Godolphin’s retained jockey James Doyle will part ways to join Wathnan Racing in 2024.
The news broke on Monday afternoon via Nick Luck that James Doyle will become the retained rider for new Qatari-based owners Wathnan Racing next year.
Doyle, who sits on the 86-winner mark for the season, has enjoyed many memorable days in the saddle since joining Godolphin as a retained rider back in January 2015, including a first Breeders' Cup success onboard Rebels Romance in the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf last year.
He enjoyed a first British Classic victory when the Charlie Appleby-trained Coroebus landed the 2022 Qipco 2000 Guineas Stakes, while other notable successes include Blue Point's famous Royal Ascot King's Stand – Diamond Jubilee Stakes double back in 2019 and Naval Crown's Royal Ascot triumph.
The 35-year-old Cambridge-born jockey was last seen in action when partnering Wathnan Racing's Ballymount Boy to success in the Listed Prospect Stakes at Doncaster on Saturday.
In a statement released by Wathan Racing on Monday afternoon, Doyle said: "It is a tremendous honour for me to sign for Wathnan,"
"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."
James Doyle has ridden 190 winners in the UK and Ireland for long-time ally Charlie Appleby and the Moulton Paddocks handler suggested they will continue to use Doyle when available.
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."
Doyle will be able to look forward to partnering with the likes of Ascot Gold Cup hero Courage Mon Ami and fellow Royal Ascot winner Gregory when his new contract with Wathnan Racing begins in 2024.
