Johnny Murtagh: 'I’m sick of everybody saying you had a great career as a jockey; that’s in the past'

Even if there had been a capacity crowd at Leopardstown, Murtagh’s cheers would have been heard above the masses

Sun, 13 Sep, 2020 - 15:20

Tommy Lyons

Passionately and ceaselessly ambitious about being as successful a trainer as he was a jockey, Johnny Murtagh took another step forward in his nascent training career when Champers Elysees gave him a first Group 1 success by winning the Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes.

Even if there had been a capacity crowd at Leopardstown, Murtagh’s cheers would have been heard above the masses. The heart-on-his-sleeve trainer unashamedly filled the empty grandstand with noise as Colin Keane rode the progressive filly to a fourth win of the season.