Racing: After 14 years at the top of his game, Ballydoyle's number one rider Johnny Murtagh has teamed up with Horse Racing Ireland to become their Flat ambassador for the 2009 season.
The three-time Derby-winning jockey is set for a busy summer keeping the show rolling with Aidan O’Brien’s powerful yard, while also juggling the demands of family life with his wife Orla and their five children.
The 38-year-old becomes the first such professional ambassador for the Irish governing body and has cleared his diary to make way for personal appearances, interviews and even visits to pony clubs to expand the sport’s appeal.
“Racing has been very good to me and it is great to give something back, especially at this time when the world and racing is going through a recession,” said Murtagh. “We have got to get young people into racing. It is a good day out and a great social occasion.
“Often when people go once they get bitten by the bug and want to go back again and again.
“It is up to the people involved in racing, whether it be trainers, jockeys or the courses themselves, to put on a good show as there are so many other things that people can do instead.
“We keep saying that we are the best in the world, but we have to prove to everyone that we are and show that we are.
“Concerts, BBQ nights, family days and the likes all help and you need things like that to get people in.”
Having ridden his first winner for John Oxx nearly 22 years ago, Murtagh has risen through the racing ranks — spending several years working for Oxx before a stint freelancing.
He then received the magic invite to join the all-conquering Ballydoyle yard last spring in a personal phone call from Michael Tabor.
And he has not looked back, bagging 21 Group One races throughout 2008 and raising his profile on the international stage.