Smullen favoured to replace Murtagh at Ballydoyle
Murtagh issued a statement through his agent, Eddie Byrne, which said: “Johnny has spoken today to Mr John Magnier, Mr Derrick Smith, Mr Michael Tabor and Mr Aidan O’Brien and informed them he will not be renewing his contract to ride as stable jockey to Ballydoyle-Coolmore for next season, 2011.
“He would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Magnier, Mr Smith, Mr Tabor and Mr O’Brien for the wonderful and successful three years they had together and to wish 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 for Coolmore, and to wish them every success next season.”
Inevitably now thoughts will turn to Murtagh’s replacement, with William Hill installing Pat Smullen as the 6-4 favourite. He is followed by Christophe Soumillon (7-2) and Ryan Moore (5-1).
Smullen has been Dermot Weld’s stable jockey for 12 years and, of course, he and Aidan O’Brien are married to sisters.
Moore, a quite brilliant rider, was the medium of mounting rumours in the summer that he had been offered, and turned down, the job for next season.
Murtagh’s future at Ballydoyle had been questioned for much of the current campaign and he, reportedly, had not ridden out at the world famous training centre since Irish Derby weekend.
In the second half of the season in particular he repeatedly found himself, at least in lesser races, riding the Ballydoyle ‘second string.’
Frequently, what might generally be regarded as the Ballydoyle first string, would be partnered by Aidan O’Brien’s teenage son, Joseph, who is currently battling it out with Ben Curtis and Gary Carroll for the apprentice championship.
Murtagh probably felt undermined and yesterday clearly decided enough was enough.
No comment was forthcoming from Ballydoyle last night, although there were indications that Murtagh’s action came as something of a surprise.
Murtagh, who is 40 years-of-age, rode his first winner, Chicago Style, at Limerick as a 17-year-old in 1987.
He was champion apprentice at 19 and became first jockey to John Oxx at 22. But later he developed alcohol and weight problems and lost the Oxx job.
He overcame those demons and, supported by Oxx and the Aga Khan, fought back to be champion jockey in ‘95, ‘96 and ‘98.
In January of 2008 he was appointed as the Ballydoyle-Coolmore number one and, after two great years and a less than satisfactory one this year, it all turned sour yesterday.
Murtagh is very much regarded as the man for the big occasion. He has won the Epsom Derby three times, on Sinndar and Alamshar and once for Ballydoyle with High Chaparral.
He has two English 2000 Guineas to his credit, both for Aidan O’Brien, with Rock Of Gibraltar and Henrythenavigator.
He has also landed the King George at Ascot three times and the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sinndar in 2000.
He has enjoyed success in the Irish Derby on four occasions, twice for Oxx with Sinndar and Alamshar, and twice for O’Brien, with Fame And Glory and Cape Blanco.
He has also won the Irish Oaks five times, the 2000 Guineas three times and the 1000 Guineas once.
Murtagh is married to Orla, a daughter of Tipperary hurling legend, Babs Keating, and the couple have five children.
He will ride for Ballydoyle until the end of the season and will be in action at Dundalk on Friday night and will also be aboard the juvenile Recital in a Group 1 in France, at Saint-Cloud, at the weekend.
