Murtagh pays tribute to the late HH the Aga Khan

His Highness passed away this week aged 88.

Five-time Irish flat racing Champion Jockey and Navan native, Johnny Murtagh, has paid tribute to the late HH the Aga Khan who this week, passed away aged 88.

His Highness the Aga Khan was one of racing's most influential owners and his red and green colours are among the most recognisable silk's in the industry. His Highness' won seven British Classics including five Epsom Derbys and 11 Irish Classics including six Irish Derbys.

The Aga Khan IV is probably best known within racing for owning the famous Shergar who was kidnapped by the Irish Republican Army in February 1983.

Speaking to the Meath Chronicle, Johnny Murtagh, who rode 18 Group ones for the Aga Khan, paid tribute to the man he will be "forever indebted" to for what he did for the Bohermeen native's racing career.

"His Highness has left behind him a huge legacy in Irish racing. He owned four stud farms, including 100-plus mares and several stallions. What he has done for the global racing breeding industry is phenomenal. I was first jockey for him for many years and you felt proud wearing his famous silks. I had great success with his horses including an Epsom Derby, two Irish Derbys and a Prix de lArc." said Murtagh.

"He loved winning, you could see it on his face when he led horses into the winner's enclosure that it meant so much to him. He put so much thought into planning the matings and matching up with suitable stallions. There is an awful lot of work in running an operation of that magnitude. He was also a good loser. None of us like losing but he always took it well. If it didn't work out, he knew you didn't go out to mess up in any way. He had a great understanding of racing and he loved his horses deeply. He was just a wonderful man and I will be forever in his debt for giving me some of the greatest days in my racing career."