Cochrane to book Murtagh rides

Leading jockey Johnny Murtagh has confirmed that Ray Cochrane will be his new agent for the forthcoming Flat season.

The Irish rider intends to commute between the UK and Ireland and ex-jockey Cochrane, who also acts for Frankie Dettori and Jamie Spencer, will book his mounts in both places.

Murtagh, who won the Irish Derby and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes for John Oxx on Alamshar last year, this week confirmed that he will ride for Newmarket trainer David Loder this year.

He intends to base himself in Ireland, however, and will freelance in his native country.

He has been replaced as Oxx’s stable jockey by Michael Kinane, having struggled with his weight as a result of a back injury picked up at Royal Ascot last summer.

Kinane has been replaced as Aidan O’Brien’s jockey at Ballydoyle by Spencer.

Murtagh’s Irish representative had been Eddie Byrne.