Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan, James Doyle
Thursday 8 January 2015 23:38, UK
James Doyle's switch from being the retained rider for Juddmonte to joining Godolphin caused an eyebrow or two to be raised but the jockey is confident he made the right decision.
Speaking to Racinguk.com on the eve of the Carnival, the 26 year-old explained that it was the global allure of the brand that proved irresistible.
“They are one of the best operations in the whole world,” he said from Dubai.
“Of course Juddmonte are up there with the horses Godolphin have but I think the challenge of working for a global brand was too good to miss.
"Godolphin have horses in Japan, Australia and America. Sure it was a tough call, but there are opportunities everywhere and I may get the chance to ride in all of those countries.”
Doyle is now in possession of a role that could well see him crowned Dubai World Cup Carnival top jockey in his first season attached to Saeed bin Suroor’s Al Quoz stables, before he returns to Europe for the turf season after the World Cup at the end of March. Bin Suroor has been top trainer seven times.
“I think the ups and downs that I had in my career have helped me and I wouldn’t have had it any other way,” he said. “It has taught me to be humble and take things as they come. It has paid to remain level-headed and not get too worked up or carried away.”
He has six mounts at Meydan today but has already been forced into having to choose between two star names
In the Listed Singspiel Stakes Doyle has decided to ride True Story, the Dante Stakes third who has been gelded, in favour of Be Ready, once a Godolphin Classic candidate.
“Be Ready has been pleasing us out here. He ran well at Doncaster in 2013 when he won a Listed race, which shows he is definitely up to this standard,” he said.
“He beat Barley Mow by three lengths that day but I think the way he won that day he showed he has real potential.
“He has had some problems so they let him down so he could develop physically and mentally.
“True Story will be more ready than him first up, which is why I am riding him, but Be Ready is a nice horse in the making and I hope that in time he will be a better horse than True Story.
“As he is out of an American dam there might be an opportunity to try him on the dirt, and he is a mile and a quarter horse so who knows?”
