Clean sweep of a worthy dozen

Throughout what has been probably the most successful season ever enjoyed by an Irish jockey, Johnny Murtagh has become well used to the interview process. It's to his credit then that his natural inclination is still to call a spade a shovel.

"Look, if racing in this country can't stick its chest out now and say it's the tops then it never can," the 31-year-old Derby and Arc winning rider proclaims. A point well made, although Murtagh isn't happy until he reaches for a shovel to hammer it home.

"What other sport are we, the Irish, world champions in?" he asks and waits for the inevitably sorry negative before continuing. "But in every aspect of racing we are the best in the world. In breeding, ownership, the top jockeys, the top trainers, stable lads that are prized all around the world. We've even got stewards that understand the game and are as good as stewards anywhere."

The ammunition for Murtagh's argument lies over every racecourse in Europe. At Cheltenham, where Istabraq completed his Champion Hurdle hat-trick; at Liverpool where Ted and Ruby Walsh proved that family lightning can strike twice; at York, Ascot and a multitude of other places where Giants Causeway fearlessly confronted opponents.

But if the year 2000 was remarkable for Irish racing, and it clearly was, then it's equally clear that the face of that success is Murtagh.

He has enjoyed a mind-boggling total of 12 Group One victories worldwide, highlighted by the brilliant Sinndar's success in the Epsom and Curragh Derbys, as well as the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. The statistics have produced worldwide acceptance of the Meath-born rider's status as a rider of the highest class. But the long-term impact of Murtagh's success could be the promotion of horseracing, the very sport he feels doesn't receive due attention or recognition. Who knows how many youngsters looked at Murtagh this year and thought "what if".

And Murtagh has achieved this by being himself. In a sport that contains almost as many hard faces as hard necks, the jockey has made no attempt to disguise his delight at victory.

There is a natural jauntiness about him that doesn't just come across in his riding. It is easy to recall the images of Murtagh, aboard Sinndar, beaming at Epsom, waving at the Curragh and orchestrating at Longchamp. Sinndar and John Oxx produced a wonderful success story. To the outsider Murtagh's openness made it even more enjoyable.

His refreshing attitude is partly a product of the redemptive aspect of the Murtagh tale. It's not that long ago that he searched for happiness through the bottom of a glass. Being reminded of that time doesn't thrill him.

"It's always brought up and I have to say I'm sick of it now. I know people love a big story and that time of my life adds to the story. But I don't know why everybody can't just go on from it. I never think of it now. I'm a better person for having gone through it all but I feel great now, in top shape, and it's not a factor in my life," he says.

That desire to look forward also influences his view of the weight issue. "It's just part of my job. Eighty per cent of jockeys have trouble with their weight. I walk for up to an hour a day and sweat for an hour a day in the sauna I've had built out the back. That's my office. It's just something that has to be done and I do it," he says, rejecting any misplaced sympathy for seemingly existing on a diet of fresh air and excitement. His view is the mount on a champion like Sinndar is worth the sacrifice, and who can argue with him?

"Sinndar was a jockey's dream. He was so straightforward and had everything a top horse needs. I have no doubt he would have won a Group One over a mile and a quarter, no problem. He was easily the best horse I've ever ridden," Murtagh says.

That's no bad tribute in a year which saw the Irish jockey on the top Oaks winning filly Petrushka, notching a second Breeders Cup success on Kalanisi and partnering the top European sprinter Namid. But Sinndar has to be the tops.

"On the podium, after Sinndar won the Arc, I was very close to tears," he remembers. "That stands out for me over the whole year as does winning the Champion Stakes on Kalanisi. I had my young son on the podium with me and then I looked down and saw my wife Orla and our daughter. It was the a first day at the races for the kids and I hope they can remember it because I'll never forget what they looked like that day."

Kalanisi is trained by Michael Stoute, who has developed into a friend as well as an employer for Murtagh since Kieren Fallon's early season injury. Murtagh has also become familiar with questions about a possible permanent move to the UK from his Kildare base. He plays a typically straight bat.

"I'm happy where I am. I'm not going to say yes or no about the future because you never know what can happen, but things are going great and I'm happy where I am. Hopefully I'll be able to ride at the big meetings in Britain and be competitive at them. Sort of like Mick Kinane a few years ago," he says.

It's a long odds-on shot that Murtagh's phone will be hopping like never before, but no jockey is ever likely to enjoy such a year as this one. "There have been so many highlights and so many great days that they are all very special to me," he says before laughingly reaching for another shovel: "And I've enjoyed them all."