Murtagh crowned Champion for the fifth time Johnny Murtagh regained the Champion Flat Jockeys crown as the Flat season came to a close at Leopardstown this afternoon. Going into today's meeting Murtagh led Smullen by three (81 to 78) and in the second race on today's card extended his advantage to four as Takar came home a very easy winner. However Murtagh had to wait until the fourth race for his victory to be confirmed as Smullen was just denied aboard Coolnagree meaning he couldn't reel in Murtagh who was four ahead with three races left. Murtagh put the icing on the cake in the Listed Eyrefield Lodge Stakes winning aboard Call To Battle making the score 83 to 78 while Smullen did manage to get one back aboard Hidden Universe in the last to make the final score 83 to 79. Having first won the crown in '95 Murtagh made it win No 5 this afternoon. Meanwhile Joseph O'Brien was crowned Champion Apprentice with 52 wins to his name while his father Aidan was awarded Champion trainer for the eleventh time and the fourth in-a-row. World & European Boxing Champion Katie Taylor was on hand to award Murtagh with his trophy.
