Jim Crowley lands Hamdan role

Champion jockey Jim Crowley has been named as the new number one jockey for leading owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.

He replaces Paul Hanagan who left the role earlier this month.

Angus Gold, the owner's racing manager, told At The Races, he was expecting Crowley to take his first rides for the Shadwell team in the lead up to the Dubai Carnival.

"Once we had spoken to Paul and Sheikh Hamdan had decided not to renew his contract, we talked it over briefly and then I spoke to Sheikh Hamdan this last weekend and he said he definitely did want to have a number one jockey so we discussed various options and he came up with the idea of Jim," Gold revealed.

"I spoke to Jim two nights ago and he confirmed he would be happy to do it. It's very exciting news and obviously we're thrilled to have him on board. He's worked his way up and proven himself to be a top jockey and he's done a brilliant job this year.

"I would love to say a couple of Classic winners but that might be a bit optimistic. The most exciting of our two-year-olds is probably the filly of Owen Burrows' (Talaayeb) who won at Newmarket - she won her only start impressively and beat another filly of ours - she could be pretty good.

"As you know, we had a funny year with a lot of horses being sick so quite a few horses only got a run at the back end of the season and remain relatively unknown quantities so next spring will be an interesting time for everybody.

"We have bought a lot of young horses this year and I think we'll have more horses in training than ever next year so there's plenty for Jim to look forward to.

"He'll be going out to Dubai for the Carnival, which starts in early January, and I'm sure he'll be in place for that. In the meantime, Dane O'Neill is still second jockey and he's out in Dubai anyway, so Jim will go out to help him."

Crowley expressed delight at having landed such a coveted role.

He said: "I'm very much looking forward to it. I'm chuffed to pieces.

"On the back of such a good year, this time of year everyone is trying to get sorted for next season but it was nice to get the offer.

"My goal is to still ride as many winners as I can and obviously it would be great to try and retain my title. Last year we didn't even think about it until after Goodwood and I imagine it will be the same again.

"First and foremost, my job is for Sheikh Hamdan and I've got to do the best I can for them. I'll probably have to ride out a bit more to get to know the horses but I'm really looking forward to it.

"I've hit the crossbar in a couple of Classics and they are the races you want to win. You want to be there on the big days, that is what it's all about."

Crowley is currently injured after he was brought down from Electrify in the four-horse pile-up at Kempton that led to Freddy Tylicki suffering paralysis from the waist down.

"I started in the gym last week, getting fit and getting some weight off," said Crowley.

"I got a bit of a kicking all over, so my back was sore and so were my ribs. But it's all settling down now and I'm looking forward to getting back.

"The plan is to go to Dubai on January 1 and I'll probably be back on the all-weather in a week - 10 days if I pass the doctor, I would say."