Murtagh vows to stay at top
Johnny Murtagh has declared his intention to continue competing at the top level next season despite being replaced by Michael Kinane as stable jockey to John Oxx.
“There’s nothing else I’d want to do. I’ve got an all-or-nothing personality. I want to do it right or not at all,” the jockey says in an interview in the Irish Racing Yearbook 2004.
Murtagh was dogged by weight problems following a fall at Royal Ascot and ended the Irish Flat season a week early.
The rider also took a three-week break in August to have treatment on a back injury, which had prevented him from maintaining his strict fitness regime.
The Yearbook contains an interview with Jamie Spencer, who has succeeded Kinane as first jockey to the Aidan O’Brien stable at Ballydoyle.
O’Brien names his Classic prospects for next season, while other leading Irish and English trainers give a rundown of their main hopes.
Another feature in the 160-page publication is an interview with the Aga Khan in which he offers advice to small breeders.
