Mike de Kock and Johnny Murtagh close Arlington Million chapter

Johnny Murtagh aboard Peeping Fawn winning the Darley Yorkshire Oaks
(BBC)

Mike de Kock has reacted to press reports about his criticism of jockey Johnny Murtagh’s ride on Mount Nelson in last Saturday’s Arlington Million in Chicago.

Mike de Kock Racing reports,”Mike de Kock insisted after the race that Johnny Murtagh kept his runner, Archipenko, trapped between Mount Nelson and the rail, despite jockey Kevin Shea’s efforts to move out of the ‘’box’’ for his finishing run.

Mike de Kock said: “What happened has been blown out of proportion. My words were spoken after the race, in the heat of the moment. There were a few press reporters around me who picked up on it and most of them agreed with me at the time.”

“My opinion of Johnny Murtagh remains the same. He is a genius and one of the best jockeys I’ve seen. It is due to my high regard for him and our personal relationship that I got so upset.”

“We came a long way with Archipenko to win a major race, a big event for us and perhaps a lesser one for the bigger stables. But it’s over now, the numbers are in the frame and to my mind it’s case closed.’’

Johnny Murtagh told the Irish Independent that “The Arlington Million is gone, it’s in the past now. I have ridden for Mike de Kock in Dubai and expect to do so again.”