Mystery surrounds the termination yesterday of Johnny Murtagh’s contract as retained jockey for the Aga Khan’s Irish-trained horses.

Valyra, the unbeaten French Oaks winner, has been put down after suffering a serious injury while being prepared for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Jean-Claude Rouget has ruled out supplementing his unbeaten French Oaks heroine Valyra for the Darley-sponsored Irish equivalent at the Curragh next month.

French 1000 Guineas heroine Beauty Parlour was denied a Classic double as the Johnny Murtagh-ridden Valyra ran out a shock winner of the Prix de Diane at Chantilly yesterday.

Leading owner the Aga Khan holds a strong hand in the Prix de Diane – the French Oaks – at Chantilly tomorrow.