Land of heart"s desire for Murtagh!
Bohermeen jockey Johnny Murtagh created a bit of racing history at Royal Ascot last week when he won the Gold Cup with the Aidan O"Brien-trained Yeats which became the first horse to claim the trophy for a fourth time. It"s unusual for an eight-year-old full horse to remain in training, but the positive side of that is that the majority of patrons at Ascot last week were there to see if Yeats could make history. O"Brien"s eight-year-old made a disappointing seasonal reappearance at Navan last May, but was installed as 6/4 favourite for the big Ascot race. Murtagh sent Yeats to the front well before the turn for home and the duo opened up a substantial gap before Patkai came out of the pack to launch a late challenge. 'Muhammad Ali told everyone he was the greatest and he was, and Yeats has shown everyone today that he is the ultimate heavyweight champion,' enthused a delighted Murtagh who missed the final two days of the Festival due to suspension. 'We kept saying the ground was too soft at Navan, but nobody believed us and people tried to pick holes in him. He loves fast ground, he loves Royal Ascot and he comes alive here. 'This is one the greatest days of my riding career and the feeling I had coming past the line was incredible. 'I"ve had a good week, but for the horse to win four Ascot Gold Cups is fantastic and the crowd turned out in force to see him. 'It"s good for racing and Yeats is everything that"s positive about racing,' concluded the popular Bohermeen jockey. Runner-up Patkai is owned by Ballymacoll Stud, Dunboyne. 'Patkai ran a very good race and he stayed the trip. He just ran a little freely down to the start, but it was no disgrace to be beaten by a very good horse - a specialist round here,' commented Ballymacoll Stud racing manager Peter Reynolds. Despite missing the final two days, Murtagh was crowned the leading jockey for the second year in succession after ending the meeting with four wins. Murtagh claimed the London Clubs International Charity Trophy in 2008 with six winners while he was also the top man in 2002 and 2001. However, this year"s championship went right down to the wire with Murtagh only beating Richard Hughes due to a solitary second place. Murtagh"s second-place finish aboard Cesare in Tuesday"s Queen Anne Stakes secured the title. Murtagh"s other winners were Mastercraftsman, Spacious and Forgotten Voice. Meath trainer Tony Martin also had a number of runners at Royal Ascot with Salute Him finishing third in a listed handicap.