Classic Murtagh takes the Irish Oaks

Bohermeen man Johnny Murtagh once again proved that he is the man for the big race when he won the Irish Oaks for the sixth time at The Curragh on Saturday with a filly that hadn’t even won on the track before.

Murtagh, who saddled his first winner as a trainer at the beginning of June at tramore, is still much-sought after by some of the top trainers and on Saturday he partnered Chicquita to victory for French trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre.

The Meath man also had to endure a stewards enquiry after his mount drifted to the left in the closing stages.

Murtagh would have been aware of the likely antics of his partner as she fell on her second start at Saint-Cloud last May when she drifted to the right and collided with a hedge, but she also finished second in the French Oaks at Chantilly.

Murtagh went for his race about two furlongs from home and had Chicquita on the rail, but she still drifted left across the path of runner-up Venus De Milo and Seamus Heffernan.

 

Conall Collier