Johnny Murtagh

Murtagh salutes the crowd after Sinndar's win in 2000

Date of birth: 14/5/70
Main trainer: John Oxx
Total Royal Ascot wins: 5
Royal Ascot 2000 wins: 3

If you could bottle the year 2000, Derby-winning jockey Johnny Murtagh would be taking more than just the occasional sip.

The year was a mighty one for the former Irish champion apprentice, and crowned his rehabilitation from personal problems with weight and alcohol.

Murtagh had 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.

After his English Derby win, Murtagh declared: "I would like to dedicate this to Mr Oxx and the Aga because they stood by me a few years ago when I was in a bit of trouble."

His three victories at Royal Ascot in 2000 came on Katiykha (Duke of Edinburgh Handicap; Barba Papa (Ascot Stakes Handicap) and Superior Premium (Cork and Orrery Stakes).