Johnny Murtagh: Oxx was a real gentleman and never once lost his temper with me

Johnny Murtagh said John Oxx never once lost his temper during their time together, describing the legendary trainer as a "real professional and a real gentleman".

Oxx announced that is he is to retire from training after 41 years next month and Murtagh owes him a huge oath of gratitude for taking a 15-year-old apprentice under his wing and nurturing him into a word-class jockey.

Murtagh said: "When you leave home at 15, you need someone to look after you and that's what John and Catriona [Oxx's wife] did. They looked after me so, so well. I served my apprenticeship there and became first jockey in 1991. We had some amazing days together."

Murtagh went on to ride 17 Group or Grade 1 winners for Oxx, including the Arc on Sinndar in 2000, and he hailed his manner as a man as well as his talent as a trainer.

"John was a real professional and a real gentleman. He never once lost his temper with me," Murtagh said.

John Oxx: leaves the training ranks with a lasting legacyCredit: Patrick McCann

"He never got too excited when things were going well, or too angry when things were going bad. He always stayed the same; he had a very level head. If you gave one a bad ride, he might just say one word and you'd know you had messed up, but it was never more than that.

"I rode some truly great horses for him. We won our first Derby together with Sinndar, and there was the likes of Ridgewood Pearl, Timarida, Enzeli and Alamshar who were all top-class.

"John was a brilliant trainer; a really brilliant one. He has the ability to keep those top horses at a very high level right throughout a season and that is not something that is easily done. He had a big influence on me as a jockey, but a huge influence on me as a trainer."

While next month will mark the end of an era as Oxx calls time on his training career, Murtagh hopes it will not be the last we will see of him in the industry.

He said: "I know it's a sad time, but I hope it's not a sad time. You'd love to think he will play a huge role in some part of the industry. That is what I'd love to see now. He has so much to offer."

Three defining Oxx stars

Sea The Stars wins the Derby from an army of Ballydoyle challengersCredit: Mark Cranham

Sea The Stars

When you think of all of Oxx's achievements as a trainer, one horse stands above the others, and that horse is Sea The Stars. In an exceptional nine-race career, the son of Cape Cross was defeated only once, and that came on his debut at the Curragh in July 2008.

Thereafter it was win after win. Sea The Stars was never a horse who would put huge margins between himself and his rivals, but his relentless style of winning still attracted legions of fans. From a 2,000 Guineas victory at Newmarket to begin his Classic campaign, Sea The Stars would foil all Ballydoyle could throw at him in the Derby, Eclipse, Juddmonte International and Irish Champion Stakes.

He then cemented his place as one of the best thoroughbreds in recent history by taking the Arc at Longchamp, completing an incredible six-race winning sequence at the highest level.

Johnny Murtagh: will train for the Aga KhanCredit: Caroline Norris

Sinndar

Before Sea The Stars, there was Sinndar. Oxx had plenty of previous experience to draw on when plotting a top-class campaign for a three-year-old colt, as Sinndar had provided the blueprint in 2000.

Although beaten in a Listed race on his seasonal reappearance, Sinndar went from strength to strength for the remainder of the season with a length success in the Derby followed up by a nine-length demolition job in the Irish equivalent.

Having successfully taken in the Niel as an Arc trial, Sinndar then went on to capture the big one at Longchamp. He was retired soon after, having won seven of eight starts, including four Group 1s.

Ridgewood Pearl wins from Fastness in the Breeder's Cup MileCredit: Paul Smith

Ridgewood Pearl

Oxx's mastery at getting horses to perform at the highest level around the world was showcased through Ridgewood Pearl.

Having raced exclusively at the Curragh for her first four starts, Ridgewood Pearl progressed through the ranks to win the 1995 Irish 1,000 Guineas on her fourth outing.

Next was a trip to Royal Ascot, where she followed up in the Coronation Stakes. Then it was off to France for the Prix Du Moulin at Longchamp before a return to Ascot where she was beaten for the first time that season in the Queen Elizabeth.

However, the best was yet to come, as Oxx took her to the Breeders' Cup at Belmont Park and she delivered victory in the Mile under Johnny Murtagh.

Read more

'The time is right' - Sea The Stars trainer John Oxx to retire at end of season

Sea The Stars: a horse of a lifetime who enjoyed the most perfect of seasons

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