Johnny Murtagh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Johnny Murtagh |
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Murtagh after winning the 2011 Epsom Oaks on Dancing Rain
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| Occupation | Jockey / trainer |
| Born | 14 May 1970 Navan, County Meath, Ireland |
| Significant horses | |
| Sinndar, Kalanisi, Choisir, Soviet Song, Henrythenavigator, Yeats, Fame and Glory, Dancing Rain | |
Johnny Murtagh, born on May 14, 1970, is a famous Irish trainer and former jockey in flat racing. He comes from Bohermeen, near Navan, County Meath. As a jockey, he won many of Europe's biggest flat races. These include all the major Irish races, all the top Group 1 races at Royal Ascot, and the famous Derby. He also won the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes and Europe's biggest race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Johnny was also named the best Irish flat racing jockey five times. Now, as a trainer based near Kildare, he has trained winners at Royal Ascot and an Irish Classic race.
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Johnny's Early Life
Johnny Murtagh was born in Navan, County Meath. When he was a young boy, he loved boxing. He was even the Irish boy's under-14 boxing champion once! He also almost joined the youth football team for Blackburn Rovers.
One evening, at a boxing match in his home county, someone told Johnny's mother that he had what it takes to be a great jockey. They noticed his good balance, strength, and courage. His mother then wrote to the Racing Academy and Centre of Education (RACE) in County Kildare. This school helps young people become apprentice jockeys. Johnny got a two-week trial there. He was one of 26 people who successfully completed the 10-month course. After the course, he started working for John Oxx, one of Ireland's top horse trainers.
Johnny's Career as a Jockey
Johnny Murtagh rode his very first winning horse, Chicago Style, at Limerick in 1987.
In 1992, he became the main jockey for John Oxx's stable. From then until 2003, he rode 18 Group 1 winners for Oxx's main horse owner, the Aga Khan.
For John Oxx, Johnny rode a horse named Sinndar to win the Derby and the Irish Derby. They also won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 2000. He won the Derby again in 2005 on a horse called Motivator. Johnny was also the regular jockey for a very talented female horse named Soviet Song. In 2004, they won two Group 1 races together, including the Sussex Stakes. In that race, Soviet Song beat many strong male horses.
From 2008 to 2010, Johnny was the main jockey for Coolmore, a very famous horse breeding and racing company. He had ridden for them sometimes since 2002, and famously won the Derby on High Chaparral in 2002. In 2008, he rode 19 Group 1 winners in just one season for Coolmore's trainer, Aidan O'Brien. In 2009, he won another 10 big races. These included the Irish Derby, Ascot Gold Cup, and a double win in the Irish 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas.
In November 2010, Johnny decided to stop being the main jockey for Coolmore. He said he would not renew his contract. His last big Group 1 win for them was on Roderic O'Connor in October 2010.
After leaving Coolmore, he started riding again for John Oxx. He also rode for another trainer named Mick Halford.
In February 2014, Johnny Murtagh announced that he would stop riding horses in races. He wanted to focus completely on his new career as a trainer.
Johnny's Career as a Trainer
Johnny Murtagh got his license to train horses in 2013. In his very first year, he trained horses to win a Group 2 race and two Group 3 races. He even rode the horses himself in some of these wins! His first Group 1 win as a trainer was with a horse called Champers Elysees in the Matron Stakes in September 2020.
In 2021, Johnny had his first win at Royal Ascot as a trainer. A horse named Create Belief, ridden by his stable jockey Ben Coen, won the Sandringham Stakes. Later that year, another horse he trained, Sonnyboyliston, gave him his first Irish Classic win. Ben Coen also rode Sonnyboyliston to victory in the Irish St. Leger.
Johnny's Personal Life
Johnny is married to Orla. Her father is Michael "Babs" Keating, a famous hurler from Tipperary. Johnny and Orla have five children: Caroline, Charles, Lauren, Grace, and Tom.
Major Wins as a Jockey
Johnny Murtagh won many important races during his career. Here are some of his most notable victories:
- Irish Derby – He won this race four times, including with Sinndar in 2000 and Fame and Glory in 2009.
- Irish Oaks – He won this race six times, more than any other Irish Classic!
- Derby (Epsom) – He won this famous British race three times, with Sinndar (2000), High Chaparral (2002), and Motivator (2005).
- Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe – He won Europe's biggest race with Sinndar in 2000.
- Ascot Gold Cup – He won this race five times, including twice with the legendary horse Yeats (2008, 2009).
- King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes – He won this major British race four times.
Major Wins as a Trainer
As a trainer, Johnny Murtagh has also achieved significant wins:
- Matron Stakes (Ireland) – He won this Group 1 race with Champers Elysees in 2020.
- Irish St. Leger – He won this Irish Classic race with Sonnyboyliston in 2021.
Images for kids
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Rock of Gibraltar
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Hawk Wing
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Redback
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Sinndar
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Sakhee
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Beat Hollow
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High Chaparral
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Moon Ballad
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Motivator
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Walk in the Park
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Dubawi
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Dancing Rain
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Wonder of Wonders
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Izzi Top
