/2 lengths in finishing third in a competitive maiden race. In addition Ballydoyle sent a number of 3-year-olds to the Classic trials at Longchamp, France and Newmarket, England. After a number of disappointing performances in France (where Johnny was not present by Sligo, Achill Island, Lucifer Sam and One Great Cat) at Newmarket Johnny partnered The Bogberry to a very creditable 3rd place in the Craven Stakes at a very generous 28/1. The other bright spot was Zulu Chief, half brother to Hawk Wing, who with Johnny aboard put up a promising debut performance to finish third in the Ditton Stakes. Johnny was back in Ireland for the weekend racing starring with a treble at Naas in a series of tight finishes. Ballydoyle had their first 2-year-old winner of the year in Peter Tchaikovsky, sired by Dansili, and Johnny's old friend Snaefell battled to victory past Tax Free in the Woodlands Stakes over 5 furlongs. He completed the treble in a maiden 3-year-old race on David Wachman's highly regarded filly Charlotte Bronte who will no doubt be aimed for bigger targets as the season winds up. His Sunday at Leapordstown though was most disappointing when two Coolmore colts, Followmyfootsteps in the Heritage Stakes and Alessandro Volta in the Ballysax, showed nothing when he asked for an effort from them in the straight. There was consolation in yet another filly prospect from Ballydoyle in Moonstone staying on well for Johnny to take second in a high quality maiden race also on the card. Johnny rounded off April by cementing his partnership with Aidan O'Brien with a Group 1 win in the Prix Ganay, Longchamp on board Duke of Marmalade. After a number of placed efforts in Group 1 races last year the Duke showed great guts under Johnny's prompting to hold off the German raider Saddex.
Johnny started the May bank holiday weekend with a Cork bonanza. The highlight being a listed win in the Cork Stakes over 6fs on David Wachman's Contest for a comfortable length victory over English raider Tax Free. It will be interesting to see if the now 4-year-old Contest will live up to his early 3-year-old form and be a serious contender in the big sprints to come in the season. This was part of a treble including a win for his old gaffer, Ger Lyons, on Ohiyesa in a 2-year-old race and a victory for his new boss, Aidan O'Brien, on Ice Queen who showed a great attitude to take a fillies' maiden race. The next day at Newmarket Johnny showed why he is the retained Ballydoyle jockey with a brilliantly timed burst on board Henrythenavigator in the 2000 Guineas to go ahead of and then hold off the Jim Bolger trained hot favourite New Approach. This was a reversal of their previous head to head in the Futurity Stakes in Ireland as 2-year-olds and Johnny commented afterwards that the way the two horses pulled away from the rest of the field he was confident that Henry could notch up further victories in the top mile races to come in the season. Aidan O'Brien was fulsome in his praise to both jockey and horse, "Johnny was masterful. Johnny rode him like he couldn't get beat on him today. He was very confident and super strong. We are very lucky to have Johnny in this form. He played to all his strengths and it was speed that carried him into the race." There was disappointment, however, a week later in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains where Georgebernardshaw was unplaced being unable to quicken on much firmer ground at Longchamp compared to the easier surfaces he had been excelling on at the Curragh.
Johnny achieved a Group 1 double at the Curragh Guineas meeting at the end of May beginning with Henrythenavigator proving himself to be an exceptional miler by again quickening like a top quality horse ahead of future Derby winner New Approach in the Irish 2000 Guineas.He continued to make up for lost time on board Duke of Marmalade who landed a second Group 1 in May in the Tattersalls Gold Cup by outstaying another Jim Bolger classic winner Finsceal Beo. He also scored on board Hebridean in the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes who as a gelding unfortunately for Johnny is barred from the classic races as at Epsom none of Ballydoyle's charges proved capable of being competitive in the Epsom Derby. This was in spite of some promising performances by the likes of Alessandro Volta winning the Lingield Derby Trial and runners up placings by King of Rome (Johnny's surprise Derby pick) at Lingfield, Washington Irving in the Derrinstown Derby Trial and Frozen Fire in the Dante Stakes respectively. Johnny nevertheless left Epsom with another Group 1 triumph on board Soldier of Fortune in the Coronation Cup. Johnny received many plaudits for his brilliant race riding in hemming in main rival Getaway as both tried to pass his Ballydoyle stablemate Macarthur giving his charge time to accelerate away and hold off a late charge from serial runner up Youmzain. Like fellow Irish Derby winner Dylan Thomas last season the Coronation Cup victor is all set to be campaigned in all the top 12 furlong races in Europe to give Johnny a great chance of further Group success. Johnny then achieved a good second place in the Prix Diane at Chantilly on the Coolmore owned and Andre Fabre trained Gagnoa who picked up well to chase home the brilliant Zarkava putting clear daylight to the rest of the field and is set to do even better when stepped up to 12 furlongs.
Before the Prix Diane Johnny had endured a frustrating time in the fillies classics with his intended partner Listen ruled out through injury and then his substitute pick for the English and Irish Guineas Kitty Mitcham not proving to have the speed to be competitive much like Psalm in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches. While his attempt to make all in the Epsom Oaks on board the Blue Wind Stakes winner Adored never looked like paying off. Nevertheless Johnny still has a good chance of picking up some more black type with Gagnoa and some other Ballydoyle fillies this season. He has the option of partnering Halfwaytoheaven, Irish 1000 Guineas winner and Poule d'Essai des Pouliches runner up, in the remaining fillies mile races this season while Epsom Oaks runner up Moonstone, Noblesse Stakes winner Ice Queen and the unexposed Queen of the Night give him some competitive options for the Irish Oaks. Johnny will of course also be itching for multiple Group 1 winner Peeping Fawn to be unleashed by Aiden O'Brien in the pursuit of more glory this season.
Johnny Murtagh got Royal Ascot off to a great start when Haradasun moved off the rail and got a dream run up the inside to clinch a narrow victory over Darjina in the Group One Queen Anne Stakes. Henrythenavigator then completed a Group One hat-trick and a double on the opening day of Royal Ascot for Aidan O'Brien and Johnny Murtagh when winning the St James's Palace Stakes. The 4/7 favourite was given a typically confident ride from Murtagh as stablemate Minneapolis set a strong gallop before Henry got a split between horses over a furlong out and quickly went clear with his trademark turn of foot never looking like being overhauled. "We are delighted - he's a really special horse," said O'Brien. "He has speed, stamina, class and he picks up - he has a great attitude and Johnny rode him with so much confidence. "He's a great horse and I think it's very hard to say that we'll get a better miler than this lad." While Johnny commented, "It opened up nicely for him as the lesser horses weakened and he had the class to take the gaps. He knows he's the best horse now and he trains like the best horse, too. He's exceptionally good." On Wednesday Duke Of Marmalade gave Johnny Murtagh his third Royal Ascot winner of the week with a brilliant victory in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. The four-year-old, out of Danehill's last crop, stormed clear in the final furlong to win impressively by four lengths from Phoenix Tower who was a short-head in front of Pipedreamer. Once Johnny Murtagh moved him wide off the home bend and issued the prompt, Duke Of Marmalade responded with the fury of a hungry lion. It was a simple, beautiful kill, breathtaking in its execution. “He murdered them,” was Murtagh's succinct appraisal of Duke Of Marmalade's performance. Some minutes later, O'Brien would explain the difference between this year's model and the one who ran admirably without winning throughout last season. “As a two-year-old he fractured a pastern and had pins put in a front joint,” O'Brien said. “They were hurting him all last season, when he was always half lame. They were catching a ligament but the boys [vets] tweaked them last winter and now he moves much more easily.” On Ladies' day Johnny made history by winning the Ascot Gold Cup on board Yeats who equalled Sagaro's record of three successive Gold Cups. Johnny made the marathon trip a real test by taking Yeats to the front half a mile out to see off French raider Coastal Path and Jamie Osbourne's mercurial Geordieland. After the race Johnny commented, "When Geordieland arrived next to us it helped me, because it really gave him a second burst of energy and you could see how well he stayed on to the line. He doesn't ride like a seven-year-old at all, he's more like a two-year-old when he's around the yard, always quite fresh with himself, and Aidan deliberately kept him fresh for this." Johnny also enjoyed a number of excellent placed mounts at Ascot with Bushranger in the Windsor Castle Stakes, Grecian Dancer in the Windsor Forest and King of Rome enhancing his St Leger credentials after keeping on well in the Hampton Court Stakes.
Personal Life He is married to Orla, and has five children.
Major winners
 Ireland Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland. ...
 Great Britain The Irish 2,000 Guineas is a Group 1 flat horse race in the Republic of Ireland for three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. ...
The Irish Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in the Republic of Ireland for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. ...
The Irish Derby is a Group 1 flat horse race in the Republic of Ireland for three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies run over a distance of 1 mile 4 furlongs (2,414 metres) at the Curragh, County Kildare in late June / early July. ...
Sinndar, (born 1997) is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse owned and bred by HH Aga Khan IV, and trained by John Oxx. ...
The Irish Oaks is a Group 1 flat horse race in the Republic of Ireland for three-year-old thoroughbred fillies run over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs (2,414 metres) at the Curragh in July. ...
The Matron Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in the Republic of Ireland for three-year-old and above thoroughbred fillies and mares run over a distance of 1 mile at Leopardstown Racecourse in September. ...
Soviet Song (IRE) is a racehorse bred and owned by Elite Racing Club. ...
The Moyglare Stud Stakes is a Group 1 flat racing horse race for two year old fillies run over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 m) at The Curragh racecourse in Ireland during September. ...
The National Stakes is a Group 1 flat racing horse race for two year old colts and fillies run over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 m) at The Curragh racecourse in Ireland during September. ...
The Pretty Polly Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in the Republic of Ireland for three-year-old and above thoroughbred fillies and mares run over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs (2,012 metres) at the Curragh in late June / early July. ...
The Tattersalls Gold Cup is a Group 1 flat racing horse race for four year old and above horses run over a distance of 1 mile 2 furlongs and 110 yards (2113 m) at The Curragh racecourse in Ireland during May. ...
Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ...
- 2,000 Guineas - (2) - Rock of Gibraltar (2002), Henrythenavigator (2008)
- Ascot Gold Cup - (4) - Enzeli (1999), Royal Rebel (2001, 2002), Yeats (2008)
- Champion Stakes - (1) - Kalanisi (2000)
- Coronation Cup - (1) - Soldier of Fortune (2008)
- Coronation Stakes - (1) - Ridgewood Pearl (1995)
- Derby - (3) - Sinndar (2000), High Chaparral (2002), Motivator (2005)
- Falmouth Stakes - (3) - Soviet Song (2004, 2005), Simply Perfect (2007)
- Fillies' Mile - (1) - Listen (2007)
- Golden Jubilee Stakes - (3) - Superior Premium (2000), Choisir (2003), Soldier's Tale (2007)
- July Cup - (1) - Frizzante (2004)
- King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes - (2) - Alamshar (2003), Dylan Thomas (2007)
- King's Stand Stakes - (1) - Choisir (2003)
- Nassau Stakes - (1) - Peeping Fawn (2007)
- Prince of Wales's Stakes - (1) - Duke of Marmalade (2008)
- Queen Anne Stakes - (2) - No Excuse Needed (2002), Haradasun (2008)
- Racing Post Trophy - (1) - Dilshaan (2000)
- St. James's Palace Stakes - (2) - Black Minnaloushe (2001), Henrythenavigator (2008)
- Sussex Stakes - (1) - Soviet Song (2004)
- Yorkshire Oaks - (3) - Key Change (1996), Petrushka (2000), Peeping Fawn (2007)
 Canada Rock of Gibraltar (IRE) (bay horse, born March 8, 1999, Danehill (USA) - Offshore Boom (GB) Be My Guest (USA)) is a champion racehorse and stallion owned by Coolmore, for whom he currently stands in Ireland (during the Northern Hemisphere breeding season) and Australia (as a shuttle-stallion during the Southern...
The Ascot Gold Cup, 1834 by James Pollard The Ascot Gold Cup is a Group 1 United Kingdom flat racing horse race for four year old and above horses run over a distance of 2 miles 4 furlongs at Ascot Racecourse during June. ...
Yeats was foaled on April 23, 2001 at Derrinstown Stud, and is owned by Ballydoyle and Coolmore Stud boss John Magnier. ...
The Champion Stakes is a Group 1 United Kingdom flat racing horse race for those horses aged three years and above run over a distance of 1 mile 2 furlongs at Newmarket Racecourse during October. ...
The Coronation Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for four-year-old and above thoroughbreds run over a distance of 1 mile 4 furlongs and 10 yards (2,423 metres) at Epsom Racecourse during the Derby meeting in early June. ...
The Coronation Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old thoroughbred fillies run over a distance of 1 mile at Ascot Racecourse during the Royal Ascot meeting in June. ...
Epsom Derby, Théodore Géricault, 1821. ...
High Chaparral is a racehorse, winner of the Epsom Derby in 2002, and the winner of the Breeders Cup Turf in 2002 & 2003 (albeit dead-heating in the latter). ...
Motivator is a race horse foaled on February 22, 2002, winner of the 2005 Epsom Derby. ...
The Falmouth Stakes is a Group 1 United Kingdom flat racing horse race for three year old fillies run over a distance of 1 mile at Newmarket Racecourse during July. ...
The Fillies Mile is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. ...
The Golden Jubilee Stakes is a Group 1 United Kingdom flat racing horse race for horses three years old and above run over a distance of 6 furlongs at Ascot Racecourse during June. ...
The July Cup is a Group 1 United Kingdom flat racing horse race for horses three years old and above run over a distance of 6 furlongs at Newmarket Racecourse during July. ...
Frizzante is a former racehorse owned by Jan Hopper and Elizabeth Grundy trained by Newmarket based James Fanshawe, she won the 2004 Group 1 July Cup and also claimed the Group 3 Palace House Stakes in the same year. ...
The King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds. ...
Dylan Thomas (foaled April 23, 2003 in Ireland) is a Thoroughbred racehorse. ...
The Kings Stand Stakes is a Group 2 United Kingdom flat racing horse race for three year old and above horses run over a distance of 5 furlongs (1006 m) at Ascot Racecourse during June. ...
The Nassau Stakes is a Group 1 United Kingdom flat racing horse race for fillies aged three years old and above run over a distance of 1 mile 1 furlongs and 192 yards at Goodwood Racecourse during July. ...
The Prince of Waless Stakes is a Group 1 United Kingdom flat racing horse race for four year old horses run over a distance of 1 mile 2 furlongs (2012 m) at Ascot Racecourse during June. ...
The Queen Anne Stakes is a Group 1 United Kingdom flat racing horse race for horses four years old and above run over a distance of 1 mile at Ascot Racecourse during June. ...
Haradasun (foaled 28 November, 2003) is a notable four year old brown horse (by Fusaichi Pegasus from Circles of Gold) Australian Thoroughbred racehorse whose wins include the 2007 G1 Doncaster Handicap and George Ryder Stakes. ...
The Racing Post Trophy is a Group 1 United Kingdom flat racing horse race for two year old colts and fillies and above run over a distance of 1 mile at Doncaster Racecourse during October. ...
The St. ...
The Sussex Stakes is a Group 1 United Kingdom flat racing horse race for horses three years old and above run over a distance of 1 mile at Goodwood Racecourse during July. ...
The Yorkshire Oaks is a Group 1 United Kingdom flat racing horse race for those horses aged three years and above run over a distance of 1 mile 3 furlongs and 198 yards at York Racecourse during August. ...
Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ...
 France The E. P. Taylor Stakes is a Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares held annually since 1956 in October at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada run on grass at a distance of 1 ¼ miles. ...
Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ...
 Germany The Prix de lAbbaye de Longchamp is a Group 1 flat horse race in France for two-year-old and above thoroughbreds run over a distance of 1,000 metres (approximately 5 furlongs) at Longchamp Racecourse during the Prix de lArc de Triomphe meeting in early October. ...
Races at Lonchamp - Édouard Manet, 1867 The Prix de LArc de Triomphe is a flat thoroughbred horse race of a 2400 metres (about 1 mile 4 furlongs) raced on turf for 3 year olds and up, Colts, horses, Fillies and mares (exclude geldings). ...
The Prix du Cadran is a Group 1 flat horse race in France for four-year-old and above thoroughbreds run over a distance of 4,000 metres (approximately 2 miles 4 furlongs) at Longchamp Racecourse during the Prix de lArc de Triomphe meeting in early October. ...
The Prix Ganay is a Group 1 flat horse race in France for four-year-old and above thoroughbreds run over a distance of 2,100 metres (approximately 1 mile and 2½ furlongs) at Longchamp racecourse in late April / early May. ...
The Prix du Moulin de Longchamp is a Group 1 flat horse race in France for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds run over a distance of 1,600 metres (approximately 1 mile) at Longchamp Racecourse in early September. ...
The Prix de lOpéra is a Group 1 flat horse race in France for three-year-old and above thoroughbred fillies and mares run over a distance of 2,000 metres (approximately 1 mile 2 furlongs) at Longchamp Racecourse during the Prix de lArc de Triomphe meeting...
The Prix Vermeille is a Group 1 flat horse race in France for three and four-year-old thoroughbred fillies run over a distance of 2,400 metres (approximately 1 mile 4 furlongs) at Longchamp Racecourse in September. ...
Image File history File links Flag_of_Germany. ...
 Hong Kong The Bayerisches Zuchtrennen is a Group 1 flat horse race in Germany for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds run over a distance of 2,000 metres (approximately 1 mile 2 furlongs) at Munich Racecourse, Munich in late July / early August. ...
Image File history File links Flag_of_Hong_Kong. ...
 United States The Hong Kong Vase is a Group 1 flat horse race in Hong Kong for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds run over a distance of 2,400 metres (approximately 1 mile 4 furlongs) at Sha Tin Racecourse in mid December. ...
Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ...
 United Arab Emirates The Beverly D. Stakes is a Grade 1 flat horse race in the United States for thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three-years-old and upward. ...
The Breeders Cup Mile is a 1-mile Grade 1 Weight for Age stakes race for thoroughbred racehorses three years old and up run annually since 1984 at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders Cup. ...
The Breeders Cup Turf is a Thoroughbred horse race on turf for 3 years old and up. ...
Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Arab_Emirates. ...
- UAE 2000 Guineas - (2) - Asiatic Boy (2007) Honour Devil (2008)
- Dubai UAE Derby - (1) - Honour Devil (2008)
The UAE Derby is a Group 2 flat horse race in the United Arab Emirates for three-year-old thoroughbreds run over a distance of 1,800 metres (approximately 1 mile 1 furlong) on the dirt at Nad Al Sheba racecourse in Dubai. ...
Links http://www.hri.ie/Content/HRI/hriprofilesjockey.aspx?id=1178
http://www.britishhorseracing.com/goracing/racing/peopleinracing/jockeys/view.asp?item=000016
http://www.emiratesracing.com/eq/InquiryByJockey.cfm?search=murtagh
http://www.ntra.com/stats_bios.aspx?id=1785
http://www.jockeysroom.com/itm00152.htm
http://sport.guardian.co.uk/horseracing/story/0,,1731798,00.html
Links to Newmarket 2000 Guineas victory
2002 - Rock of Gibraltar http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/1968287.stm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xvb2y6_8cI
2008 - Henry the Navigator http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMUqYW-pXzU
Links to Epsom Derby victories
2000 - Sinndar http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/785430.stm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrxyPwW9tIA
2002 - High Chapparal http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/epsom_derby_2002/2012400.stm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRXxI8Kt85g&feature=PlayList&p=B458ADB6AD014BBF&index=5
2005 - Motivator http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/sol/newsid_4610000/newsid_4610100/4610155.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&news=1&ms3=6 http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/4593987.stm
Links to King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes victories
2003 - Alamshar http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/3092513.stm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYFhVEQD3kg
2007 - Dylan Thomas http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/6914054.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/sol/newsid_6920000/newsid_6920700/6920729.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&news=1
Link to Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe victory
2000 - Sinndar http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/951347.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/950000/audio/_951938_johnny_murtagh.ram http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fuVhLV5NWc
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