OISIN MURPHY’S QATAR RACING RETAINER TO CONCLUDE AT THE END OF 2026

Oisin Murphy’s retainer with Qatar Racing will conclude at the end of the 2026 Flat season, as Qatar Racing reduces the number of horses it has in training in Britain.

Oisin has ridden for Qatar Racing for most of his career and will continue to represent the operation internationally wherever possible. The friendship and mutual respect built over more than a decade remain as strong as ever.

During his association with Qatar Racing, Oisin has ridden nine Group or Grade 1 winners under its ownership. His first winner for Qatar Racing was also his first Group winner: Hot Streak in the Group 2 Temple Stakes in 2014, the year he was crowned Champion Apprentice.

The following year, he won his first European Classic aboard Karpino, carrying the colours of Sheikh Fahad’s Pearl Bloodstock. In 2020, he claimed his first British Classic on Qatar Racing’s Kameko in the Group 1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas, having won the Group 1 Futurity Stakes on him at two.

Oisin’s breakthrough season came in 2018, when he partnered Roaring Lion to four consecutive Group 1 victories: the Coral-Eclipse, Juddmonte International, Irish Champion Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, sponsored by QIPCO. Roaring Lion was subsequently crowned the World’s Best Three-Year-Old, as well as Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt and Horse of the Year.

His other Group 1 victories for Qatar Racing came aboard Lightning Spear in the 2018 Sussex Stakes, Sunway in the 2023 Criterium International and Kameko’s son New Century in the 2024 Summer Stakes.

Appointed Qatar Racing’s second jockey in 2015 and number one in 2016, Oisin has been crowned British Flat Racing Champion Jockey five times, in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024 and 2025. He also wore the Qatar Racing silks when riding his 1,000th winner in 2020.

Qatar Racing chairman Sheikh Fahad said: “It has been a wonderful journey, and I have loved watching Oisin rise to the top and become one of the very best jockeys in the world. He remains a very close friend, and this arrangement is ending only because of a change in focus for Qatar Racing.”

Qatar Racing’s Bloodstock and Racing Manager David Redvers added: “From the first day we met Oisin at Kingsclere, his talent and hunger set him apart. Watching everything he has achieved has given us immense pride.

“There have inevitably been a few bumps along the road, but Oisin will always be family to the Qatar Racing team and a close friend to us all. He has been part of our greatest days on the racecourse and a tremendous asset for more than a decade. We look forward to him riding for us whenever possible for many years to come.”

Oisin Murphy commented: “I’m eternally grateful to Sheikh Fahad and his family for the support they have shown me on and off the track. We’ve enjoyed incredible success together, days I will never forget. To his team of David Redvers, Hannah Wall, Bryony Rusbridge and everyone who’s made our success possible, thank you so much. I was privileged to fulfil many of my dreams in Qatar Racing colours on truly world class horses. I would like to wish everyone at Qatar Racing the very best going forward.”