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Mid-Season Break For Tahiyra Ahead Of Likely Matron Stakes Tilt On ICW

Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) has returned home to Gilltown Stud for a well-deserved break after her Royal Ascot heroics and, according to Pat Downes, the triple Group 1 winner could kick-start her autumn campaign in the G1 Matron S. at Leopardstown on Irish Champions Weekend.

Downes, the Aga Khan's manager of the Irish studs, has said that the most impressive aspect of Tahiyra's G1 Coronation S. success was the fact that Dermot Weld's charge was able to win despite the race not being run to suit.

Downes said, “We were delighted with her performance at Ascot. It was a bit of a muddling race. It got very tactical and there wasn't much pace. That didn't suit us and we'd have preferred a stronger gallop. But she travels and she quickens and she was able to overcome a messy race which was obviously very pleasing for us.”

He added, “The good horses overcome things like that. If some issues present themselves in a race, they find a way of winning, don't they?”

Downes revealed that Tahiyra will have an easy couple of weeks before rejoining Weld with a view towards a busy autumn campaign.

He explained, “She will be here for a couple of weeks. We wouldn't give her any longer–she might do too well if we did! It's lovely to have her back here and the staff are delighted to see her. Hopefully she will have a nice couple of weeks and head back down to Rosewell House.”

Downes added on the Irish 1,000 Guineas winner, “The Matron is pretty much the way we are looking at the moment and then we can have a discussion about what comes after that. There are a lot of options on the table for her.”

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Johnny Murtagh to Train for HH The Aga Khan

Five-time Irish Champion Jockey Johnny Murtagh, who has been training since 2013, will join the roster of HH The Aga Khan’s trainers in Ireland, The Aga Khan Studs announced on Tuesday. Trainer of this season’s G1 Matron S. heroine Champers Elysees (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}), Murtagh was stable jockey to John Oxx from 1992 until 2003 and rode many winners in the iconic green and red colours, among them English and Irish Derby hero Sinndar (Ire) (Grand Lodge). Murtagh was also retained jockey for His Highness The Aga Khan in 2011 and 2012 and was aboard 16 Group 1 winners in total for the organisation.

“We have watched Johnny’s training career develop over the last few years and undoubtedly 2020 has been a highly successful year for him,” said Pat Downes, manager of the Aga Khan Studs in Ireland. “We are delighted to have the opportunity to have him train for the Aga Khan Studs and we will be sending him some yearlings in the coming weeks. His Highness and Johnny have enjoyed some great days in the past together and hopefully there will be good days to look forward to in the future as well.”

“I am delighted to renew our partnership with H.H. the Aga Khan and his team,” said Murtagh. “A hugely successful owner-breeder operation worldwide, I look forward to receiving his draft of yearlings here at Fox Covert Stables and hopefully many winners to come, to add to our great association together.”

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Retired Champion Jockey Johnny Murtagh Joins Trainer Roster For Aga Khan Studs

The Aga Khan Studs are delighted to announce that Johnny Murtagh is to join their roster of trainers in Ireland alongside Dermot Weld and Michael Halford, and will receive a draft of yearlings this year.

Five-time Irish Champion jockey Johnny Murtagh took out his trainers' license in 2013 and has quickly met with success. The Kildare-based professional recently won his first Group 1 victory as a trainer thanks to Champers Elysees in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown during Irish Champions Weekend.

During his illustrious career as a jockey, Johnny Murtagh enjoyed success in the most prestigious races, including all the Irish Classics, all the Group 1 contests at Royal Ascot, the Derby, King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Breeders' Cup Turf and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Johnny Murtagh was closely associated to the Aga Khan Studs during his period as stable jockey to John Oxx from 1992 until 2003, famously partnering Champion racehorse SINNDAR to dual Derby heroics in Epsom and Ireland, and culminating with victory in the Arc in 2000.

In 1996, Murtagh rode the great TIMARIDA to three wins at the highest level, while other notable horses during this period were KALANISI (Champion Stakes and Breeders' Cup Turf),

Enzeli (Ascot Gold Cup) and Alamshar (Irish Derby and King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes).

The jockey renewed his link with the Aga Khan Studs, as retained jockey for the owner/breeder in 2011 and 2012, and lifted the Prix de Diane in 2012 in the saddle of Valyra. In total, Murtagh rode 16 G1 winners in the green and red silks of H.H. the Aga Khan, and a new chapter in this successful association will begin with his first runners in 2021.

“We have watched Johnny's training career develop over the last few years and undoubtedly 2020 has been a highly successful year for him,” said Pat Downes, manager of the Aga Khan Studs in Ireland. “We are delighted to have the opportunity to have him train for the Aga Khan Studs and we will be sending him some yearlings in the coming weeks. His Highness and Johnny have enjoyed some great days in the past together and hopefully there will be good days to look forward to in the future as well.”

\“I am delighted to renew our partnership with H.H. the Aga Khan and his team,” said Murtagh. “A hugely successful owner/breeder operation worldwide, I look forward to receiving his draft of yearlings here at Fox Covert Stables and hopefully many winners to come, to add to our great association together.“

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