Murtagh splits from Ballydoyle Johnny Murtagh has resigned from his position as first jockey at Ballydoyle. Murtagh's agent Eddie Byrne released a statement this afternoon saying that the three-year association with the Coolmore operation was to end. The statement said: "Johnny Murtagh has spoken to Mr John Magnier, Mr Derrick Smith, Mr Michael Tabor and Mr Aidan O'Brien today and informed them that he will not be renewing his contract to ride as stable jockey to Coolmore/Ballydoyle next season, 2011. "He would like to thank Mr Magnier, Mr Smith, Mr Tabor and Mr O'Brien for the wonderful and successful three years that we all enjoyed together and he wishes all of them, and their families, every success in the future. "He would also like to thank Mr David Wachman, Mr Charles O'Brien and Mr Tommy Stack, who also train Coolmore horses, and to wish them every success next season." The three-time Epsom Derby winning rider had nothing further to say on the matter. Today's decision follows mounting speculation about Murtagh's position. During his three years at Ballydoyle Murtagh enjoyed many big races victories on Ballydoyle-trained horses such as Yeats, Rip Van Winkle, Fame And Glory, Mastercraftsman, Henrythenavigator as well as this year's Irish Derby on Cape Blanco. His most recent Group 1 success for Ballydoyle came on Roderic O'Connor in the Group 1 Criterium International just eight days ago. William Hill are betting on Murtagh's replacement at Ballydoyle and they make Pat Smullen the 6-4 favourite to land one of racing's top jobs. French-based Belgian Christophe Soumillon is next best at 7-2, with Ryan Moore 5-1 and Kieren Fallon, who was given the job back in 2005, is 7-1 from 9-1. William Hill's Tony Kenny said: "We received numerous requests for the market on Sunday morning and at that stage we had a feeling there was something going on down in Ballydoyle. "Pat Smullen remains the favourite for the position, although we did see solid money for both Kieren Fallon and Colm O'Donoghue on Monday afternoon."
