'I looked over the edge - that's how close I got. It scares me to think it now'
Racing writer of the year Lee Mottershead hears how a racing legend was saved
The programme you will see is one Johnny Murtagh wanted to be made. It is about him but not for him. This is no vanity project. From someone who once teetered on the brink of tragedy, it is an attempt to offer the sort of help that once turned his own life around. Like the man himself, the documentary is inspirational.
Until the London screening on Thursday afternoon, Murtagh had not seen the finished product. He knew its contents all too well.
The 51-year-old was one of the most accomplished big-race riders in Flat racing history, winning the Derby on three occasions and taking the Irish champion jockey crown five times. He was retained by Coolmore and the Aga Khan, became the go-to man for some of the world's leading trainers and won just about every major prize worth winning. He did it all as an alcoholic.
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Published on inInterviews
Last updated
Copy- 'You can see why people end up struggling - when you're trying to pay the electric bill, losing one ride can be massive'
- 'I've never paid six figures for a horse and never will - I learned pretty quickly you're only one phone call away from f*** all'
- 'I’ve trained some fabulous horses, worked with some excellent riders - maybe I have brought a little bit of talent to the table as well'
- ‘When you’re in the moment and you’re starved, you’re ready to explode - everything built up and I just lost my s**t’
- 'He must have his breakfast earlier than Willie does' - Patrick Mullins goes behind enemy lines at Gordon Elliott's yard
- 'You can see why people end up struggling - when you're trying to pay the electric bill, losing one ride can be massive'
- 'I've never paid six figures for a horse and never will - I learned pretty quickly you're only one phone call away from f*** all'
- 'I’ve trained some fabulous horses, worked with some excellent riders - maybe I have brought a little bit of talent to the table as well'
- ‘When you’re in the moment and you’re starved, you’re ready to explode - everything built up and I just lost my s**t’
- 'He must have his breakfast earlier than Willie does' - Patrick Mullins goes behind enemy lines at Gordon Elliott's yard