The Irish jockey has nabbed two of the first four Classics of the season, a Derby win on High Chaparral following up his earlier success on Rock of Gibraltar in the 2,000 Guineas.

It was his second Derby victory in three years, his success on Sinndar in 2000 crowning a remarkable rehabilitation for Murtagh.

The former Irish champion apprentice lost his position with trainer John Oxx in 1992 after being cautioned over allegations he tried to cheat at the scales.

He went into a steep decline, lubricated by the bottle, and spent time out of the sport.

But Murtagh bounced back, and with the renewed support of Oxx and owner-breeder, the Aga Khan, was Irish champion jockey in 1995, 1996 and 1998.

Then came 2000, when he rode the winner of 12 Group One races.

Those triumphs included the Vodafone Derby at Epsom, Irish Derby and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on the brilliant Sinndar.

He was top jockey at the 2001 and 2002 Royal Ascot meeting, which included back-to-back Gold Cup wins on Royal Rebel.

But both earned him whip bans which saw him miss the Irish Derby for two years in a row.

Murtagh is a relative novice at Goodwood, having picked up just one winner at the course.

But that victory came in the Group Three Champagne Victor Vintage Stakes in 2000 on Sir Michael Stoute's No Excuse Needed.