Murtagh quits top stable

Bohermeen’s champion jockey and the Meath Chronicle/Cusack Hotels Meath Sports Person of the Year Johnny Murtagh will quit his job as Coolmore/Ballydoyle stable jockey for leading trainer Aidan O’Brien when the current flat campaign ends. In a statement released by Murtagh’s agent, Eddie Byrne, the Meath man’s departure from one of the most prestigious jobs in horse racing was confirmed. “Johnny Murtagh has spoken to Mr John Magnier, Mr Derrick Smith, Mr Michael Tabor and Mr Aidan O’Brien and informed them that he will not be renewing his contract to ride as stable jockey to Coolmore/Ballydoyle next season, 2011. “He (Murtagh) would like to thank Mr Magnier, Mr Smith, Mr Tabor and Mr O’Brien for the wonderful and successful three years that we all enjoyed together and he wishes all of them, and their families, every success in the future. “He would also like to thank Mr David Wachman, Mr Charles O’Brien and Mr Tommy Stack, who also train Coolmore horses, and to wish them every success next season.” Coolmore is the worldwide breeding operation behind the powerful Ballydoyle stable, for which Murtagh was the primary rider. He also rode for several other handlers who train Coolmore-owned horses. Murtagh officially became the retained rider to O’Brien at the start of the 2008 flat season, having enjoyed big-race success on the likes of Dylan Thomas and Peeping Fawn during the summer of 2007, when deputising for first-jockey Kieren Fallon who was unable to ride in Britain pending the start of his trial at the Old Bailey. Murtagh guided the brilliant Yeats to two of his four victories in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, as well as enjoying multiple Classic victories on the likes of Henrythenavigator, Fame And Glory and most recently Cape Blanco in this year’s Irish Derby. The jockey’s last notable success for the Coolmore operation came aboard Roderic O’Connor in the Group One Criterium International at Saint-Cloud on Sunday 31st October. There had been speculation that Murtagh was on the point of quitting with suggestions that a top jockey in the UK had already been offered the post but had turned it down. Pat Smullen, currently stable jockey for Dermot Weld, is now considered the most likely man to take Murtagh’s place. William Buick, Christophe Soumillon, Colm O’Donoghue and Ryan Moore are among those who have been linked with the job. Joseph O’Brien, son of trainer Aidan, has also been riding more of Ballydoyle’s first string this season in an attempt to take the apprentice title.