Johnny Murtagh is set to return to the UAE for the 2009 Dubai International Racing Carnival.
The top-class Irish jockey has been one of Dubai’s biggest supporters, having ridden for Jebel Ali-based Dhruba Selvaratnam since 1994.
The rider also enjoyed considerable success for Mike De Kock last season, notably on Asiatic Boy and Honour Devil, the Dubai World Cup runner-up and UAE Derby winner respectively.
Murtagh has just completed an incredible first year as Ballydoyle’s stable jockey - but his commitments to the Irish operation will not preclude him from returning to Nad Al Sheba.
"Hopefully I'll be in Dubai in February and March, that's when the big races are over there and it will get me fit and back into the swing of things,” said Murtagh.
"It's been great all year. I'll be going to Japan for the Japan Cup and I'm there for two weekends, and then I'll have a nice break.”
Murtagh signed off his European season with a double at Dundalk, and he could be reunited on his 80th and final winner of the campaign, Finicius, in Dubai.
Finicius has won his last two races on the all-weather surface of Dundalk over six furlongs (1200m) and a mile (1600m).
"Dubai might suit him, seven furlongs or a mile, he could fit in nicely over there," Murtagh told At The Races.
The four-year-old’s trainer Eoin Griffin added: "Johnny gave him a great ride, he switched him off early. He did a great job and got a nice run on the outside, and there was a never a doubt after that.
“We’ll probably go to Dubai for the Carnival in the New Year, something we maybe should have done last year.”
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