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.
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