Trainer Johnny Murtagh is over the moon the renew his partnership with the Aga Khan as the jockey turned handler will add horses from the owner in the 2021 flat season.
As a jockey, Murtagh enjoyed some of his best days in the saddles for the well known owner, winning the 2000 Derby at Epsom on Sinndar, with whom he also went on to follow up in the Irish version and win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe for trainer John Oxx.
Timarida, Alamshar, Enzeli and Kalanisi are other horses that the trainer used to ride for the ownership and managed to land Group One glory over the years.
This season, Murtagh finally broke his duck in black type company as a trainer as Champers Elysees landed the Group One Matron Stakes on the first day of Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown.
Off the back of that it seems he will be attracting better runners to his yard where he can replicate his wins in the saddle.
🥊 Champers Elysees vs Peaceful!
— The Winners Enclosure (@TWEnclosure) October 3, 2020
The pair locked horns last month with Johnny Murtagh's rapidly improving filly running on late to deny Ballydoyle 🐎💨
🤔 Can she confirm the form and remain unbeaten this term in the 14:45 at Newmarket?!
🎬 @RacingTVpic.twitter.com/3fhR7QMxPN
(Credit ATR) Murtagh said: “I am delighted to renew our partnership with H.H. the Aga Khan and his team.
“A hugely successful owner-breeder operation worldwide, I look forward to receiving his draft of yearlings here at Fox Covert Stables and hopefully many winners to come, to add to our great association together.“
Pat Downes, manager of the Aga Khan Studs in Ireland, said on www.agakhanstuds.com: “We have watched Johnny’s training career develop over the last few years, and undoubtedly 2020 has been a highly successful year for him.
“We are delighted to have the opportunity to have him train for the Aga Khan Studs, and we will be sending him some yearlings in the coming weeks.
“His Highness and Johnny have enjoyed some great days in the past together, and hopefully there will be good days to look forward to in the future as well.”
Murtagh will join other trainer Dermot Weld and Mick Halford in taking charge if the owners horses in Ireland.