NEWS
Murtagh, O’Brien take Irish championships
Posted: Friday, November 27, 2009 4:16 PM
Johnny Murtagh, first call rider for Aidan O’Brien’s powerful Ballydoyle stable, won Ireland’s jockey championship after 2007 and ’08 champion Pat Smullen failed to surpass him on Friday night at Dundalk.
Murtagh completed the season with 93 winners in Ireland and added his fourth jockey title. He previously won the title in 1995, ’96, and ’98.
O’Brien had 86 winners for his 15th training title. He and Murtagh teamed to win top level victories in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Ire-G1) with Fame And Glory and the Boylesports.com Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1) with Mastercraftsman (Ire). Murtagh took the Boylesports.com Irish One Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1) on Again for trainer David Wachman.
Gary Carroll, who rode Sesenta to victory in the prestigious Totesport Ebor Handicap at York in August, was Ireland’s top apprentice jockey. Derrick Smith was the top owner, England’s Press Association reported.
