Johnny Murtagh Retires

JOHNNY MURTAGH, one of the top jockeys of his generation, has told the Racing Post that he is retiring from race-riding to concentrate on his training career.
Murtagh bows out after an incredible 2013 during which he rode a string of big-race winners headlined by Novellist's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes triumph and four Royal Ascot successes including Sole Power's dramatic King's Stand Stakes victory.
In a career spanning 26 years Murtagh, who will be 44 this year, won three Derbys, four Irish Derbys and five Gold Cups, including two on the great Yeats.
"I went for a run the other day and during it I started to think about the amount of effort that I have to put in this season and I just don't think I have the time to give to being a jockey any more," said Murtagh, who rode 106 top-level winners and started training last year.
"We have a lot on this season, with 24 new stables here and 45 horses riding out. I didn't want to give riding 30 per cent and training 70 per cent. All my life it has been 100 per cent or nothing."
 
One of the best big race jockeys of the last 30 years.Absolutely deadly when given an uncontested lead -there was nobody better on big race days at The Curragh.
His father in law is a complete prick.
 
Top top jock and seems like a thoroughly nice bloke as well. Wish him all the success in training, surprised he's given up the saddle given the season he had last year.
 
Always came across as a fair bit brighter and likeable than most in the game (not difficult maybe) Excellent jockey of course. Really wish him well and sense he will have to be followed
 
Aragorn said:
Top top jock and seems like a thoroughly nice bloke as well. Wish him all the success in training, surprised he's given up the saddle given the season he had last year.
Click to expand...

Nice to see him go out at the top of his game.I wouldn't be surprised if he eventually gets a few horses from the Aga Khan.
 
Always admired him as a top jock for the top races. Best of luck to him with the training career. I'm sure we will hear loads more about him in that department also !!!!!
 
LUKE said:
Nice to see him go out at the top of his game.I wouldn't be surprised if he eventually gets a few horses from the Aga Khan.
Click to expand...

Agree but expect he would have carried on in the same vein at the top this year. He's no spring chicken but he was still one of the best.
 
He won on a horse of my Mum's at Sandown and I just remember him as being a top bloke. Even after the race was over and done he spent time stood near the weighing room talking to me about the cricket match that was on that day, I must have been about 15. Him and Frankie by far the nicest jocks I've been fortunate enough to meet. Class bloke and class jockey over the years. The Ascot where he won everything was also one of my first, great memories. I'd say he was the best fit that Ballydoyle have had in recent times. He'll make a great trainer and I hope he attracts some of Ireland's biggest owners, be nice for Magniers to send him some as I don't think they fell out, did they?
 
Last edited:
Simon said:
He won on a horse of my Mum's at Sandown and I just remember him as being a top bloke. Even after the race was over and done he spent time stood near the weighing room talking to me about the cricket match that was on that day, I must have been about 15. Him and Frankie by far the nicest jocks I've been fortunate enough to meet. Class bloke and class jockey over the years. The Ascot where he won everything was also one of my first, great memories. I'd say he was the best fit that Ballydoyle have had in recent times. He'll make a great trainer and I hope he attracts some of Ireland's biggest owners, be nice for Magniers to send him some as I don't think they fell out, did they?
Click to expand...

Nice
 
As a man who had his demons and dealt with them he deserves great credit.
Huge credit also to John Oxx who helped him through the dark days having seen the talent and not wanting to see it wasted.
He is the real hero in this success story imo.
 
Des Scahill was also influential in keeping him on the straight and narrow.

Murtagh went through a phase when he could find trouble in a 3 runner race but he matured to be one of the greatest jocks around and very reliable on the big day, just like Kinane and Swinburn.
 
Back
Top