Murtagh hit with bans totalling 23 days
The Meath man was in hot water with the Leopardstown Stewards after the opening two-year-old maiden, in which he finished sixth on Famous Seamus.
Murtagh was subsequently found guilty by the stewards of “striking” Smullen, rider of Polished Gem (which finished fifth), soon after the winning post.
The head-on video of the race showed that Murtagh apparently punched Smullen, presumably as a reaction to an incident during the race, into which the Stewards held a separate enquiry.
This incident, for which the stewards didn’t apportion blame, involved the horses ridden by Murtagh, Smullen, Valdir Rodrigo De Souza and apprentice Davy Moran.
Later in the afternoon, Murtagh admitted that he had struck out “in the heat of the moment” and apologised for his actions, while also indicating that he’ll consider an appeal.
Still reeling from the 21-day ban, Murtagh later rode the Eoin Griffin-trained Back To Paris to victory in the valuable August Handicap.
The former Jim Bolger-trained gelding then retained the spoils after a lengthy stewards enquiry. But Murtagh picked-up a further two-day ban, this time for careless riding, after Back To Paris drifted left and hampered Absolute Image.
Murtagh’s suspensions will start tomorrow week, August 23, the second day of the Tralee Festival, and will stretch until September 21, in the middle of the Listowel Festival.
This enforced ‘holiday’ will rule Murtagh out of a succession of top races. Probably the most significant single loss will be the ride on Epsom Derby winner Motivator in his planned clash with Azamour in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on September 10.
