Johnny Murtagh

For the New Zealand cricketer, see John Murtagh.

Johnny Murtagh (born May 14, 1970) is a Irish flat racing jockey from Bohermeen, Navan, County Meath.

He excels on the big stage, having won many Group 1 races around the world. His haul includes a clean sweep of the Irish Classic races, England's biggest races the Derby, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, all of Royal Ascot's Group 1 races and France's biggest race the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe.

This sustained success over nearly two decades is all the more impressive as he cannot naturally meet the flat jockey's weight and has to spend the season very underweight.

Murtagh was a keen amateur boxer as a young boy. At a fight one evening in his native County Meath, a spectator advised his mother Johnny would make a good jockey, citing his small size, weight, good balance, sense of rhythm, and courage.^{[citation needed]} His mother wrote to the school for apprentice jockeys in County Kildare, got a two-week trial for her son, and sent him on his way.

Murtagh knew riding was for him as soon as he stepped into the world of horses.^{[citation needed]} From the trial, he got on the ten-month training course, and within a year, he was apprenticed to John Oxx, one of Ireland’s leading trainers.

Murtagh was stable jockey to Oxx from 1992–2003, during which time he rode 18 Group One winners for the Aga Khan.

He was the Coolmore operation's number one jockey between 2008 to 2010. Between 2007 and 2010 he rode an incredible 47 Group One winners for Coolmore mostly for Ballydoyle maestro Aiden O'Brien.

He then resigned his post as stable jockey to Coolmore and was quickly snapped up by the Aga Khan again. The Aga Khan currently has 90 horses in training with John Oxx in Ireland, with Mick Halford training 30.

"I am thrilled to be renewing my association with His Highness' horses in Ireland," Murtagh said in a statement. We have shared some fantastic moments over the years and I have always enjoyed riding in the green and red colours. This will also give me an opportunity to ride for John Oxx again. I started off riding for Mr Oxx and it has always been a pleasure to be part of his Currabeg team."

Personal life

He is married to Orla, daughter of famous Tipperary hurler Michael'Babs' Keating, and has five children.

Murtagh's motto is “The river doesn’t need pushing" - you don’t need to rush things, just take it easy, let things flow, things are happening for your greater benefit.

Major wins (by country)

Ireland

• Irish 1,000 Guineas - (1) - Again (2009)
• Irish 2,000 Guineas - (3) - Black Minnaloushe (2001), Henrythenavigator (2008), Mastercraftsman (2009)
• Irish Champion Stakes - (1) - Timarida (1996)
• Irish Derby - (4) - Sinndar (2000), Alamshar (2003), Fame and Glory (2009), Cape Blanco (2010)
• Irish Oaks - (5) - Ebadiyla (1997), Winona (1998), Petrushka (2000), Peeping Fawn (2007), Moonstone (2008)
• Irish St. Leger - (1) - Jukebox Jury (2011)
• Matron Stakes - (3) - Timarida (1995), Soviet Song (2004), Lillie Langtry (2010)
• Moyglare Stud Stakes - (1) - Edabiya (1998)
• National Stakes - (3) - Manntari (1993), Sinndar (1999), Mastercraftsman (2008)
• Phoenix Stakes - (3) - Mastercraftsman (2008), Alfred Nobel (2009), Zoffany (2010)
• Pretty Polly Stakes - (1) - Takarouna (1993)
• Tattersalls Gold Cup - (3) - Notnowcato (2007), Duke of Marmalade (2008), Fame and Glory (2010)

Great Britain

• 2,000 Guineas - (2) - Rock of Gibraltar (2002), Henrythenavigator (2008)
• Ascot Gold Cup - (5) - Enzeli (1999), Royal Rebel (2001, 2002), Yeats (2008, 2009)
• Champion Stakes - (1) - Kalanisi (2000)
• Cheveley Park Stakes - (1) - Lightening Pearl (2011)
• Coronation Cup - (2) - Soldier of Fortune (2008), Fame and Glory (2010)
• Coronation Stakes - (2) - Ridgewood Pearl (1995), Lillie Langtry (2010)
• Derby - (3) - Sinndar (2000), High Chaparral (2002), Motivator (2005)
• Eclipse Stakes - (1) - Mount Nelson (2008)
• Falmouth Stakes - (3) - Soviet Song (2004, 2005), Simply Perfect (2007)
• Fillies' Mile - (1) - Listen (2007)
• Golden Jubilee Stakes - (4) - Superior Premium (2000), Choisir (2003), Soldier's Tale (2007), Starspangledbanner (2010)
• International Stakes - (2) - Duke of Marmalade (2008), Rip Van Winkle (2010)
• July Cup - (2) - Frizzante (2004), Starspangledbanner (2010)
• King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes - (3) - Alamshar (2003), Dylan Thomas (2007), Duke of Marmalade (2008)
• King's Stand Stakes - (1) - Choisir (2003)
• Middle Park Stakes - (1) - Bushranger (2008)
• Nassau Stakes - (2) - Peeping Fawn (2007), Halfway to Heaven (2008)
• Oaks - (1) - Dancing Rain (2011)
• Prince of Wales's Stakes - (1) - Duke of Marmalade (2008)
• Queen Anne Stakes - (2) - No Excuse Needed (2002), Haradasun (2008)
• Queen Elizabeth II Stakes - (1) - Rip Van Winkle (2009)
• Racing Post Trophy - (2) - Dilshaan (2000), St Nicholas Abbey (2009)
• St. James's Palace Stakes - (3) - Black Minnaloushe (2001), Henrythenavigator (2008), Mastercraftsman (2009)
• Sussex Stakes - (3) - Soviet Song (2004), Henrythenavigator (2008), Rip Van Winkle (2009)
• Yorkshire Oaks - (3) - Key Change (1996), Petrushka (2000), Peeping Fawn (2007)

France

• Critérium International - (1) - Roderic O'Connor (2010)
• Critérium de Saint-Cloud - (2) - Fame and Glory (2008), Recital (2010)
• Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp - (2) - Namid (2000), Total Gallery (2009)
• Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe - (1) - Sinndar (2000)
• Prix du Cadran - (1) - Give Notice (2002)
• Prix Ganay - (1) - Duke of Marmalade (2008)
• Prix Marcel Boussac - (1) - Misty For Me (2010)
• Prix Morny - (1) - Bushranger (2008)
• Prix du Moulin de Longchamp - (1) - Ridgewood Pearl (1995)
• Prix de l'Opéra - (2) - Timarida (1995), Petrushka (2000)
• Prix Royal-Oak - (1) - Yeats (2008)
• Prix Vermeille - (1) - Mrs Lindsay (2007)

United States

• Beverly D. Stakes - (1) - Timarida (1996)
• Breeders' Cup Marathon - (1) - Man of Iron (2009)
• Breeders' Cup Mile - (1) - Ridgewood Pearl (1995)
• Breeders' Cup Turf - (1) - Kalanisi (2000)

Germany

• Bayerisches Zuchtrennen - (2) - Timarida (1996), Greek Dance (2000)

Hong Kong

• Hong Kong Vase - (1) - Daliapour (2000)

Canada

• E. P. Taylor Stakes - (2) - Choc Ice (2001), Mrs Lindsay (2007)

United Arab Emirates

• UAE 2,000 Guineas - (2) - Asiatic Boy (2007), Honour Devil (2008)
• UAE Derby - (1) - Honour Devil (2008)

Most Successful Mounts

Ridgewood Pearl 1995 John Ox Coronation Stakes, Prix Du Moulin and Breeders Cup Mile Turf http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=97119

Timarida 1995 & 1996, John Ox Matron Stakes, Prix De L’Opera, Bayerisches Zuchtrennen, Beverly D. Stakes and Irish Champion Stakes http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=99186

Sinndar 1999 & 2000 John Ox National Stakes, Epsom Derby, Irish Derby and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=517440

Petrushka 2000 Michael Stoute Irish Oaks, Yorkshire Oaks and Prix De L’Opera http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=519050

Kalanisi 2000 Michael Stoute Champion Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Turf http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=480864

Royal Rebel 2001 & 2002 Mark Johnston Successive Ascot Gold Cups http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=500350

Black Minnaloushe 2003 Aiden O'Brien Irish 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=526692

Alamshar 2003 John Ox Irish Derby and King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=568725

Choisir 2003 Paul Perry Kings Stand and Golden Jubilee Stakes Royal Ascot double http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=560048

Soviet Song 2004 & 2005 James Fanshawe Falmouth Stakes 04, Sussex Stakes, Matron Stakes and Falmouth Stakes 05 http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=566194

Peeping Fawn 2007 Aiden O'Brien Irish Oaks, Nassau Stakes and Yorkshire Oaks http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=661862

Mrs Lindsay 2007 Francois Rohaut Prix Vermeille and EP Taylor Stakes http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=664181

Honour Devil 2008 Mike De Kock UAE 2000 Guineas and Derby http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=696431

Duke of Marmalade 2008 Aiden O'Brien Prix Ganay, Tattersalls Gold Cup, Prince Of Wales Stakes, King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes and International Stakes http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=659996

Henrythenavigator 2008 Aiden O'Brien 2000 Guineas, Irish 2000 Guineas, St James’s Palace Stakes and Sussex Stakes http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=679491

Bushranger 2008 David Wachman Prix Morny and Middle Park Stakes http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=697233

Yeats 2008 & 2009 Aiden O'Brien Ascot Gold Cup 08, Prix Royal Oak and Ascot Gold Cup 09 http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=583841

Mastercraftsman 2008 & 2009 Aiden O'Brien Phoenix Stakes, National Stakes, Irish 2000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/racing_horse_form.sd?horse_id=695767

Fame And Glory 2008 - 2010 Aiden O'Brien Critérium de Saint-Cloud, Irish Derby, Tattersalls Gold Cup & Coronation Cup http://www.racingpost.com/horses/horse_home.sd?horse_id=695865

Rip Van Winkle 2009 & 2010 Aiden O'Brien Sussex Stakes, QEII Stakes & International Stakes http://www.racingpost.com/horses/horse_home.sd?horse_id=695691

Starspangledbanner 2010 Aiden O'Brien Golden Jubilee Stakes & July Cup http://www.racingpost.com/horses/horse_home.sd?horse_id=726295

Lillie Langtry 2010 Aiden O'Brien Coronation Stakes & Matron Stakes http://www.racingpost.com/horses/horse_home.sd?horse_id=724395

External 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 wins

• 2002 - Rock of Gibraltar
  • http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/1968287.stm
• 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
• 2002 - High Chapparal
  • http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/epsom_derby_2002/2012400.stm
• 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
• 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
• 2008 - Duke of Marmalade
  • http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/7524144.stm

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

References

Year-end charts in the United States

Chart (2000–present)	Peak position
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2000	83
National Earnings List for Jockeys 2008	85