2000 Guinea-winning jockey James Doyle is leaving Sheik Mohammed’s Godolphin after eight years to join Wathnan Racing as No. 1 rider
- James Doyle is Wathnan Racing’s new jockey
- He will end an eight-year stint as William Buick’s second jockey at Godolphin
- Wathnan Racing is owned by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani
James Doyle has become the regular jockey for the up-and-coming power team Wathnan Racing.
It means the 35-year-old will end an eight-year stint as William Buick’s second jockey at Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation.
Wathnan Racing is owned by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. They took to the stage at Royal Ascot with victories in the Gold Cup (Courage Mon Ami) and Queen’s Vase (Gregory).
Doyle wore the Wathnan colors when he won at Doncaster on Ballymount Boy on Saturday. Other horses in their line-up include French 2,000 Guineas runner-up Isaac Shelby, Mill Reef Stakes runner-up Mister Sketch and the respected Richard Hannon-trained two-year-old Serene Seraph.
Doyle said: “This is a great opportunity for me.”
Classic jockey James Doyle will leave the powerful Godolphin team after eight years