Seven-day ban for Murtagh

Meath jockey Johnny Murtagh was handed a seven-day ban by the British racing authorities on Thursday following an investigation into the Juddmonte International Stakes. Murtagh won the race with Duke Of Marmalade at Newmarket last month and was deemed to be in breach of Rule 220 (iii) in that he acted in a manner prejudicial to the proper conduct of racing. Trainer Aidan O'Brien was fined €5,000 and jockey Colm O'Donoghue, who rode the pacemaker, was also banned for seven days. Duke Of Marmalade was sent off the 4/6 favourite for the 10-furlong contest and had three-quarters of a length to spare over Henry Cecil's Phoenix Tower at the line. O'Donoghue and Red Rock Canyon faded to finish seventh of the nine runners as a 66-1 chance.