Tag Archive for: James Doyle

James Doyle in line to partner Cadran contender Trueshan

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James Doyle will be reunited with Trueshan in Saturday’s Prix du Cadran, with regular rider Hollie Doyle required at Newmarket for Nashwa.

Alan King’s eight-year-old is bidding for a third victory in the two-and-a-half-mile Group One and was partnered by James Doyle for the first of those in 2021 when Hollie Doyle was suspended.

Trueshan is arguably the horse with which Hollie Doyle made her name having won 11 times on him, including this race last year, the Goodwood Cup and three Long Distance Cups at Ascot on Champions Day.

However, due to being the retained rider for Nashwa’s owner Imad Alsagar, she will be in action in the Sun Chariot Stakes rather than at ParisLongchamp.

King said: “Trueshan is very well, he was scoped today and he works tomorrow, provided it all goes well he is on target for the Cadran again.

“We just need to tick a few boxes before saying it is definite.

“James Doyle will ride, we’ve had him on standby for some time as we had an idea Hollie might not be available.

“He’s won on him before so it was logical when we were looking at it.”

Kyprios returns to the ParisLongchamp winner's enclosure
Kyprios returns to the ParisLongchamp winner’s enclosure (PA)

Kyprios is also among the eight remaining entries, with just one contender trained in France.

Aidan O’Brien’s star stayer won the contest in remarkable circumstances in 2022 when, despite hanging across the track in the home straight, he came home 20 lengths clear.

After injury restricted him to just two outings last season, Kyprios has won each of his run races this year. O’Brien has also left in Continuous, who has the option of running in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and Point Lonsdale.

John and Thady Gosden’s Sweet William finally bagged a big prize at Doncaster last time out and could run, with Sir Mark Prescott’s Miss Cynthia and Andrew Balding’s Coltrane also in contention.

The only home-trained potential runner is Christophe Ferland’s Double Major.

William Haggas is searching for a third successive win in the Prix de Royallieu with Sea Theme.

Sea Silk Road after winning at ParisLongchamp
Sea Silk Road after winning at ParisLongchamp (Ashley Iveson/PA)

Sea La Rosa and Sea Silk Road have provided Haggas with Group One victories in a race that has not been won by a French-trained runner since 2017.

Henry de Bromhead’s Term Of Endearment, David Menuisier’s Caius Chorister and O’Brien’s Port Fairy are among 16 left in.

There are 11 left in the Prix Dollar, including Brian Meehan’s Jayarbee, the Owen Burrows-trained Anmaat and Ed Walker’s Almaqam.

Haggas’ Maljoom and Karl Burke’s Holloway Boy are among 13 in the Prix Daniel Wildenstein, while St Leger runner-up Illinois is one of 11 in the Prix Chaudenay.

There are supplementary entry stages for all races on Wednesday.



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Aesterius gets the better of Big Mojo in tight Flying Childers finish

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Aesterius turned the tables on his old rival Big Mojo to claim top honours in the Carlsberg Danish Pilsner Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster.

Big Mojo was bidding to provide trainer Mick Appleby and owners Paul and Rachael Teasdale with back-to-back victories in the Group Two contest, following the success of the popular Big Evs 12 months ago, and battled his way to the front inside the last of five furlongs.

However, the Archie Watson-trained Aesterius (7-2), who had been pipped by Big Mojo in Goodwood’s Molecomb Stakes before landing a Group Three in France less than a fortnight ago, was produced with a late run by James Doyle in the Wathnan Racing silks and finished best to win the day by a neck.

Irish raider Magnum Force, the 11-4 favourite at the off following a luckless outing in the Roses Stakes at York last month, was best of the rest in third.

Doyle said: “He hasn’t done a lot wrong, I just felt I did a couple of things wrong in the Molecomb – I perhaps rode him too conservatively.

“When we went to France I was keen to make use of his speed and again today, I spoke to Archie beforehand and he said ‘let him get out and do his thing’.

“We raced pretty much by ourselves most of the way and he did have a look at the crowd when I put him under pressure, so that can only be a good sign.”

Watson has big plans for his young colt, with the Prix de l’Abbaye on Arc weekend at ParisLongchamp and a trip to the Breeders’ Cup under consideration.

He said: “James said he’s still very babyish and he came off the bridle early enough today. He’s still looking at things beside him as he’s running down the track.

“He’s a very talented horse. He won the Prix d’Arenberg last time out and just 12 days later he has backed it up, which is the same double we did with Soldier’s Call (in 2018). He’s a very talented two-year-old and we’re very lucky to train him.

“I think next year is the time to explore six furlongs. The Breeders’ Cup will be his end-of-season target – it should really suit him. The question mark is do we have a crack at the Prix de l’Abbaye in the meantime? He’ll get 18lb off his elders and Soldier’s Call was only just beaten by Mabs Cross after winning this, so that will be discussed.

“It’s obviously going to be a trickier year next year for him so I often think it’s worth running them at two if you’re happy with them. He’ll either have two more runs this year or one.”

Mick Appleby is still eyeing a trip to the Breeders' Cup with Big Mojo
Mick Appleby is still eyeing a trip to the Breeders’ Cup with Big Mojo (Joe Giddens/PA)

Mick Appleby still intends to head to the Breeders’ Cup with Big Mojo, saying: “He’s run well. The ground has probably just gone a little softer than he’d like, but he’s run well.

“He maybe just hit the front a bit too soon, he maybe just needs holding on to a bit longer as when he hits the front he thinks he’s done enough.

“It was another great run, we’re happy with that and the plan is to still head for the Breeders’ Cup.”



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Angelo Buonarroti begins to justify hefty price tag

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Angelo Buonarroti went some way to recouping his seven-figure purchase price with a determined victory in the British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes at York.

The chestnut son of American Triple Crown hero Justify cost Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing operation €1,000,000 at the Arqana Breeze-Up sale in May and was thrown in at the deep end when making his competitive debut in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Having shaped with promise in being beaten just three lengths into ninth place, Angelo Buonarroti was a 2-1 favourite to come out on top in a maiden with a huge prize fund of £100,000 on the Knavesmire and knuckled down well under a positive ride from David Egan to score by a length and a quarter.

The winner was making his first start for Ralph Beckett after moving from Raphael Freire’s yard since his Royal Ascot outing.

“I was kind of lucky, as he got a stone bruise before the maiden at Goodwood he was supposed to run in and I had to scratch him. The extra time probably was a positive and the track suited him better than Goodwood would have done,” said Beckett.

“He’s a good horse, we kind of knew that already, it just depends on how far we go now.

“He could go a mile this year, I think it will be within his scope, but I don’t know whether he needs to yet.

“I don’t know if we’ll go straight into a Group race, we might go for the Flying Scotsman (Listed race at Doncaster) and work our way up. It just depends on how we feel.”

James Doyle got the fractions spot on as he came with a late run aboard Shadow Dance to win the opening Sky Bet Handicap.

The four-year-old had disappointed on his first run since being gelded at Royal Ascot, but bounced back to run well at Ripon last time out when touched off by Ebor contender Iron Lion.

A 6-1 shot for his latest assignment, Roger Varian’s charge dug deep to beat Lieber Power by a neck.

“Winners at the biggest meetings is what it’s all about. He’s a homebred and he’s a lovely horse. He’s got a big heart and a lot of stamina, and he needed every inch of the trip today,” said Varian.

“We came into the year very hopeful with this horse, he didn’t have a great spring and I ran him at Royal Ascot in the Duke of Edinburgh, he wasn’t quite right that day.

“But the run at Ripon was a step in the right direction, and he should go on and have a good autumn.”

Ed Walker continued his brilliant week in North Yorkshire by landing the Assured Data Protection EBF Fillies’ Handicap with Canoodled.

The six-year-old was stepping up to a mile and a quarter for the first time on the Knavesmire and it seemed to do the trick as the 25-1 shot won by a length and a half under Billy Loughnane.

Walker, recording his third winner of this year’s Ebor Festival following a double on Thursday, said of his latest success: “It was amazing, a real pleasant surprise. She’s a funny filly, she’s quirky and a bit of rain last night helped. She was going up in trip and she jumped, so it’s great.

“We will try and get some black type in the autumn with her, like we did last year.

“We’ve had an amazing couple of days, it’s sort of pinch yourself stuff really. It is one of the hardest meetings in the world, so it’s amazing.”

Treasure Time finished with a flourish to provide proud Yorkshireman William Haggas with a birthday winner in the concluding Sky Bet Mile Handicap.

Volterra and Mount Teide were the two to the fore as the race heated up inside the final two furlongs, but Tom Marquand decided to play his cards late aboard 13-2 shot Treasure Time and it paid off, with the three-year-old powering home to get up and beat the former by a length.

Haggas, opening his account for the week on his 64th birthday, said: “I felt he had a nice trip today, everything went smoothly and I thought he did well to win. He finished well, he stayed the mile well and I’m very pleased.

“He’s a bonny horse, he’s not very big but he has a great brain. He doesn’t need any training now he’s fit, he’s a great performer.

“It’s been an awful week. I’m really pleased with that, but it’s been a tough week for us.”



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Shadow Dance confirms he is back on track

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James Doyle got the fractions spot on as he came with a late run on Shadow Dance to win the Sky Bet Handicap at York.

The four-year-old had disappointed on his first run since being gelded at Royal Ascot, but bounced back to run well at Ripon last time out when touched off by Ebor contender Iron Lion.

Grey Cuban led the field into the straight, where Qitaal took over only to be swamped by Dark Moon Rising.

The latter had a break on the field with a furlong to run, but when Doyle switched Roger Varian’s grey to the middle of the track he picked up well and had enough in hand to hold the late run of Lieber Power by a neck, with Dark Moon Rising back in third.

“Winners at the biggest meetings is what it’s all about. He’s a homebred and he’s a lovely horse. He’s got a big heart and a lot of stamina, and he needed every inch of the trip today,” Varian said of the 6-1 winner.

“We came into the year very hopeful with this horse, he didn’t have a great spring and I ran him at Royal Ascot in the Duke of Edinburgh, he wasn’t quite right that day.

“But the run at Ripon was a step in the right direction, and he should go on and have a good autumn.

“If you looked at the entries, he was in four places this weekend. Today was as quick as he wants and maybe that little rain last night just took the sting out of the ground. We came to the right race.”

Ed Walker continued his brilliant week in North Yorkshire by landing the Assured Data Protection EBF Fillies’ Handicap with Canoodled.

The six-year-old was stepping up to a mile and a quarter for the first time on the Knavesmire and it seemed to do the trick as the 25-1 shot won by a a length and a half under Billy Loughnane.

Walker, recording his third winner of this year’s Ebor Festival following a double on Thursday, said of his latest success: “It was amazing, a real pleasant surprise. She’s a funny filly, she’s quirky and a bit of rain last night helped. She was going up in trip and she jumped, so it’s great.

“We will try and get some black type in the autumn with her, like we did last year.

“We’ve had an amazing couple of days, it’s sort of pitch yourself stuff really. It is one of the hardest meetings in the world, so it’s amazing.”



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Hamad Al Jehani celebrates landmark Wathnan winner

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Hamad Al Jehani celebrated his first ever British turf victory after Haunted Dream claimed the Regent Seven Seas Cruises Bentinck Conditions Stakes at Goodwood.

Qatari trainer Al Jehani, who is based in Newmarket, made the move to the United Kingdom in April to join Wathnan Racing’s ever-expanding team.

He had a near miss on Thursday as The Strikin Viking was a half-length runner-up to Black Forza in the Group Two Markel Richmond Stakes, but he finally made his mark thanks to the grey’s triumph at 4-1.

Jockey James Doyle bided his time aboard Haunted Dream in a prominent position behind pacesetter Prague in the one-mile-and-one-furlong contest.

Once Prague began to fade in the closing stages, the son of Oasis Dream kicked clear of the challenging Cairo to prevail by half a length with 6-4 favourite My Prospero finishing strongly in third.

“Haunted Dream always does a very good job. He is an honest horse and we were really confident that he would do his job,” a relieved Al Jehani said.

“I think the race was perfect for him, that pace was great for him, James dealt with him very well and we were very happy – we deserved that for all the team, to be honest, after that disappointing day yesterday.

“Today we deserved to have one of our runners win, so hopefully we might have more.”

Doyle was delighted to help deliver Al Jehani’s landmark win, feeling he had been at fault in the saddle for The Strikin Viking’s second-placed finish.

Haunted Dream, second left, won the Regent Seven Seas Cruises Bentinck Conditions Stakes
Haunted Dream, second left, delivered a half-a-length success at Goodwood (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“He’s a tough horse, isn’t he? He’s had a whole season here last season, then he had a season in Qatar and now he’s come back, so he’s been a busy boy, but he seems to have thrived on it,” Wathnan’s lead jockey said.

“Full credit to Hamad Al Jehani and his team. They felt like we should go again and they were 100 per cent right.

“It’s a key moment for Hamad in his career. His horses have been turned out impeccably, and they’ve run with great credit throughout all the big festival meetings.

“These are sort of tried-and-tested horses and it hasn’t been easy, but they’ve all run good races at Ascot, the Derby meeting… To come here and get a winner has been very important, especially after what happened yesterday with The Strikin Viking.

“We should have been stood over here (winner’s spot) and not in the second spot, and that was purely my fault – unfortunately I pressed the button sooner than I probably should have done, and I really felt for Hamad, because we all felt that would be his first winner.

“It was important today. I know it doesn’t smooth what happened yesterday, but it was important we got one on the board.”

Wathnan were soon celebrating once again when Artagnan landed the Hawes & Curtis Nursery Handicap by one and a half lengths to shed his maiden tag.

Karl Burke’s runner went off at 16-1 under David Egan and made his move inside the final two furlongs to sit alongside leader Ardennes.

They were neck and neck in the closing stages but once the son of Mehmas got his nose in front with half a furlong to go, there was no stopping the charging colt to secure another two-year-old success for the Spigot Lodge handler this season.

“He’s done that very well. I said to Richard Brown from Wathnan that I was a little bit nervous that he’d had a longish break from Ascot to here, but he got it right,” Burke said. “The way he’s been working at home, I thought he was well-handicapped.

“This has been the plan since Ascot. It’s an important meeting for Wathnan, so this was the target. We’ll see what the handicapper does as to where we go next.”

Egan added: “It was very nice to get the last-minute call-up to ride, and Mr Burke was very confident about the horse. He came here in tremendous form carrying a low weight, and won very nicely.”

It was close to a treble on the day for Wathnan in the concluding Coral Play Racing-Super-Series For Free Handicap, with Doyle and the William Haggas-trained Wafei having to settle for second to the Oisin Murphy-ridden Assailant (John and Thady Gosden) in the colours of Bjorn Nielsen, who enjoyed so many great days at this meeting with Stradivarius.



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Aesterius aiming to fire in Dragon date

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Fresh from an exceptional Royal Ascot, James Doyle and Wathnan Racing will search for more success when Aesterius heads to Sandown for the Dragon Stakes on Friday.

Archie Watson’s son of Mehmas impressed when a ready winner at Bath on debut, earning him a spot in the Norfolk Stakes for his second start where he ran with real credit to finish just a length and a half behind taking winner Shareholder.

William Buick was in the saddle at the Royal meeting but Wathnan number one Doyle is back in the plate this time around, as the colt drops to Listed company attempting to regain the winning thread.

“He came out of Ascot in good form and Archie seems happy with him,” said Wathnan’s racing adviser Richard Brown.

“He obviously ran well at Ascot and I think the stiff five furlongs will be right up his alley. This should be ideal for him before I’m sure we will be stepping up in trip at some stage.

“It’s a Listed race so it is going to be tough and there are plenty of unexposed ones in there which could be anything. We won’t be taking anything for granted but hopefully he can run a good race.”

Doyle has also picked up the ride on Irish raider Run For Oscar in the Coral Marathon.

Charles Byrnes’ nine-year-old has been a regular visitor to UK shores over the years and the 2022 Cesarewitch winner has the opportunity to build on his recent Queen Alexandra Stakes second in a race where Hughie Morrison’s Quickthorn and Alan King’s Trueshan set a notable standard.

Run for Oscar winning the Cesarewitch at Newmarket
Run for Oscar winning the Cesarewitch at Newmarket (Tim Goode/PA)

Byrnes said: “I was delighted with the run in Ascot and he has come out of the race really well.

“There aren’t many opportunities for him off his rating, so we thought this race was suitable and we would take our chance.

“Even though he ran a great race at Ascot the handicapper still thinks 103 is his level. He can contest the top races but he will probably come up a bit short in them. I know there’s a few with a higher rating in this but I think he is in with a fighting chance.”

The other Listed action on the card is the Davies Insurance Solutions Gala Stakes, where Doyle will renew his association with Simon and Ed Crisford’s Knight having been absent for both starts so far this term.

A first shot at 10 furlongs ended in disappointment in the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot, but connections are keen to persevere at that trip for now.

“He ran at Ascot a couple of weeks ago and ran respectably but from his draw, he was always stuck out the back and couldn’t really get competitive,” said Chris Wall, racing manager for owners KHK Racing.

“He stayed on and ran a solid enough race, which in a way was almost his seasonal debut because his first race at Doncaster back at the beginning of the season was a bit of a non-event, so we’ll take that as the starting point and we’ll hope for him to run a bit better.

“So we’re expecting a better run from him this time. It looked at Ascot as though the mile and a quarter was within his scope, so we’ll know a bit more. Sandown is obviously a fairly searching mile and a quarter so we’ll see if he stays, but I think we’ll see a better performance from him this time than we’ve seen so far.”

Faring much better in the Wolferton was Savvy Victory, who galloped on to finish an honourable fourth to Israr in his reappearance at the Royal fixture.

Sean Woods’ five-year-old now follows the same path as 12 months ago as the defending champion seeks a repeat of his taking victory in this race in 2023.

Savvy Victory winning at Sandown in 2023
Savvy Victory winning at Sandown in 2023 (Nigel French/PA)

Woods said: “He had been off for a long time going into Ascot, it was a very good run and we’ve been pleased with him at home since, so it is a natural progression to go for this race.

“He’s a much happier horse since being gelded in the winter and his first run at Ascot was very pleasing, but he had pleased us all the way into Ascot so it was not a surprise.

“He’s worked nicely since then and I’m very pleased with him. Any rain would be a help because he enjoys soft ground and he deserves to be in this race, he’s one of the higher-rated horses in there.

“I’m just pleased to have him in good order and hopefully this is a progressive step and whatever happens we can move on to Group races afterwards.”



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Buick delighted to add Carlisle to his list of winning tracks

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A first visit to Carlisle paid dividends for William Buick after the dual champion jockey bagged a double, highlighted by an impressive success for Bountiful in the Tattersalls £40,000 EBF Novice Stakes.

A winner at Thirsk last month, George Boughey’s filly was sent off at 100-30 to follow up at the Cumbrian venue – and did so in some style against a quartet of colts.

Buick cut a confident figure in the saddle throughout the six-furlong contest, and the further the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing-owned Bountiful went the better she looked, with just under five lengths separating her and the 125-1 runner-up Cugini at the line.

“She did it really well. I’ve never ridden here before, so it’s nice to be here and tick one off the list,” said Buick, who also claimed the concluding Great Community Raceday Saturday 6th July Fillies’ Handicap with Sir Michael Stoute’s Red Pixie (11-8 favourite.

“George was pretty confident beforehand and I think fast ground is key to her. She was well placed to win a nice prize today and she’s beaten colts.

“The track is fine and the ground is beautiful, proper summer ground with a good covering grass. There’s a good crowd, it’s their biggest day of the year and it’s nice to ride a winner.

“There’s only here and Ayr I hadn’t been to before, so now I’ve only got Ayr missing.”

Jabaara won the Eternal Stakes at Carlisle under James Doyle
Jabaara won the Eternal Stakes at Carlisle under James Doyle (Ashley Iveson/PA)

Buick was joined on the long trip north by James Doyle, who fresh from riding four winners at Royal Ascot last week enjoyed his first Carlisle winner in well over a decade aboard Jabaara in the £47,000 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Eternal Stakes.

The daughter of Exceed And Excel was a 6-4 shot to make it back-to-back Listed wins for Roger Varian following her victory in the Queen Of Scots Fillies’ Stakes at Musselburgh earlier in the month. And while market rival Key To Cotai briefly threatened to make a race of it, Jabaara found plenty for pressure in front to see her off by a length and a quarter.

Doyle said: “It was nice and straightforward, they didn’t go overly quick and I thought the leader dictated a bit and I was stuck out a bit wide. I couldn’t push on too much early, but I was keen once we got balanced to let her on as I didn’t want anything getting first jump on us.

“She doesn’t do a whole lot in front, she was similar at Musselburgh the last day. Roger has placed her nicely and she’s knocked off a couple of Listed races now.

“Last time I was here the weighing room was on the other side of the parade ring, so it’s at least 14 years ago. It’s always nice to come to these northern tracks, the crowd here today is brilliant and everyone is getting pictures and conversing with you. It’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?”

The historic Stablemate By AGMA Carlisle Bell went the way of David O’Meara’s stable stalwart Orbaan.

The one-mile feature is one of the track’s most prestigious races, with the two bells on offer to the winner reputed to be the oldest sporting trophy in the world, having first been presented in 1599 when Queen Elizabeth I was on the throne.

Orbaan was rated as high as 104 at his peak and made the most of his falling mark of 81 with a one-and-a-quarter-length win in the hands of Danny Tudhope.

The victory was a bittersweet one for connections after another veteran yard favourite, Star Shield, was fatally injured in the preceding Racing Staff Week Carlisle Bell Consolation Handicap, won by Tim Easterby’s Barley (11-2).

Of Orbaan, Tudhope said: “He’s a nine-year-old now and dropping class and deserves to win a race like this.”

Sea The Thunder won the Cumberland Plate at Carlisle (Ashley Iveson/PA)

Sea The Thunder readily justified favouritism in the Stablemate By AGMA Cumberland Plate.

Ralph Beckett’s three-year-old was a 2-1 market leader off the back of placed efforts at Newmarket and Leicester and after taking a command halfway up the straight, he showed his older rivals the way home by a length and a half.

Winning jockey Hector Crouch said: “It’s nice to get his head in front, he’d been running well without winning.

“He’s been well placed and enjoyed a relatively easy lead and knuckled down well.

“He’s still a big baby – you can see how large he is and he’s raw. He’s only going to come forwards.”

Newcomer Two Shoes (16-1) obliged as trainer Julie Camacho’s first two-year-old runner of the season in the opening Alan Jennings Last Orders Memorial Restricted Maiden Stakes, lunging late to deny Cracking Man by a neck.

Camacho’s husband and assistant, Steve Brown, said: “She’s started nicely, She looked a bit green but once she got organised, she’s really come home well.

“She’s not fully wound up and will improve, and she’ll probably get another furlong.”



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Haatem enjoys his moment in the spotlight at Royal Ascot

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Haatem enjoyed a deserved day in the sun after clinging on grimly to claim a thrilling renewal of the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Winner of the Craven Stakes in April, Richard Hannon’s three-year-old returned to Newmarket to finish third in the 2000 Guineas before finding only his esteemed stablemate Rosallion too strong in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh three weeks later.

With Rosallion having given the form a major boost by landing the St James’s Palace Stakes on Tuesday, Haatem was given his opportunity to shine on the final day of the Royal meeting, carrying the colours of Wathnan Racing for the first time in the hands of James Doyle.

With 13-8 favourite River Tiber finding disappointingly little when push came to shove, Haatem (7-2) moved nicely to the front and looked set to win handsomely after taking a couple of lengths out of the field.

However, the Harry Charlton-trained Kikkuli – half-brother to the mighty Frankel by top sire Kingman – really found his feet late on and the pair passed the post almost as one.

Following a brief wait, the judge confirmed Haatem had held on by a short head, with the Johnny Murtagh-trained Chicago Critic (80-1) in third.

Richard Hannon gets his trophy off, Henry Winkler, best known for playing The Fonz in Happy Days
Richard Hannon gets his trophy off, Henry Winkler, best known for playing The Fonz in Happy Days (David Davies/PA)

“He’s deserved this. It’s a Group Three, but it’s not, it’s Royal Ascot,” said Hannon.

“He carried a penalty, he got there very easy and he deserved his day in the sun. Hopefully he’ll have plenty more.

“It was a very deep race, there were 20 runners and it was not your normal Jersey.

“It’s great for Wathnan, they bought a lot of horses and it was so important they had success and they’ve earned it.

“There are so many options for him, we’ll travel a bit, there’s a lot of races for him in Australia, France and America, but he’ll go back over a mile, it was a bit of a risk going back down to seven.

“In fairness both James Doyle and Jamie Spencer who have ridden him recently said he’d have no problem dropping down to seven and they were right.

“I don’t think there’s any need for him to take on Rosallion again. I wouldn’t enjoy watching that. I didn’t mind watching the Irish Guineas back afterwards, but it’s not enjoyable at the time.

“He’s a horse that deserves everything he gets. He cost just £27,000, and that says a lot about our sport, a lot of it good. He’s here taking part with a penalty at the top level. It shows it’s possible, which you can’t say about many sports.”

Of Kikkuli, Charlton said: “We’re delighted with him. Oisin (Murphy) said it was a bit of a head up, head down – he rode him to follow Haatem, and James Doyle on a miler started stretching two down. Oisin said he’s run great. It’s a shame to be second twice (after King’s Gambit earlier in the week), but we won’t take anything away from the horse, he’s run great against a hardened Group One horse who’s had a lot more experience than him.

“Barry (Mahon, of Juddmonte) texted me this morning and said, ‘He’s 25-1’, and I said, ‘Well, Karl Burke’s horse that was 5-1 for the Guineas (Night Raider) is bigger than us – it’s a proper race and a there are a lot of 110-plus horses’, and he’s run outstandingly, really.

“Oisin said seven or eight furlongs. I think actually what looked key there was having pace. He travelled probably the best of them; he enjoyed the pace and the quick ground.

“I watched them down at the start and he was probably the one horse not sweating. He’s from an exuberant family, and by Kingman, and this lad is absolutely bombproof.”



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Shareholder dividends boosted by smooth Norfolk success

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Shareholder provided trainer Karl Burke and owners Wathnan Racing with a second two-year-old winner in as many days at Royal Ascot with a smart victory in the Norfolk Stakes.

The Spigot Lodge handler teamed up with the Qatar-based owners and jockey James Doyle to land the opening Queen Mary Stakes on Wednesday’s card with the impressive Leovanni and Shareholder was a 12-1 shot to follow suit for the same connections in the day-three curtain-raiser.

Turning out just 12 days after overcoming greenness to make a successful debut at Beverley, the €460,000 purchase travelled strongly throughout in the five-strong group that raced on the far side of the track and despite edging left late on, he passed the post a length to the good.

Tropical Storm filled the runner-up spot, with Arizona Blaze a close-up third and 10-11 favourite Whistlejacket in fourth.

Doyle said: “He’s still learning. I tried to keep a lid on him for as long as possible, until we got down to the inside pole, I just wanted to give him time to get organised.

“His debut was a bit messy at Beverley, it’s a hard place to teach a horse, but he learned plenty.

“He’s got a big engine. A big thank you to Karl Burke, he’s produced these horses lovely, which isn’t an easy thing to do.

“He was very confident, Karl, so when he is confident, you respect his opinion.”

Of the owners, Doyle added: “It’s great for British racing to have a superpower like this really getting behind British racing. It’s been a tough sell, our sport, hasn’t it, so we have to really take note when people want to invest and they deserve all the success.”

Shareholder strides away from the favourite, Whistlejacket
Shareholder strides away from the favourite, Whistlejacket (John Walton/PA)

Burke feels the best is still to come from Shareholder.

He said: “He is a very good horse I think, he did a lot wrong first time out when we’d only had him six weeks. That was his first run and we had to back him up quickly to come here, he took a huge step forward after that first run.

“Mentally, as well as physically, he improved and I think you saw that there. That was the plan and I’ll get home and discuss it with Richard Brown and the guys from Wathnan, but I’d see no problem stepping him up to six furlongs, maybe more.

“I’d be surprised if he’d be a Guineas horse – though I wouldn’t rule it out, I would be surprised.

“We’re still learning a lot about this horse but from what I’ve seen so far, I think he’s very good.”

Richard Ryan, racing manager to the owners of Tropical Storm, Teme Valley Racing, said: “He’s had an interrupted prep and a tiny, silly setback and fair play to Andrew (Balding), who has had a lot of belief in this horse for a long time.

Trainer Karl Burke was winning his second juvenile race of the week
Trainer Karl Burke was winning his second juvenile race of the week (John Walton/PA)

“He’s got a mind to die for and he’s like an old handicapper and this opens the door for all sorts of targets ongoing from here. He’s a very good horse and bar that little hiccup, I think they would all have sat up today – we will have our day, I’m sure. I think he might be a hot thing in a maiden!”

Adrian Murray said of Arizona Blaze: “We’re delighted and he ran an absolute blinder. When you are on the world stage here, it is tough.

“David (Egan) said he would be even better if we stepped him up a furlong to six – six on good ground, five on slightly slower. He’s won on soft and on good ground, he’s a very versatile horse.

“We’ve entered him in all the big ones, the top two-year-old races, so we will see how he comes out of today and pick and choose where we go.

“He’s a gorgeous horse and he would be very much on a par with Valiant Force (last year’s winner). But this fella would probably be that little bit more mature, he’s a bit like a three-year-old and has a lot of strength about him.”

Aidan O’Brien said of Whistlejacket: “Ryan (Moore) felt he was a bit relaxed and maybe I didn’t have him sharp enough. His last run was on soft ground and Ryan said he finished off well but was just a little bit relaxed through the middle of the race.”



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Varian respectful of Coronation Stakes threats to Elmalka

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Roger Varian is aware of the dangers that lurk in a strong field for the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, as Elmalka looks to add another big race to her CV after landing Classic glory at Newmarket.

The Kingman filly went from last to first under Silvestre de Sousa on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket to land the 1000 Guineas by a neck from Porta Fortuna at odds of 28-1, with Ramatuelle a further short head back in third.

Varian’s charge was beaten into third on her seasonal reappearance in the Fred Darling at Newbury, but was only half a length in arrears of the Marco Botti-trained Folgaria and stepped forward from that at Headquarters.

Varian opted against sending her to the Irish Guineas won by Fallen Angel in favour of a break ahead of the Royal meeting.

Folgaria, Porta Fortuna and Ramatuelle reoppose from Newmarket, but Varian is hopeful his charge is in top condition.

Varian said: “We weren’t tempted to go to Ireland, as she’d had two fairly quick runs, and she’s training lovely. She looks great and she seems to be getting stronger. She’s not a flashy worker, but I don’t mind that.

“She was a bit green at Newbury, and arguably at Newmarket too, but she’s looking a bit more complete now and there’s no reason to think Ascot’s round mile won’t suit. We are excited about running her.”

Fallen Angel had disappointed at Newmarket before winning the Irish Guineas, and while she is an absentee after a training setback Aidan O’Brien’s Opera Singer, who was third at the Curragh, won three times as a juvenile and is a major contender following what was a delayed seasonal reappearance.

Varian added on Sky Sports Racing: “We believe her best performances are still ahead of her and they might need to be. Opera Singer was the champion juvenile filly of Europe last year and she ran very creditably in the Irish Guineas when by all accounts she was massively in need of the run, so you’d have to respect her.

“It might need a stronger performance from Elmalka to what she produced at Newmarket to topple that filly, but it’s not just Opera Singer, it’s a field stacked full of quality fillies.

“Hopefully she can improve a pound or two and if she does she should be bang there. I sure she’s sharper now than before the Guineas, but the way she finished there suggests she could stay beyond a mile at this stage and her performance this week will determine that.”

James Doyle
James Doyle will be back in the plate on Elmalka (Mike Egerton/PA)

James Doyle takes over from De Sousa on Elmalka and is keen to make up for missing out on Classic glory.

Doyle said: “I rode Elmalka in her first race of the season, the Fred Darling at Newbury, and she ran a really good race in third, looking a bit unlucky as she got trapped on that stands rail.

“Silvestre rode her in the Guineas, when I was required in France, and she clearly bounded forward for the run at Newbury. It was obviously hard missing out on a Classic win, but there will always be days like that and you just have to take the rough with the smooth.

“Her work at home is workmanlike, but that’s just her. She looks great and she’s done well physically since the Guineas, where it probably helped being out the back with the other main contenders at the finish. I think the track and the race will suit her.”

Opera Singer
Opera Singer was third in the Irish Guineas at the Curragh (Brian Lawless/PA)

O’Brien has been delighted with how Opera Singer has come out of the Irish Guineas and with the focus on Ascot believes she will be in peak fitness.

The master of Ballydoyle told Racing TV: “We are very happy with her and she is a filly who is not an exuberant worker. She was only in work four weeks before the Curragh and really if she had finished mid-div we would have been really happy.

“We knew if we were thinking of coming to Ascot she would have to have a run and I was surprised with how well she ran really.

“She has been in good form since and everyone has been really happy with her. Her work has been nice and obviously we’re looking forward to seeing her again.

“She could do anything and she could get much further than a mile. So, obviously it is our second run this time and Ryan (Moore) will probably be a little bit more confident in her fitness this time. She is a big, straightforward filly really.”

Francis-Henri Graffard has preferred Royal Ascot to the French Oaks with Rouhiya and will take his chance with the surprise French 1000 Guineas winner.

Graffard said: “I’m very pleased with the condition of the filly and it’s a logical entry after her French Guineas win and she will be suited by the fast ground.

“I didn’t want to step her up in trip, so I didn’t want to run her in the Prix de Diane and I trained her for the Coronation.”

Oisin Murphy won the Coronation Stakes on Alcohol Free
Oisin Murphy won the Coronation Stakes on Alcohol Free (David Davies/PA)

Oisin Murphy, who struck three years ago aboard Alcohol Free, rides Ramatuelle for the first time and expects Christopher Head’s filly to be right up there at the business end of the race after finishing third in the Guineas in her first go at a mile, when at one stage she looked all over the winner.

Murphy said: “The Coronation is a climbing mile the whole way, but there is a bend. Alcohol Free was a very fast filly, like Ramatuelle, and she won the race on slow ground.

“It’s very competitive, with the Guineas winners and Opera Singer, but Ramatuelle was very good at two and she’s had a great preparation since the Guineas. The Newmarket run puts her right in the mix even though she didn’t win.”



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Ejaabiyah’s Salisbury stroll sets up potential Irish Oaks tilt

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Ejaabiyah could have earned herself a shot at the Juddmonte Irish Oaks following a bloodless victory at Salisbury on Sunday.

Roger Varian’s daughter of Frankel entered plenty of notebooks when an impressive six-length winner on debut at Kempton last November.

She lost little in defeat when reappearing at Listed level in Newbury’s Haras De Bouquetot Fillies’ Trial Stakes, where she bumped into the Ribblesdale Stakes-bound Diamond Rain.

Varian elected against taking Ejaabiyah to Royal Ascot in favour of building experience in the calmer calmer waters of the valuable Darley EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes.

The talented filly could now be set for a return to top company and an exciting Classic assignment having come through this test with flying colours, dispatching the opposition with real authority to register a four-and-three-quarter-lengths success as the 2-5 favourite.

Varian said: “I’m not sure we learned too much in terms of what we thought of her coming here.

“I just feel that sort of run will do her good and I didn’t feel she was quite ready for the rough and tumble of the Ribblesdale next week, I wanted to see her again at 10 furlongs.

“For me after Newbury, it was in my mind to take a patient approach with her and now I think she will have to take a step back into proper company – she’s a nice filly.”

Roger Varian was thrilled to see Ejaabiyah in the winner's enclosure
Roger Varian was thrilled to see Ejaabiyah in the winner’s enclosure (John Walton/PA)

He went on: “I wouldn’t rule out (going to the Irish Oaks) and we will see how she is tomorrow.

“I need to speak to the owner and get his thoughts of course, but I thought that would be a race you can take a fresh filly to and coming here and getting a bit more education and another racecourse experience, I wouldn’t be against taking her to Ireland next.”

Ejaabiyah was partnered by James Doyle who was thrilled to see the three-year-old bank some valuable experience as well as get a second victory under her belt.

He added: “Plan A was to get a lead really and she has been training really well since she finished second at Newbury.

“We were hoping she was pretty smart and didn’t learn a lot there other than she’s gained a bit more experience on the track and showed she’s versatile out in front, pricking her ears.

“She’s kind of lengthened and although she has gone steady round the bend and was pricking her ears, I was keen from the six (furlong marker) on to the five (furlong marker) to let her gradually role through the gears.

“She feels to me like she will stay and get an extra couple of furlongs. She was badly in need of the experience at Newbury and travelled into it good, it was just when they let down her inexperience told. We haven’t learned much today, but she will have learned plenty.”



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Aomori City one to remember following Nottingham debut

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Charlie Appleby unleashed what could be a smart prospect at Nottingham on Thursday as Aomori City appeared the consummate professional in his winning debut.

The son of Oasis Dream cost €260,000 as a yearling and was sent off the 4-6 favourite in the hands of James Doyle for the opening Daily Offers At Rhino.Bet EBF Novice Stakes.

He was forced to pull out all the stops by Ed Bethell’s Intrusively, but ultimately had plenty left to give when edging half a length clear at the finish.

In winning first time he replicated Blue Point, one of Godolphin’s star performers of recent years and who won this very race in 2016.

Doyle said: “That was a pleasing start. His work was nice and he’d worked with some winners. It was lovely and straightforward. He has a lovely attitude.

“He was probably left in front a long way out, but he showed a good attitude to fend off the second horse. They’re two probably quite nice animals. It felt like we quickened well and galloped out strong.

“He was faultless – first day at school he passed every test. It was nice we were able to teach him a bit today, he got a bit of cover early and got racing early.”

Doyle of course enjoyed two great days with Blue Point, doing the Group One sprint double at Royal Ascot in 2019.

James Doyle enjoyed a double at Nottingham
James Doyle enjoyed a double at Nottingham (Bradley Collyer/PA)

When asked if there were any similarities between the pair, Doyle, who was back in the Godolphin blue for this ride, added: “It’s too early to tell – let’s hope he’s half as good, that would be nice.”

Aomori City was the first of a quickfire double for the Wathnan Racing number one as he swiftly followed up aboard Roger Varian’s 1-2 favourite Indemnity in the Euro2024 Daily Giveaways On Rhino.Bet Maiden Stakes.

It was a welcome win for the Highclere-owned four-year-old who has been frustratingly knocking on the door so far in his career.

“He kind of needed that because he’s had plenty of seconds and it is nice to get his head in front and hopefully he will gain plenty of confidence from this,” said Doyle.

Indemnity finally got his head in front
Indemnity finally got his head in front (PA)

“I was kicking myself at Leicester because he travelled into it really well and I think I committed too soon. He’s a horse when you press the button, he doesn’t want too much time to think about it.

“I felt like he thought he had won his race, pricked his ears a bit and one just picked me off from out the back. We learnt from our mistake and just held on to him for a bit longer today.”

Silvestre de Sousa guided Paul and Oliver Cole’s 15-8 favourite Post Rider to victory in the Charge Up Your Summer With Rhino.Bet Fillies’ Handicap, while Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole’s Great Blasket (3-1) could have bigger fish to fry this weekend having won the Follow Us On X @betrhino Handicap with a degree of ease.

The four-year-old holds an entry for Sandown’s valuable Listen To BetMGM On talkSPORT Handicap on Saturday and Insole confirmed he would take his chance if pulling out of his Colwick Park victory in good heart.

“We’ll check him over tomorrow, but as long as he is OK, I don’t see why we wouldn’t take our chance,” said Insole.

“He’s a hardy horse and he won first time out for us and then we probably didn’t know how to ride him the next few times on the all-weather.

“It wasn’t until Kieran Shoemark won on him at Southwell and we said let’s drop him out and get there as late as possible we figured him out and since then he has won four from five.

“The change of tactics has definitely been in his favour and that’s his 10th run for us and he’s been in the first three nine times.

“I think he could be a 90-type horse and I think stepping up into these higher grade of races will suit him down to the ground. The harder pace and better quality of horse gives him a better target to aim at.”

Mick Appleby could be forgiven for having just Big Evs on his mind ahead of next week at Ascot, but was delighted to see Lipsink (16-1) make what was a shock winning debut for his yard in the Discover Whats Trending At Rhino.Bet Casino Handicap.

Appleby said: “It was a bit of a surprise for us really and we thought he would have needed that badly, so he will come on for that run and we think he is a nice horse.

“He’s in here again next week so we will probably come back as long as he is in one piece in the morning.”



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James Doyle under no illusions despite strong book of Ascot rides

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It is not unusual for James Doyle to have some nice rides to look forward to at Royal Ascot. But there is a different kind of pressure this time around, as he prepares to ride as first jockey to the burgeoning Wathnan Racing for the first time at the meeting.

Doyle is no stranger to riding for powerhouse operations. He was swiftly snapped up by Juddmonte as their retained rider early into his career and his recent CV is littered with success in the royal blue of Godolphin for whom he rode as able deputy to his great friend William Buick.

Even Aidan O’Brien has come calling over the past few years, but he is now the man in the privileged position of riding the pick of the Emir of Qatar’s growing racing empire.

Wathnan’s backroom team have been busy assembling a stellar squad for battle at the summer showpiece they enjoyed immediate success at in 2023.

Gold Cup winner Courage Mon Ami and Queen’s Vase scorer Gregory were both on the scoresheet 12 months ago and all eyes will be on the man in the saddle as he attempts to add to his 18 Royal Ascot winners.

James Doyle has some big rides to look forward to for Wathnan
James Doyle has some big rides to look forward to for Wathnan (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Ascot is a high-pressure week and Wathnan have invested heavily so they want success,” said Doyle.

“But as we know that doesn’t guarantee success and we know how difficult Ascot can be.

“I’ve gone there some years thinking I have great chances and have come away with nothing so you need a lot of luck and everything to go right.”

When not riding one of Wathnan’s plethora of stars – which include the likes of new recruits Shartash, dual Classic-placed Haatem and King Edward VII hope Space Legend – the 36-year-old will have the backing of Roger Varian’s talented, including 1000 Guineas heroine Elmalka when she seeks to double up in the Coronation Stakes.

The jockey appreciates he is in a position many would dream of.

“Wathnan have 20-odd runners and there’s a few for Roger Varian as well, but it’s a tough week. It’s never easy is it. I’m very privileged and in a lucky position,” he said.

“Let’s hope we get plenty of luck and the horses perform to their best.”

Haatem has been added to the Wathnan ranks and will run in the Jersey Stakes
Haatem has been added to the Wathnan ranks and will run in the Jersey Stakes (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Doyle has an old ally to call on for what he feels is his best chance of the week, Richard Hannon’s Haatem, who will drop back to seven furlongs for the Jersey Stakes on the final day of the meeting.

The son of Phoenix Of Spain was owned by Sheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah when Doyle steered him to a respectable third behind Notable Speech and stablemate Rosallion in the 2000 Guineas, but having backed that up with another placed effort in the Irish equivalent, will now sport the peacock blue and gold colours of Wathnan.

“Haatem in the Jersey would be a standout chance dropping back in trip,” continued Doyle.

“He travels well and travels strongly and while not ideal dropping back a furlong, he has the right credentials to handle a race like that. He’s not a horse short of speed and he travels.

“He will be the shortest-priced horse of all of ours I imagine and he’s dual Guineas-placed. Obviously it’s a Group Three and we might scare a few off.”

Having been associated with Ascot winners already since joining the ownership ranks early last year and then invested heavily at the sales over both the autumn and spring, Wathnan have been making their presence felt in the two-year-old ranks this term, amassing an enviable collection of juveniles.

Karl Burke’s pair of Leovanni and Shareholder have both looked full of speed and are among the favourites for the Queen Mary and Norfolk Stakes respectively.

There is also another Yorkshire handler Doyle will be looking to in the two-year-old events, as he highlighted two useful colts trained by Richard Fahey.

“Catalyse worked very nicely the other morning, whether he is good enough to win a Coventry I’m not quite sure and obviously Aidan O’Brien’s horses look very smart,” explained Doyle.

“Shadow Army goes for the Windsor Castle and he worked nicely the other morning as well.”

Kingman remains the best horse James Doyle has ridden
Kingman remains the best horse James Doyle has ridden (Steve Parsons/PA)

It was 2013 when Doyle first made an impact at the Royal meeting and having struck on Al Kazeem in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, he quickly added the Royal Hunt Cup aboard Belgian Bill before booting home Clive Brittain’s Rizeena in what was a red-letter day for the fledgling pilot.

However, it was a year later when arguably the best horse of his career, Kingman, gave him what is still one of his biggest days when enacting revenge on 2000 Guineas conqueror Night Of Thunder in the St James’s Palace Stakes.

Doyle said: “It’s hard to imagine it’s been 10 years and he was a wonder horse wasn’t he. It’s great to see his progeny doing so well now.

“It was a special day – there are not many years you go into Royal Ascot with an out-and-out banker, but he certainly was in 2014.”



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Leovanni makes waves in Queen Mary market

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Leovanni caused a shake-up in the ante-post market on the Queen Mary Stakes after securing an impressive debut success at Nottingham for Karl Burke and James Doyle.

A £190,000 purchase at the breeze-up sales by Wathnan Racing, the daughter of Kodi Bear was always prominent and kept on well to win by two and a quarter lengths from Sunshine Soul at 6-4.

Last year’s renewal of this maiden fillies’ stakes was won by stablemate Beautiful Diamond, who went on to finish third in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot.

Doyle told Racing TV: “It’s always hard to tell, but all the signs are very positive. She was a true professional on her first day at school.

“She’s a breezer, so she had a bit of experience, but she floated down to the start quietly, stood in the gates when there was a few antics going on, and she didn’t get fazed at all.

“I was hoping to get a lead really, that was the plan, to try to teach her what we could today, but she broke sharply into her stride and we were left there, so I had to let her get on with it.

“She got a little unbalanced later on, she hit a few little ridges, so the whole experience will pull her together.”

Leovanni was a fifth juvenile debut winner for the Wathnan team this term and hopes are high of making an impression at the Royal meeting.

Doyle added: “It’s been a superb effort by all the team, headed by Richard Brown buying all these breeze-up horses.

“Obviously he’s an expert in all of bloodstock, but particularly the breeze-up field. He’s bought many a good winner in the past, so he’s fully qualified to be picking these ones out and he’s done a faultless job so far.

“The first hurdle is for them to win and then go on to Ascot. We know how difficult Ascot can be to win at, but hopefully we’ve got a few going there, and if a couple can hit the board and even win, that would be great.”

Coral were suitably impressed and quoted this latest two-year-old victor at 8-1 for the Queen Mary.

Spokesperson David Stevens said: “Wathnan Racing have been busy building their team for the Royal meeting and in Leovanni they look to have a juvenile filly who would have a major chance in the Queen Mary.”



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James Doyle to join Wathnan Racing as number one rider

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James Doyle will join Wathnan Racing as retained rider for the 2024 Flat season.

The 35-year-old has ridden as second jockey for Godolphin since 2015 and tasted Classic success in the royal blue silks in 2022 when partnering Charlie Appleby’s Coroebus to 2000 Guineas glory.

However, Doyle – who partnered Kingman, among others, when he was the retained rider for Juddmonte – will ride as number one for the Qatar-based Wathnan operation from the new year when his contract with Godolphin expires.

Doyle has already worn the Wathnan silks in victory, guiding Adrian Keatley’s Ballymount Boy home at Doncaster on Saturday, and has a plethora of high-profile mounts to look forward to, including Ascot Gold Cup hero Courage Mon Ami and fellow Royal Ascot winner Gregory.

Ballymount Boy and James Doyle on their way to winning the William Hill Prospect Stakes at Doncaster
Ballymount Boy and James Doyle on their way to winning the William Hill Prospect Stakes at Doncaster (Richard Sellers/PA)

“It is a tremendous honour for me to sign for Wathnan,” said Doyle, in a statement released by Wathan Racing on Monday afternoon.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for me going forward with His Highness Sheikh Tamim’s Wathnan Racing and I’m greatly looking forward to working with Olly Tait, Richard Brown and the rest of the team.

“I want to thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, Charlie Appleby and everyone at Godolphin for the unstinting support they’ve given me over the last nine years. It’s been a wonderful time and I have enjoyed literally every moment. But this is an incredible new venture and I can’t wait to get started in January.”

Many of Doyle’s biggest victories have come when riding for long-time Godolphin ally Appleby, and the Moulton Paddocks handler has fond memories of their time together.

James Doyle celebrates winning the 2000 Guineas with Coroebus
James Doyle celebrates winning the 2000 Guineas with Coroebus (Tim Goode/PA)

He said: “James has been a key member of our team for his whole time with us and, whilst we will miss him greatly, he is leaving very much with our blessing and we wish him all the very best with this exciting new chapter in his riding career.

“James and I enjoyed many big days together on the racecourse, not the least of which was Coroebus winning the 2000 Guineas last year, but he also rode a number of other stable stars like Blue Point and Naval Crown.

“To my mind, one of his great rides for us was aboard Rebel’s Romance in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland where he was quite superb. So we will continue to use James whenever his new commitments permit because he’s a world-class jockey.”

Wathnan Racing’s Adviser Olly Tait added: “Wathnan is delighted to have retained the services of James Doyle. He is a fantastic rider and an incredible addition to the team. We are all looking forward to working closely with James in the coming years.”



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