noelyf
VIP Member
Monday 8 November 2010
Johnny Murtagh with Ballydoyle trainer Aidan O'Brien
Johnny Murtagh with Aidan and Joseph O'Brien
Johnny Murtagh has quit his job as Coolmore/Ballydoyle stable jockey.
The move was officially confirmed in a statement released by his agent, Eddie Byrne, this afternoon.
It said: 'Johnny Murtagh has spoken to Mr John Magnier, Mr Derrick Smith, Mr Michael Tabor and Mr Aidan O'Brien today and informed them that he will not be renewing his contract to ride as stable jockey to Coolmore/Ballydoyle next season, 2011.
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 Coomore-owned horses.
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 October 31.
The statement added: '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.'
There had been speculation that the Meathman 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 while it has also been speculated that Kieren Fallon could make a return to the job.
Joseph O'Brien, son of trainer Aidan, has also been riding more of Ballydoyle's first string this season.
Murtagh has been the retained jockey at Ballydoyle since 2008, when he replaced Fallon.
Johnny Murtagh with Ballydoyle trainer Aidan O'Brien
Johnny Murtagh with Aidan and Joseph O'Brien
Johnny Murtagh has quit his job as Coolmore/Ballydoyle stable jockey.
The move was officially confirmed in a statement released by his agent, Eddie Byrne, this afternoon.
It said: 'Johnny Murtagh has spoken to Mr John Magnier, Mr Derrick Smith, Mr Michael Tabor and Mr Aidan O'Brien today and informed them that he will not be renewing his contract to ride as stable jockey to Coolmore/Ballydoyle next season, 2011.
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 Coomore-owned horses.
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 October 31.
The statement added: '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.'
There had been speculation that the Meathman 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 while it has also been speculated that Kieren Fallon could make a return to the job.
Joseph O'Brien, son of trainer Aidan, has also been riding more of Ballydoyle's first string this season.
Murtagh has been the retained jockey at Ballydoyle since 2008, when he replaced Fallon.
