John Murtagh has been installed as the bookies favourite to take over as stable jockey at Aidan's O'Brien's Ballydoyle yard after yesterday evening's confirmation that Jamie Spencer has resigned from Irish racing's number one job.
Spencer has split from O'Brien after just one turbulent year as stable jockey and the move has ignited some feverish speculation as to who will succeed him.
There was no comment from Spencer yesterday but confirmation of the move came last night from Ballydoyle.
In a statement, the Coolmore Stud spokesman, Richard Henry, said: "Jamie Spencer has informed Ballydoyle Racing Stables of his decision to resign his position as the yard's retained jockey." He added: "Jamie is a young jockey with a lot of talent and has a long career ahead of him. All the team at Ballydoyle wish him the very best."
Spencer's surprise decision has kicked off a succession race and Paddy Power go as low as 4 to 6 about Murtagh becoming the next official stable jockey at Ballydoyle with Kieren Fallon and Darryll Holland next best at 3 to 1.
However, the uncertainty over the situation is illustrated by Cashmans making the former Ballydoyle number one Michael Kinane a 33 to 1 outsider while Ladbrokes go as short as 3 to 1 about Kinane.
"The market is wide open and until a replacement is confirmed, then rumour and conjecture will be rife," said a Ladbrokes spokesman.
Spencer took over from Kinane towards the end of 2003 but his one season in the hot seat took the 24-year-old on a roller-coaster of emotions.
He ended last season as champion jockey for the first time in his career but a poor year for O'Brien at the very top level led to some vitriolic criticism for Spencer over some high-profile rides.
Powerscourt lost the Arlington Million last August in the stewards room and the same horse was at the centre of more widespread flak after running third in the Breeders' Cup Turf in Texas.
In total there were just three Group One winners for the Ballydoyle outfit in 2004 which compared to 19 in 2002 and a then world record 23 in 2001.
The trio consisted of Ad Valorem in the Middle Park Stakes, Oratorio in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagadere and Powerscourt in the Tattersalls Gold Cup.
As for possible successors, Kieren Fallon has repeatedly been linked with the job in recent years but the bookmakers believe Murtagh is the man to step in if needed with just six weeks to go until the start of the Irish flat season.
Murtagh rode successfully as a freelance in Britain last year but has a history of partnering big race winners for O'Brien.
High Chaparral was ridden by Murtagh to 2002 Epsom Derby glory when Kinane elected to partner the runner-up Hawk Wing. Ironically the same horse was ridden by Spencer in that year's 2,000 Guineas only to be beaten by Murtagh on Rock Of Gibraltar.
BETTING: (Cashmans bet on 2005 Ballydoyle stable jockey): 4-5 John Murtagh, 2 Kieren Fallon, 3 Darryll Holland, 14 Gary Stevens, 25 Pat Smullen, 33 Fran Berry and Michael Kinane.
