The Aga Khan Studs are pleased to announce that Johnny Murtagh will be retained to ride all their Irish-trained horses in 2011. This will include both the horses-in-training with John Oxx (90 horses) and with Michael Halford (30 horses). Johnny Murtagh was stable jockey to John Oxx from 1992 to 2003 and during this time he rode 18 Group 1 winners for His Highness the Aga Khan including Sinndar’s hat-trick of Group 1 wins in the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby and Arc in 2000.

His Highness the Aga Khan commented: “I am delighted to have secured a world class jockey like Johnny Murtagh as my retained rider in Ireland. We have had some wonderful days in the past and we look forward to renewing our successful association. I believe it is vital to the continued success of my bloodstock operation to have a retained jockey in the countries where my horses are trained. This has been the situation in France for many years and I am most pleased now to have a similar arrangement in Ireland”.

Johnny Murtagh said “I am thrilled to be renewing my association with His Highness’ horses in Ireland. We have shared some fantastic moments over the years and I have always enjoyed riding in the green and red colours. This will also give me an opportunity to ride for John Oxx again. I started off riding for Mr Oxx and it has always been a pleasure to be part of his Currabeg team.”

Christophe Lemaire is the retained rider for the French trained horses of His Highness the Aga Khan and he recently signed a two year contract running from 2011 to 2012.

Fran Berry had been the retained jockey to John Oxx since 2010 after spending several years as second jockey to Michael Kinane. The Aga Khan Studs would like to thank Fran for the many winners he has ridden in the Aga Khan’s colours and if the opportunity arises, he will be called upon to ride the Aga Khan Irish trained horses in the future.