GERMANS SINK JOHNNY
Murtagh ruled out of ride on Novellist in Arc prep
JOHNNY MURTAGH’s hopes of retaining the ride on King George winner Novellist in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe have been dented by news that he is unlikely to be able to partner the colt in its final prep race.
German trainer Andreas Wohler nominated the Prix Foy at Longchamp and, most probably, the Grosser Preis Von Baden at Baden-Baden as options for Novellist before the Arc.
But German racing rules prevent Murtagh riding in their country because he now also holds a trainer’s licence.
The case once again highlights the unsatisfactory situation, raised recently in relation to drug and medication use arising out of the Godolphin anabolic steroid scandal, of nations operating their own set of racing rules.
Murtagh, who landed his fourth King George on the impressive Novellist at Ascot in a time that cut two seconds off Harbinger’s 2010 record, had only been third choice for the ride after Ryan Moore, who was third on Sir Michael Stoute’s Hillstar, and William Buick became unavailable.
Now the in-form jockey faces the probability of one of the pair being called up again.
Wohler said: ‘We will probably go for Baden-Baden i nstead of going to France for a prep race, but we haven’t discussed who will ride the horse next time.
‘Because Johnny is a trainer as well as a jockey we wouldn’t be allowed to put him on the horse there. Those are the rules in Germany.
‘We don’t want to mess around much. We will have to see. The owner went on holiday after Ascot and when he comes back we will discuss it.’
Wohler indicated he would be happy for Murtagh to be on board in the Arc at Longchamp in October, but prising Moore, Buick or another rival jockey off a colt who is disputing Arc favouritism at 5-1 might not be straightforward if the combination win at Baden-Baden. Murtagh, who took out a training licence in May, has enjoyed a fruitful season in the saddle.
Saturday’s win was his fourth Group One of the season and came only a week after he won the Irish Oaks on Chicquita.
Murtagh said: ‘I hope I’ll ride him in the Arc as I think he’s got exactly what it takes.’
Buick may have missed a Group One opportunity on Saturday but he secured another for boss John Gosden at Deauville yesterday on Elusive Kate.
The filly beat Duntle two-and-a-half lengths on rain-softened ground thought to be against her to win the Prix Rothschild for the second year running.
It was a fourth Group One win for the filly, whose next run is likely to be in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown in September.
Gosden said The Fugue will miss Saturday’s Group One Nassau Stakes at Goodwood.