 Irish jockey Johnny Murtagh is the confirmed jockey for New Zealand-owned galloper Falkirk in his upcoming international racing campaign in Europe. Falkirk's part-owner Nelson Schick announced the riding engagement 10 days out from the Tale Of The Cat stallion's departure for England. Falkirk will tackle one or both of the Royal Ascot Global Sprint Challenge races. The first of these is the Gr. 2 King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 20 and the second one is the Gr. 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at Royal Ascot on June 24. Following these races a decision will be made whether or not Falkirk stays on to contest the Gr. 1 July Cup (1200m) run at Newmarket on July 14. Murtagh a leading European based jockey was successful on the original Australian trial blazer Choisir a couple of seasons ago in both the King Stand and Golden Jubilee Stakes. Murtagh has ridden the winners of numerous major races in Europe and the United States. These include two wins in the US Breeders Cup races - the first coming aboard Ridgewood Pearl in the 1995 Mile and then on Kalanisi in the 2000 Turf. Murtagh also won last year's Epsom Derby aboard Motivator. His other major wins include the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Sinndar, the Irish 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes on Black Minnaloushe, Epsom Derby on High Chaparral and the English 2000 Guineas on Rock of Gibraltar. PIC - Quentin Lang.
© Media Partner Published 17/05/06
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