Murtagh Takes Group I Aboard Recital

Jockey Johnny Murtagh partnered Recital to an easy five-length victory in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud (Fr-I) Nov. 13, putting an exclamation point on what may be the final group I win in his longtime partnership with trainer Aidan O’Brien and Coolmore Stud.

Murtagh announced earlier this week that he was stepping down as the retained jockey for the Ballydoyle yard, ending a successful three-year run with O’Brien that saw them team up for 39 group I victories.  

Recital was one of three colts in the race for O’Brien, who has now captured the Criterium four times in the last nine years.  Recital, a son of Montjeu, entered the race off of a one-mile maiden win at Navan Oct. 20.  He was sent off as the 3-1 second choice in the field of 10, with favoritism going to the Elie Lellouche-trained Prairie Star, winner of the Prix de Conde (Fr-III) in his last start.