James Doyle has called time on his retainer with Godolphin and joined the Emir of Qatar’s fast-growing Wathnan Racing operation.
Doyle, 35, partnered the Sheikh Tamim-owned Ballymount Boy to victory in the Listed Prospect Stakes at Doncaster on Saturday, and will be seen more regularly in the owner’s blue, beige, and red silks in 2024.
James Doyle – top rider changes jobs
He said: “It is a tremendous honour for me to sign for Wathnan. It’s an amazing opportunity for me going forward and I’m greatly looking forward to working with Olly Tait, Richard Brown, and the rest of the team.”
Doyle leaves Godolphin at the end of 2023 having previously ridden as number one jockey in the pink, lime green, and white silks for Khalid Abdullah.
Doyle said: “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.”
Charlie Appleby provided Doyle with his biggest Godolphin victories said: “James has been a key member of our team for his whole time with us and, while we will miss him greatly, he’s 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 2,000 Guineas last year, but he also rode a number of other stable stars like Blue Point and Naval Crown. We will continue to use James whenever his new commitments permit because he’s a world-class jockey.”
Olly Tait, who formerly worked for Sheikh Mohammed’s breeding operation, Darley, before joining Wathnan Racing as an adviser last year, saw Doyle as an “incredible addition” to the Qatar operation.
“Wathnan is delighted to have retained the services of James Doyle,” Tait said.
“He’s a fantastic rider and an incredible addition to the team. We’re all looking forward to working closely with James in the coming years.”
This time 12 months ago, no one had even heard of Wathnan Racing. A year on, and the ownership group is now a significant player at the sales and regularly competing in big races on the track.
Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim, whose brother Sheikh Joaan operates Al Shaqab Racing and cousin Sheikh Fahad acts as principal for Qatar Racing, has rapidly expanded his racing interests this year, and celebrated a Royal Ascot double courtesy of Courage Mon Ami in the Gold Cup and Gregory in the Queen’s Vase.
