RACING:JOHNNY MURTAGH is sure he will be as hungry as ever for success in 2011 when he becomes the Aga Khan's retained jockey in Ireland.

The 40-year-old star resigned from the post as Coolmore’s number one rider last month after three hugely successful seasons riding principally for Aidan O’Brien.

Murtagh wound up that relationship with another Group One win on the classic prospect Recital in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud and is happy that he rode well in 2010.

“I think I rode as well as ever. I was consistent all the time and we had 12 Group One winners. It was a pleasure to work for those people over the last few years. It’s a new chapter now,” he said yesterday.

Murtagh’s new deal means a return to John Oxx’s yard where he first emerged as a top jockey in the 1990s.

“I spoke to John on the phone the other day but I haven’t been into the yard yet. I’m looking forward to having a break now, I’m going to have six weeks off. There’s a few possibilities in Dubai – nothing set in stone, but it’s nice to go there.”

Murtagh insisted he has nothing but good memories of his association with O’Brien and Coolmore.

“I was very lucky that I rode some very good horses. Henrythenavigator was the best miler I’ve ever ridden and Duke Of Marmalade was a real high-class, solid horse. Of course to ride Yeats to the Gold Cup on the fourth occasion was great.

“I’m really feeling well at the moment, I’m feeling very fit and focused and, at the minute, I feel as if I could go on forever. I keep myself pretty fit and my weight has been good all year. I’ll have six weeks off to recharge the batteries and I’m sure I’ll be as hungry next year as I’ve ever been,” he said.