Unstoppable Murtagh wants to kick Aussie butts with Ebor hero Sonnyboyliston

As he soaked up the rain and acclaim in York's winner's enclosure, Johnny Murtagh revealed he finds it hard to put into words how he feels when landing a major prize as a trainer. For the man who seems able to do everything, that wonderful but inexplicable feeling is becoming ever more common.

This time he was celebrating the long-planned success of Sonnyboyliston in the £500,000 Sky Bet Ebor, a race Murtagh has now conquered twice in his new role having found it consistently elusive during his years as one of Flat racing's most brilliant jockeys.

The jack and master of all trades also regularly dazzles as a pundit for ITV, whose viewers saw Ben Coen drive the Irish challenger to a thrilling head defeat of Quickthorn, after which the cock-a-hoop trainer looked straight into a television camera before shouting: "I love this game!"

Members of the Kildare Racing Club may have been missing from the Knavesmire, but they no doubt also love Murtagh. The club could by now have sold the Melbourne Cup entry to local owners, but Murtagh wanted to delay any deal, believing the potential price tag could rise after the four-year-old had run in Europe's most valuable Flat handicap. He was absolutely right.

The Melbourne Cup at Flemington – where Murtagh's 2014 Ebor winner Mutual Regard finished 14th that year – beckons for the horse named after a world heavyweight champion boxer. Before that, there is set to be a tilt at the Irish St Leger, to be run 24 hours after stablemate Ottoman Emperor contests the original version of the Classic at Doncaster. Mirann, who finished 15th for Murtagh, will continue his career in Australia.

Sonnyboyliston (yellow) narrowly denies Quickthorn in the EborCredit: Alan Crowhurst

"It's a great day," said the master of Fox Covert Stables. "I thought at the beginning of the year he could end up in the Ebor. The race has been in our minds for a long time. Things like that don't always work out. Thankfully, this one did – by a head.

"To win a race like the Ebor is special. When we won it for the first time it was a bit of a surprise. Today we came with two chances, so it's good to have got the job done.

"It's been a great year because we've gone from winning at Royal Ascot to Goodwood to here. It's one of those years when things are snowballing very well."

Sky Bet Ebor: full result and race replay

Asked to sum up his emotions through the closing stages, Murtagh added: "I can't explain the feeling. It's that feeling you get when you pass the line as a jockey, but as a trainer it lasts a bit longer and probably means a bit more. It's a whole different experience – and it's nice to get used to it."

Also becoming accustomed to magic moments is the 19-year-old Coen, who has shared with Murtagh the victories at Ascot, Goodwood and now York.

Sonnyboyliston: The Ebor hero is in line to tackle the Irish St LegerCredit: Edward Whitaker

"It's an unbelievable day," said Coen, whose exertions took such a toll he did not come out to receive his prize. "It was a big relief when we passed the line. I don't think I've ever pushed a horse so hard. This is a race everyone wants to win. I'm going to be pinching myself for a while."

Murtagh was full of praise for Coen – "whenever he gets on a good horse for me he produces the goods" – and also his head girl Valerie Keatley, who was here with the winner and earlier this year received the Racing Excellence Award at Ireland's Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards. A particularly iconic trophy is now in Murtagh's mind.

"A few people have been looking at him for the Melbourne Cup," he said of the Ebor hero. "There have already been offers and a few deals were close, but I thought he would run well today so I was keen to keep him. The offers will have to be big now!"

'Paddy Power introduced him at 16-1 for the Melbourne Cup – that's very fair'

Murtagh continued: "I was an apprentice in Australia and really enjoyed my time there. I'm always slagging my Aussie friends, telling them I put them on the map with Choisir and Starspangledbanner.

"I would have loved to win the Melbourne Cup as a jockey, but I didn't manage it. To go back and win it as a trainer would be really special. I would love to go down there and kick those Aussie butts!"

Murtagh would probably be incredibly good at the butt-kicking, too.

Read more from York:

'She's a machine, a superstar' – Easterby hails Nunthorpe queen Winter Power

Frankie Dettori emotional as special Stradivarius prevails in epic Lonsdale Cup

Ultimate professional Snowfall turns on the charm in Knavesmire procession

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