Johnny Murtagh (born 14 May 1970) is an Irish

flat racing Horse racing is an equestrian performance sport, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its basic pr ...

trainer and former jockey from Bohermeen, near Navan, Kells,

County Meath County Meath (; gle, Contae na Mí or simply ) is a county in the Eastern and Midland Region of Ireland, within the province of Leinster. It is bordered by Dublin to the southeast, Louth to the northeast, Kildare to the south, Offaly to the ...

. As a jockey he won many of the major flat races in Europe, including all the Irish Classics, all the

Group 1 Group 1 may refer to: * Alkali metal, a chemical element classification for Alkali metal * Group 1 (racing), a historic (until 1981) classification for Touring car racing, applied to standard touring cars. Comparable to modern FIA Group N * Group On ...

Races at

Royal Ascot Ascot Racecourse ("ascot" pronounced , often pronounced ) is a dual-purpose British racecourse, located in Ascot, Berkshire, England, which is used for thoroughbred horse racing. It hosts 13 of Britain's 36 annual Flat Group 1 horse races a ...

, The Derby, the

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot o ...

and Europe's biggest race the

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, France, over a distance ...

. He was also

Irish flat racing Champion Jockey The Champion Jockey of flat racing in Ireland is the jockey who has ridden the most winning horses during a season. The list below shows the Champion Jockey for each year since 1950. Champion Jockeys since 1950 * 1950 - J W Thompson * 1951 ...

five times. As a trainer, based at stables near

Kildare Kildare () is a town in County Kildare, Ireland. , its population was 8,634 making it the 7th largest town in County Kildare. The town lies on the R445, some west of Dublin – near enough for it to have become, despite being a regional ce ...

, he has saddled a winner at Royal Ascot and an Irish Classic winner.

Background

Murtagh was born in Navan,

. He was a keen amateur boxer as a young boy and was once Irish boy's under-14 boxing champion. He also came close to joining Blackburn Rovers' youth

football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball to score a goal. Unqualified, the word ''football'' normally means the form of football that is the most popular where the word is used. Sports commonly ...

team. At a boxing fight one evening in his native

, a spectator advised his mother that Murtagh had the attributes to make a good

jockey A jockey is someone who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing. The word "jockey" originated from England and was used to describe the individual ...

, balance, poise, weight, strength, courage. His mother wrote to the Racing Academy and Centre of Education (RACE) in

County Kildare County Kildare ( ga, Contae Chill Dara) is a county in Ireland. It is in the province of Leinster and is part of the Eastern and Midland Region. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the count ...

, a school for apprentice jockeys, and got a two-week trial for her son. He was one of 26 successful candidates who progressed onto the RACE 10-month course. At the end of the course, he was apprenticed to John Oxx, one of Ireland's leading trainers.

Career as jockey

Murtagh rode his first winner, Chicago Style, at

Limerick Limerick ( ; ga, Luimneach ) is a western city in Ireland situated within County Limerick. It is in the province of Munster and is located in the Mid-West which comprises part of the Southern Region. With a population of 94,192 at the 2 ...

in 1987. He became stable jockey to Oxx in 1992, and from then until his departure in 2003, rode 18 Group 1 winners for Oxx's leading owner, the

Aga Khan Aga Khan ( fa, آقاخان, ar, آغا خان; also transliterated as ''Aqa Khan'' and ''Agha Khan'') is a title held by the Imām of the Nizari Ismāʿīli Shias. Since 1957, the holder of the title has been the 49th Imām, Prince Shah Kari ...

. For Oxx, Murtagh rode Sinndar to win The Derby and

Irish Derby The Irish Derby ( Irish: Dearbaí na hÉireann) is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of ...

, as well as the

in 2000. He won the Derby again on the Michael Bell trained Motivator. Murtagh was also the regular jockey for talented filly Soviet Song. In 2004, the partnership won two Group 1 races, including the Sussex Stakes at

Glorious Goodwood Goodwood Racecourse is a horse-racing track five miles north of Chichester, West Sussex, in England controlled by the family of the Duke of Richmond, whose seat is nearby Goodwood House. It hosts the annual Glorious Goodwood meeting in late ...

. Here she beat a strong field of colts, including the

2,000 Guineas The 2000 Guineas Stakes is a Group 1 flat race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres) and scheduled to take place each year ...

winner Haafhd. From 2008 to 2010, he was stable jockey for Coolmore, taking over from the drug-banned Kieren Fallon. He had been riding for them on an ad-hoc basis since 2002, most notably winning the Derby on

High Chaparral High Chaparral (1 March 1999 – 21 December 2014) was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career that lasted from September 2001 to October 2003, he ran 13 times and won 10 races. His win in the Racing Post Trophy made him one ...

in 2002. In 2008, he rode 19 Group 1 winners in a single season for O'Brien (21 in total for Coolmore), and followed it up in 2009 with another 10, including the Irish Derby, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Sussex Stakes,

Ascot Gold Cup The Gold Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 2 miles 3 furlongs and 210 yards (4,01 ...

St. James's Palace Stakes The St James's Palace Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old colts. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 7 furlongs and 213 yards (1,603 metres). It is sched ...

and an Irish 1,000 and

double. He resigned his post as stable jockey to Coolmore in November 2010, issuing a statement via his agent to say he had informed Coolmore he wouldn't be renewing his contract. No reason was given but there was speculation that O'Brien was looking for another jockey, and on his recent return from the Breeders Cup at

Churchill Downs Churchill Downs is a horse racing complex located on Central Avenue in south Louisville, Kentucky, United States, famed for hosting the annual Kentucky Derby. It officially opened in 1875 and was named for Samuel Churchill, whose family was p ...

, where he had ridden four losers for O'Brien, one bookmaker had been offering odds on his replacement. His last Group 1 winner for the team was Roderic O'Connor in the Criterium International at Saint-Cloud on 31 October 2010. This meant he was back riding for Oxx who trained 90 of the Aga Khan's horses, and additionally for Mick Halford who trained 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". In February 2014, Murtagh announced that he would retire from riding to concentrate on his training career.

Career as trainer

Murtagh obtained his trainer's licence in 2013. In his first season he achieved a Group 2 and two Group 3 wins, including the

Blandford Stakes The Blandford Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs (2,0 ...

with Belle de Crecy and the British Champions Long Distance Cup with Royal Diamond, riding the horses himself. His first Group 1 winner as a trainer was Champers Elysees in the Matron Stakes at

Leopardstown Racecourse Leopardstown Racecourse is an Irish horse-racing venue, located in Leopardstown, Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown, 8 km south of the Dublin city centre. Like the majority of Irish courses, it hosts both National Hunt and Flat racing. The cour ...

in September 2020. His first win at Royal Ascot as a trainer came in 2021, when Create Belief, ridden by stable jockey Ben Coen, won the Sandringham Stakes. Later that season, Sonnyboyliston provided the trainer with his first Irish Classic win when Coen rode him to victory in the

Irish St. Leger The Irish St Leger is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 6 furlongs (2,816 metres), and it i ...

Personal life

He is married to Orla, daughter of famous Tipperary hurler Michael "Babs" Keating, and has five children, Caroline, Charles, Lauren, Grace and Tom.

Major wins as a jockey

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel, the Irish Sea, and St George's Channel. Ireland is the s ...

Irish 1,000 Guineas The Irish 1,000 Guineas is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres), and it is schedule ...

– (1) – ''Again (2009)'' * Irish 2,000 Guineas – (3) – ''Black Minnaloushe (2001), Henrythenavigator (2008), Mastercraftsman (2009)'' * Irish Champion Stakes – (1) – ''

Timarida Timarida (11 April 1992 – after 2006) was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare bred and owned by the Aga Khan, who competed in six different countries and won major races in five of them. In a racing career which lasted from Marc ...

(1996)'' *

– (4) – '' Sinndar (2000), Alamshar (2003), Fame and Glory (2009), Cape Blanco (2010)'' *

Irish Oaks The Irish Oaks is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs (2,414 metres), and it ...

– (6) – ''Ebadiyla (1997), Winona (1998), Petrushka (2000),

Peeping Fawn Peeping Fawn (foaled January 15, 2004 in Kentucky) is a Champion Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. Unraced as a two-year-old, it took her four tries to break her maiden at age three. Her form then rapidly improved, reflected by a third-place ...

(2007), Moonstone (2008), Chicquita (2013)'' *

– (1) – ''Jukebox Jury (2011)'' * Matron Stakes – (3) – ''Timarida (1995),

Soviet Song Soviet Song (18 February 2000 – 16 November 2015) was a racehorse bred and owned by Elite Racing Club. She was foaled on 18 February 2000, sired by Marju (IRE) out of Kalinka (IRE) (Soviet Star). She raced in England, Ireland and France du ...

(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 – (2) – ''Takarouna (1993), Ambivalent (2013)'' *

Tattersalls Gold Cup The Tattersalls Gold Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 110 yards (2,112 ...

– (3) – ''Notnowcato (2007),

Duke of Marmalade Duke of Marmalade (12 March 2004 – 5 November 2021) was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He is best known for winning five consecutive Group One races in 2008, for which he was named European Champion Older Horse. Upon retirement at ...

(2008), Fame and Glory (2010)'' ----

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by to ...

E. P. Taylor Stakes The E. P. Taylor Stakes is a Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares held annually since 1956 in October at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is run on the E. P. Taylor turf course at a distance of miles. Originally run a ...

– (2) – ''Choc Ice (2001), Mrs Lindsay (2007)'' ----

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

* 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)'' *

– (1) – ''Sinndar (2000)'' *

Prix du Cadran The Prix du Cadran is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 4,000 metres (about 2 miles), and it is scheduled to tak ...

– (1) – ''Give Notice (2002)'' * Prix de Diane – (1) – ''Valyra (2012)'' * 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 The Prix de l'Opéra is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,000 metres (about 1¼ miles), and it ...

– (2) – ''

(1995), Petrushka (2000)'' * Prix Royal-Oak – (1) – ''Yeats (2008)'' * Prix Vermeille – (1) – ''Mrs Lindsay (2007)'' ----

Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwee ...

Bayerisches Zuchtrennen The Bayerisches Zuchtrennen is a Group 1 flat horse race in Germany open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Munich over a distance of 2,000 metres (about 1¼ miles), and it is scheduled to take place each year on the last Su ...

– (2) – ''

(1996), Greek Dance (2000)'' ----

Great Britain Great Britain is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of continental Europe. With an area of , it is the largest of the British Isles, the largest European island and the ninth-largest island in the world. It ...

– (2) – ''

Rock of Gibraltar The Rock of Gibraltar (from the Arabic name Jabel-al-Tariq) is a monolithic limestone promontory located in the British territory of Gibraltar, near the southwestern tip of Europe on the Iberian Peninsula, and near the entrance to the Medite ...

(2002), Henrythenavigator (2008)'' *

Ascot Gold Cup The Gold Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 2 miles 3 furlongs and 210 yards (4,01 ...

– (5) – ''Enzeli (1999), Royal Rebel (2001, 2002), Yeats (2008, 2009)'' *

Champion Stakes The Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlo ...

– (1) – ''Kalanisi (2000)'' * Cheveley Park Stakes – (2) – ''Lightening Pearl (2011), Rhosdu Queen (2012)'' *

Coronation Cup The Coronation Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 6 yards (2 ...

– (2) – '' Soldier of Fortune (2008)'', ''Fame and Glory (2010)'' * Coronation Stakes – (2) – ''Ridgewood Pearl (1995)'', ''Lillie Langtry (2010)'' *

Derby Derby ( ) is a city and unitary authority area in Derbyshire, England. It lies on the banks of the River Derwent in the south of Derbyshire, which is in the East Midlands Region. It was traditionally the county town of Derbyshire. Derby g ...

– (3) – '' Sinndar (2000),

(2002), Motivator (2005)'' *

Eclipse Stakes The Eclipse Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 1 mile, 1 furl ...

– (1) – ''Mount Nelson (2008)'' * Falmouth Stakes – (3) – ''Soviet Song (2004, 2005), Simply Perfect (2007)'' *

Fillies' Mile The Fillies' Mile is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres), and it is sched ...

– (1) – ''Listen (2007)'' *

Golden Jubilee Stakes The Platinum Jubilee Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. Three-year-olds foaled in the Southern Hemisphere are also eligible. It is run at ...

– (4) – ''Superior Premium (2000), Choisir (2003), Soldier's Tale (2007), Starspangledbanner (2010)'' *

Haydock Sprint Cup The Sprint Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Haydock Park over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres), an ...

– (1) – ''Gordon Lord Byron (2013)'' * International Stakes – (2) – ''Duke of Marmalade (2008)'', ''Rip Van Winkle (2010)'' *

July Cup The July Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run on the July Course at Newmarket over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres ...

– (2) – '' Frizzante (2004), Starspangledbanner (2010)'' * King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes – (4) – ''Alamshar (2003),

Dylan Thomas Dylan Marlais Thomas (27 October 1914 – 9 November 1953) was a Welsh poet and writer whose works include the poems " Do not go gentle into that good night" and " And death shall have no dominion", as well as the "play for voices" ''Und ...

(2007), Duke of Marmalade (2008), Novellist (2013)'' * King's Stand Stakes – (2) – ''Choisir (2003), Sole Power (2013)'' * 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 The Prince of Wales's Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile 1 furlong and 212 yards (2,004 ...

– (1) – ''Duke of Marmalade (2008)'' * Queen Anne Stakes – (2) – ''No Excuse Needed (2002),

Haradasun Haradasun (foaled 28 November 2003) was an Australian Thoroughbred racehorse. His most significant wins include the 2007 Group 1 Doncaster Handicap and George Ryder Stakes in Australia and the Queen Anne Stakes in Britain in 2008. Background H ...

(2008)'' * Queen Elizabeth II Stakes – (1) – ''Rip Van Winkle (2009)'' *

Racing Post Trophy The Vertem Futurity Trophy is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres), ...

– (2) – ''Dilshaan (2000), St Nicholas Abbey (2009)'' *

– (3) – ''Black Minnaloushe (2001), Henrythenavigator (2008), Mastercraftsman (2009)'' * Sussex Stakes – (3) – ''Soviet Song (2004), Henrythenavigator (2008), Rip Van Winkle (2009)'' *

Yorkshire Oaks The Yorkshire Oaks is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile 3 ...

– (3) – ''Key Change (1996), Petrushka (2000), Peeping Fawn (2007)'' ----

Hong Kong Hong Kong ( (US) or (UK); , ), officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China ( abbr. Hong Kong SAR or HKSAR), is a city and special administrative region of China on the eastern Pearl River Delt ...

Hong Kong Vase The Hong Kong Vase is a Group 1 flat horse race in Hong Kong which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 2,400 metres (about miles or 12 furlongs) at Sha Tin, and it is scheduled to take place each year ...

– (1) – ''Daliapour (2000)'' ----

United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates (UAE; ar, اَلْإِمَارَات الْعَرَبِيَة الْمُتَحِدَة ), or simply the Emirates ( ar, الِْإمَارَات ), is a country in Western Asia (The Middle East). It is located at th ...

* UAE 2,000 Guineas – (2) – ''Asiatic Boy (2007), Honour Devil (2008)'' *

UAE Derby The UAE Derby is a Group 2 flat horse race in the United Arab Emirates for three-year-old thoroughbreds run over a distance of 1,900 metres (approximately 9.5 furlongs) on dirt at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. It takes place annually during the ...

– (1) – ''Honour Devil (2008)'' ----

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

* Beverly D. Stakes – (1) – ''

(1996)'' *

Breeders' Cup Marathon The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes, is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds and up, and contested on dirt at usually at a distance of miles. The race has a purse of US$350,000. It is run as part of the undercar ...

– (1) – ''Man of Iron (2009)'' *

Breeders' Cup Mile The Breeders' Cup Mile is a Grade 1 Weight for Age stakes race for thoroughbred racehorses three years old and up, run on a grass course. It has been conducted annually as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships since the event's incept ...

– (1) – ''Ridgewood Pearl (1995)'' *

Breeders' Cup Turf The Breeders' Cup Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for three-year-olds and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The race's current ...

– (1) – ''Kalanisi (2000)'' ----

Major wins as a trainer

* Matron Stakes – (1) – '' Champers Elysees (2020)'' *

– (1) – '' Sonnyboyliston (2021)

References

External links

Johnny Murtagh – NTRA

{{DEFAULTSORT:Murtagh, Johnny 1970 births Living people Irish jockeys Irish racehorse trainers