Former top jockey Johnny Murtagh and the connections of Sole Power have been cleared of any wrongdoing by the British Horseracing Authority after an investigation into an annonymous video posted on YouTube which suggested an unidentified object had been passed between Murtagh and trainer Eddie Lynam’s daughter Sarah in the winners enclosure after the Kings Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot last June.
A BHA statement said that “nothing untoward” had taken place and said the investigation established that after unsaddling the horse, Lynam placed Sole Power’s girth over Murtagh’s saddle. It was also established that at no time did the jockey pass any item to Lynam. As part of the investigation, Murtagh, Eddie Lynam and Sarah Lynam were interviewed while accompanied by solicitors.
Murtagh hadn’t commented on the matter before the BHA investigation was over but has now said there was “an obvious intent to damage my good name, and my past and future reputation.”
In a statement, he said: “Having recently retired from race riding after twenty seven years in the saddle, I and my family were shocked to see the recent anonymous video up loaded on Youtube. The insinuation of impropriety on my part with respect to my ride on Sole Power at Royal Ascot 2013 has been deeply upsetting.
“This was compounded by the attention it received in the racing media and particularly on the website of a leading international trainer. There was an obvious intent to damage my good name, and my past and future reputation.
“I declined to comment while the matter was under investigation by the BHA. I am delighted that the BHA, having reviewed additional video angles of my interaction with Sarah Lynam while helping to remove Sole Power’s breast-girth, have cleared me of any impropriety and vindicated my good name.”
The BHA director of raceday operations for the BHA said: “With these findings establishing that nothing untoward took place following the running of the 2013 King’s Stand Stakes, and that there had not been any breach of the rules, the matter is now closed. The BHA appreciates the assistance of At the Races and Channel 4 in providing requested footage in relation to this matter.”
