Johnny Murtagh – The 2011 Irish Champion Jockey winner
Johnny Murtagh was crowned as the Irish Champion Jockey in 2011 because of his consistent performances. This was the fifth time in his career, when he was given this honour. He won some major events that year and is considered to be one of the best riders
at present.
The 42-year-old started off his career as a stable jockey in 1992 and won a lot of prestigious events since then. He won 18 Group-1 races for the Aga Khan until 2003, but parted ways afterwards.
However, the pair came together once again recently on which Murtagh commented, “I am thrilled to be renewing my association with His Highness' horses in Ireland We have shared some fantastic moments over the years and I have always enjoyed riding in the
green and red colours. This will also give me an opportunity to ride for John Oxx again.”
The veteran jockey added, “I started off riding for Mr Oxx and it has always been a pleasure to be part of his Currabeg team.”
Although Murtagh enjoyed a lot of success with the Aga Khan, yet his major performances came without this combination. He went onto win 47 Group-1 events between 2007 and 2010.
The 2011 season also proved to be a nice one for the talented jockey, as he succeeded in five important events that year. His first major victory came in the Investec Oaks with the Irish filly, Dancing Rain, who was not rated as the favourite to win.
This victory gave a lot of confidence to Murtagh and he went onto succeed in another Group-1 race at Curragh. He partnered Jukebox Jury in that event and the six-year-old horse was the joint winner with Duncan back then.
The Jaguar Cars Cheveley Park Stakes also went to the experienced jockey and he was once again successful in riding a non-favourite runner, Lightening Pearl, to the top, which was quite an impressive thing.
After these three Group-1 victories, the Irish jockey went onto win a couple of Group-2 events in 2011. These performances were more than enough to earn him the Irish Champion Jockey award. He has not been a lot consistent in the ongoing season, but still
has a chance to turn things around in the coming races.
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