Murtagh lands Halford rides

JOHNNY MURTAGH has enlarged his portfolio of rides next season by agreeing to ride for Mick Halford’s yard when he is available.

The rider moved to Britain last term when originally signing for David Loder, but after the pair split, he enjoyed a particularly fruitful partnership with James Fanshawe, with big race successes on Soviet Song and Frizzante. He will continue to ride for Fanshawe during the Flat season, but is to shortly start riding out for Halford to get himself race-ready.

“Johnny will begin riding work on Monday morning and he is due to ride six mornings a week,” said Halford. “He’s agreed to ride all my horses when he’s in Ireland this season.”

Fanshawe added: “Johnny came and saw me the other weekend. He will be riding for the stable next season, but his wife is pregnant in Ireland, and he wants to get himself fit with Mick Halford. The plan is for him to ride for me and Amanda Perrett this year, and to ride for Mick on Sundays.”