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Ireland
Johnny Murtagh is one of Ireland's most respected figures in Flat racing, having successfully transitioned from an elite jockey to a top-class trainer.
Born on 14th May 1970 in Navan, County Meath, Murtagh built his reputation in the saddle before establishing a thriving training operation at the Curragh.
Murtagh's journey into racing began in his youth, when his natural balance and athleticism were spotted at a boxing event, leading him to enrol at Ireland's Racing Academy and Centre of Education.
He was apprenticed to leading trainer John Oxx and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming champion apprentice and later a five-time Irish champion jockey.
Today, Murtagh operates his training business from the Curragh in County Kildare. His yard, Fox Covert Stables, benefits from extensive gallops and facilities that allow horses to be trained year-round.
The operation has a strong family dimension too. He is married to Orla, and together they have five children.
Before turning to training, Murtagh enjoyed a glittering riding career. He rode over 3,000 winners and chalked up 106 Group race victories. His achievements include winning all the Irish Classics, multiple Epsom Derbies, and Europe's premier race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
He was particularly dominant at Royal Ascot, where he rode 43 winners and captured every Group 1 race at the meeting, including five Gold Cups. Murtagh was also closely associated with amazing horses such as Sinndar, Yeats, and Mastercraftsman.
Murtagh took out his training licence in 2013 and made an immediate impact, saddling winners at Group level in his first season. His breakthrough at the highest level came in 2020 when Champers Elysees won the Group 1 Matron Stakes at Leopardstown.
A year later, Sonnyboyliston delivered his first Irish Classic victory in the Irish St Leger. He also achieved success at Royal Ascot when Create Belief won the Sandringham Stakes in 2021.
An interesting detail about Murtagh's early life is that he was a talented amateur boxer and even won an Irish under-14 title before pursuing racing, a background that helped shape his discipline and competitive mindset.
As both jockey and trainer, the Curragh remains central to his career, while Leopardstown has been the site of major victories such as the Matron Stakes.
Internationally, Royal Ascot stands out as his most successful stage, where he excelled both in the saddle and later as a trainer.
From a punting perspective, what tracks should you follow Murtagh at? Interestingly, Gowran Park is easily his favourite hunting ground, operating at an 18% strike-rate, with 56 winners from 307 runners and a brilliant level stakes profit of £52.56.
In Britain, the sample size for each track wouldn't be large enough yet but thus far he has a 50% return at both Bath and Southwell, and be sure to watch out if he ever sends a runner to Carlisle, where he has saddled three winners from seven runners to date.
