Declan McDonogh to replace jockey, Johnny Murtagh, for Aga Khan’s Ireland operation
With the termination of eighteen-year association of the Italian, Frankie Dettori, from the Godolphin string, another seizure of a similar contract surfaced as the owner, Aga Khan, breached terms with the retained rider, Johnny Murtagh. The association of the latter could not have been as long as of the prior, and the grounds which negated mutual interest were different too.
Replacing the retained jockey’s void for His Highness will be the much accomplished and famous jockey, Declan McDonogh. His recruitment was followed after Johnny Murtagh and the employee parted ways in August, 2012.
The new prime jockey for the string was previously linked to the Kevin Prendergast stable and was the champion jockey of Ireland in 2006.The need for taking this step arose when Ursa Major won the Irish St Leger Trial. Contesting in the same race was Aga Khan’s favourite entry, Hartani, while the winner, Ursa Major, was reported to be from a yard owned by Johnny Murtagh, where the horses there are trained by, Tommy Carmody.
When under the contract of the Aga string, the jockey won for them the Derby, the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe and the Irish Derby.
The replacing jockey in no less competitive as he has under his belt many Group 1 titles, Rebelline, Termagant, Kingsfort and La Collina.
As for now, the thirty-two-year-old jockey has a month’s license to race in Japan and will report to the new retainers in January next season. It is a change that many and all are looking forward to.
Any retention plans or news for Johnny Murtagh have not made news yet.
Pat Downes, who is the bloodstock manager for Aga Khan in Ireland stated:
"He has ridden for us in the past and rode a few winners for us at the back-end of the 2012 season including Zand who looked a nice prospect when he won his two year old maiden at Leopardstown last month.”
"We have a nice team of horses for next season and we're looking forward to the new arrangement. Declan will be riding the team we have with John Oxx.”
McDonogh said: "I'm thrilled at getting the job with His Highness and it will be an honour and a privilege to be riding regularly in the famous green and red colours next year.”
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