'It's something I can't explain' - Murtagh delighted after Group 1 Matron strike

Johnny Murtagh, who won the world's best races as a jockey, recorded the biggest success of his training career when Champers Elysees landed Leopardstown's Matron Stakes on Saturday.

The 9-2 winner was ridden by Colin Keane and beat Peaceful with Fancy Blue third.

Among Ireland's greatest Flat jockeys, Murtagh was recognised with championship riding honours five times, won a brace of 2,000 Guineas, the Derby three times and has a Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe victory on his CV.

He quit the saddle in 2013 and started training, steadily making a success of his second vocation.

This year has been by far his best with a licence and Champers Elysees, a three-year-old who won a Curragh handicap off a mark of 86 in June, underlined that when producing a fine late run in the Group 1 Matron.

She has been a star this term for Murtagh, winning a Listed race at Galway and then a Group 3 at Gowran Park last time.

A strong field awaited, but she had too much for Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Peaceful and Fancy Blue, who earned top-level honours in the Prix de Diane and Nassau.

A delighted Murtagh, who also saddled Know It All to finish fourth, said: "People ask how you can compare training with riding, but you buy them at the sales or get sent them as yearlings. You break them in, set out a plan, and some hit the targets and some fall short, but these two fillies have progressed all year.

"The satisfaction as a trainer is something I can't explain; this is unbelievable.

"We've had a brilliant season and the good horses just seem to bring each other on. We had a good spring and managed Covid well, while I've very good staff and team – my wife and family – around me. This is not Johnny Murtagh, but the whole team."

Things might have been different with Champers Elysees, however.

"It just shows you need a bit of luck in this game," Murtagh explained. "She was sold twice and passed all the scans and x-rays, but is a bad trotter. Thankfully it's not a trotting race – you have to gallop and she is well able to gallop.

"There was a good pace on all the way and I thought Colin was in a good position. I saw Fancy Blue in front and thought would we get by, but she picked up well.

"She's got a very good turn of foot. People say she likes soft ground, but I think she can go on most ground and those horses with a turn of foot usually like better ground.

"She's got a great heart and wants to win. You can't see inside them, but when they have that, they're hard to beat."

Wichita (purple) just holds off One MasterCredit: Edward Whitaker

Dettori prevails - just

Frankie Dettori and Aidan O'Brien teamed up with Wichita to win the Group 2 Park Stakes on Doncaster's card, but it was a close-run thing with the 2,000 Guineas second only just holding on from the fast-finishing One Master.

"I'm glad he's got a big head," joked a relieved Dettori after the photo-finish was announced in his favour.

"I wasn't sure. He was just a bit lazy, but luckily the line came in time. I was confident I'd won. It's very hard to tell when it's that close, but he's a lovely horse and deserved it."

Wichita was cut to 10-1 (from 25) by Paddy Power for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Prix de la Foret & Breeders' Cup Mile.

Chindit (stripes) streaks past Albasheer (blue) and State of RestCredit: Edward Whitaker

More Champagne for Hannon

The Richard Hannon-trained Chindit earned a quote of 8-1 (from 12) with Betfair for next year's Qipco 2,ooo Guineas after winning the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster.

"He's very good and has got a really good head on his shoulders - everything you want in a good horse," said jockey Pat Dobbs.

"He travels and has got a good turn of foot when you need it."

Hannon was winning the race for the third time - the same total as his father Richard snr.

Cadillac motors home

There were also Classic quotes for Cadillac, who won the Group 2 Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown and is 12-1 (from 33) with Paddy Power and Betfair for the 2,000 Guineas.

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