DOB: 14.05.1970 Main trainer: John Oxx Royal Ascot wins: 14

The Irish jockey has nabbed two of the first three 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 Royal Ascot meeting, claiming five victories - including the Gold Cup and the St James' Palace Stakes - all for different trainers.

A repeat of that looked unlikely given that Murtagh was riding for just three of the five days of this year's meeting.

But he clocked up four winners and took the title once again.

His wins included retaining the Gold Cup on Royal Rebel, a bitter-sweet victory as in a repeat of last year, Murtagh was given a whip ban and will once again miss the Irish Derby.