Racing: The former champion jockey Johnny Murtagh will ride for the top Newmarket trainer David Loder in the upcoming flat season. Murtagh confirmed the arrangement yesterday but stressed that he will also continue to ride in Ireland as a freelance.
Murtagh lost his job as stable jockey to John Oxx when Michael Kinane took over at the end of last season after leaving Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle yard. Jamie Spencer has taken over there and his moving had left a vacancy at Loder's.
Speculation had grown in recent weeks that Murtagh was in line for the job and he confirmed the link up.
"I will continue to be based in Ireland but I have agreed with Mr Loder that I will ride for him when available," Murtagh said.
Weight difficulties have plagued the jockey who has won two Epsom Derbys and a Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in the last four seasons but his agent said yesterday that that problem is under control.
"John has been going very well and his weight is good. He is taking exercise and getting into shape for the season," said Eddie Byrne. Murtagh wouldn't comment on reports that suggest he will be linking up with Frankie Dettori's agent Ray Cochrane in Britain but there are sure to be plenty of opportunities at the Loder stable itself. There are a total of 150 horses being trained by Loder including 90 two year olds.
Other news yesterday emerged from the Turf Club who have set up an All-Weather Review Group to see if there are circumstances that would allow jump racing on an artificial surface in the future in Ireland.
The eight-man group is chaired by Michael Keogh and will include trainer Noel Meade, former jockey Norman Williamson and the Inspector of Courses Bill McLernon.
Irish permit holder Ger Farrell was fined a total of £1,150 by the Jockey Club's disciplinary panel yesterday after an inquiry into events surrounding the running of Precious Music at Doncaster nearly a year ago.
The gelding finished unplaced in the skybet.com Great Yorkshire Chase on January 25th 2003, after which he produced a urine sample containing theobromine above the agreed threshold level.
