Murtagh to link up with Loder
The Newmarket trainer celebrated his return to the ranks of public trainers by saddling a double at Lingfield on Wednesday, and his partnership with Murtagh adds an exciting dimension to the forthcoming Flat season.
Loder vacated the Godolphin Stables in the Bury Road at the end of a five-year contract with Sheikh Mohammed last autumn and is now based at the Egerton Stud, where he has 150 horses, 90 of which are two-year-olds.
Murtagh himself left his role as first jockey to John Oxx at the end of last season, having struggled with his weight as a result of a back injury he picked up at Royal Ascot.
Speaking from his Kildare home, he said: “I will continue to be based in Ireland, but have agreed with Mr Loder that I will ride for him when I am available.”
Murtagh intends to ride freelance in Ireland and travel to Britain and back in a similar way to Ruby Walsh, who rides for Paul Nicholls in the jumps season.
However, Murtagh would make no comment regarding reports that he is to use the services of Ray Cochrane as his agent in Britain next season.
The rider has enjoyed tremendous success over the last few seasons, partnering both Sinndar (2000) and High Chaparral (2002) to success in the Vodafone Derby.
He also rode Sinndar to victory in the Irish Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe that year and partnered Rock Of Gibraltar to glory in the 2000 Guineas in 2002.
Last season he won the Irish Derby and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes on Oxx’s Alamshar.
“Johnny has been doing very well and his weight is grand,” said his Irish representative Eddie Byrne. “He is taking exercise and getting into shape for the season.”
