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Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Hollie Doyle responds to losing riding job to Oisin Murphy: "A bit of a shock"
The record-breaking rider found out on Friday that her five-year association with owner-breeder Imad Al Sagar, for whom she rode Nashwa, was ending, with Oisin Murphy taking her spot Hollie Doyle has made her first comments s ince losing her job as number one rider for owner-breeder Imad Al Sagar. Britain's winningest female jockey, rider of more than 1,000 winners in Britain alone, became the first of her sex to win a Classic race when she captured the French Oaks, Prix de Diane, in 2022 on the Al Sagar-bred and owned filly Nashwa. Nashwa was to play a pivotal role in establishing Doyle on the sport's major stages as she and her jockey claimed three Group 1 victories, adding the Nassau and Falmouth Stakes, before she retired. The 28-year-old was appointed Al Sagar's first retained jockey in 2020, going on to ride 38 winners in the role. On her latest ride for the owner at Newbury on Friday she finished a neck second on Rouane in a novice's race for two-year-old fillies. Champion jockey Oisin Murphy is aboard his next runner, Gamrai, in a maiden at Windsor on Monday for which the once-raced John and Thady Gosden-trained colt is set to start second favourite. Going forward Murphy will ride as first jockey when not required by Qatar Racing under what connections called a 'change of strategy'. Al Sagar's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe told Mirror Online: 'Imad was looking for a change, a slight change of strategy if you like. 'We've had five fantastic years with Hollie, with Nashwa being the highlight in the Prix de Diane. Oisin is one of the leading jockeys and I think Imad wanted to use his services if he could. He continued: 'Imad spoke to Hollie the other day. She's been a big part of Blue Diamond and I hope will continue to do so.' Doyle expressed her disappointment at losing the role in her blog for At The Races, her first comments since the news broke. She said: 'Unfortunately, I was informed on Friday I'd lost my long-standing retainer with leading owner Imad Alsagar. It came as a bit of a shock, particularly at this stage of the season. 'I've been a part of Imad's operation for five years, riding 38 winners including at the highest of levels. We've enjoyed numerous stakes winners, a Royal Ascot winner and a Classic winner with the wonderful Nashwa in the Prix de Diane in 2022, followed by two further Group 1 successes. 'I have nothing but the utmost respect for Imad and would like to thank him for giving me such an amazing opportunity at a formative stage of my career. I wish him and the team the very best of luck in the future.'
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Hollie Doyle loses job as Oisin Murphy replaces her in role
Hollie Doyle will no longer serve as the retained jockey to owner Imad Al Sagar, with Oisin Murphy set to step into the role instead. Doyle was aboard each time Al Sagar's brilliant mare Nashwa hit the track, steering her to three Group One triumphs during the peak of her career. Whilst the official retainer has now concluded, Al Sagar and his racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe are eager to preserve their connection with the jockey. "We're keen to stress that we have had a fantastic relationship with Hollie throughout, and we hope that will continue for many years to come in different forms," said Grimthorpe. "There are, however, moments when it is time for a change and Imad felt this was the right time to move on. "We will now use Oisin, when available, in the absence of Hollie." Doyle, Britain's most successful female jockey, became the first female to win a Classic race when she landed the French Oaks in 2022 on Nashwa. Doyle said after Nashwa's retirement: 'She came along at a pivotal time in my career and she has been a star for the stud, Imad and myself. She took my career to new heights and I'll be forever thankful to her for that and I thank Imad for the opportunity.' Murphy will now ride as first jockey for Al Sagar when he is not required by Qatar Racing.
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Hollie Doyle loses top riding job to be replaced by champion jockey Oisin Murphy
Hollie Doyle has lost her job as number one rider to Imad Al Sagar's Blue Diamond Stud. Britain's most successful female jockey, rider of more than 1,000 winners in Britain alone, became the first woman to win a Classic race when she captured the French Oaks, Prix de Diane, in 2022 on the Al Sagar-bred and owned filly Nashwa. Doyle was ever-present on Nashwa, winning five out of 18 times, and earning more than £1.6 million in prize-money. Three of those successes were in Group 1 races as she added the Nassau and Falmouth Stakes before she retired in 2024. Horse racing goes on strike for the first time in extraordinary move First Arc for Japan? Exciting Alohi Alii sets up big race bid at Deauville At the time Doyle said: 'She came along at a pivotal time in my career and she has been a star for the stud, Imad and myself. She took my career to new heights and I'll be forever thankful to her for that and I thank Imad for the opportunity.' The 28-year-old was appointed Al Sagar's first retained jockey in 2020, going on to ride 38 winners in the role. On her latest ride for the owner at Newbury on Friday she finished a neck second on Rouane in a novice's race for two-year-old fillies. Champion jockey Oisin Murphy is aboard his next runner, Gamrai, in a maiden at Windsor on Monday for which the once-raced John and Thady Gosden-trained colt is set to start second favourite. Hollie Doyle riding Nashwa (green) to win the Qatar Nassau Stakes With some of the Al Sagar string trained by Andrew Balding, Murphy will ride as first jockey going forward when not required by Qatar Racing. Al Sagar's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe told Mirror Online: 'Imad was looking for a change, a slight change of strategy if you like. 'We've had five fantastic years with Hollie, with Nashwa being the highlight in the Prix de Diane. 'Oisin is one of the leading jockeys and I think Imad wanted to use his services if he could. He continued: 'Imad spoke to Hollie the other day. She's been a big part of Blue Diamond and I hope will continue to be so.'
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Hollie Doyle loses top riding job to be replaced by champion jockey Oisin Murphy
The record-breaking rider's five year stint with Nashwa owner Imad Al Sagar has come to an end with Murphy starting the role at Windsor on Monday Hollie Doyle has lost her job as number one rider to Imad Al Sagar's Blue Diamond Stud. Britain's most successful female jockey, rider of more than 1,000 winners in Britain alone, became the first woman to win a Classic race when she captured the French Oaks, Prix de Diane, in 2022 on the Al Sagar-bred and owned filly Nashwa. Doyle was ever-present on Nashwa, winning five out of 18 times, and earning more than £1.6 million in prize-money. Three of those successes were in Group 1 races as she added the Nassau and Falmouth Stakes before she retired in 2024. At the time Doyle said: 'She came along at a pivotal time in my career and she has been a star for the stud, Imad and myself. She took my career to new heights and I'll be forever thankful to her for that and I thank Imad for the opportunity.' The 28-year-old was appointed Al Sagar's first retained jockey in 2020, going on to ride 38 winners in the role. On her latest ride for the owner at Newbury on Friday she finished a neck second on Rouane in a novice's race for two-year-old fillies. Champion jockey Oisin Murphy is aboard his next runner, Gamrai, in a maiden at Windsor on Monday for which the once-raced John and Thady Gosden-trained colt is set to start second favourite. With some of the Al Sagar string trained by Andrew Balding, Murphy will ride as first jockey going forward when not required by Qatar Racing. Al Sagar's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe told Mirror Online: 'Imad was looking for a change, a slight change of strategy if you like. 'We've had five fantastic years with Hollie, with Nashwa being the highlight in the Prix de Diane. 'Oisin is one of the leading jockeys and I think Imad wanted to use his services if he could. He continued: 'Imad spoke to Hollie the other day. She's been a big part of Blue Diamond and I hope will continue to be so.'
The Sun
04-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Oisin Murphy breaks silence after £70,000 drink-drive ban and jets out of Britain for huge £330,000 ride
OISIN MURPHY is jetting out of Britain a day after his £70,000 drink-drive ban and grovelling apology for a late night car crash. The four-time champion jockey was given the massive fine and 20-month disqualification at Reading Magistrates' Court on Thursday following his guilty plea. Murphy smashed his Mercedes into a tree in Hermitage, Berkshire, and left a female passenger with 'serious injuries' just after midnight on April 27. The BHA have confirmed the 29-year-old Irishman is free to continue riding. And he has the chance to get back almost half of his fine in one go thanks to a money-spinning ride in the US on Friday night. Murphy heads to New York for the leg up on Qatar Racing-owned New Century in the Belmont Derby at Saratoga, where victory in the 10.45pm BST contest is worth £330,000. Should Murphy oblige on the well-backed 7-4 favourite he could expect roughly ten per cent of the winnings - around £30,000. He won't spend long in the US though. Murphy is right back into the thick of things at Sandown on Saturday for their brilliant Coral-Eclipse card. He'll fly overnight from the States and land in time for the ride on Royal Ascot winner Adrestia in the 1.50 at the Surrey track. That's the first of seven rides on the day, the highlight being 2,000 Guineas winner Ruling Court in the Eclipse itself. Murphy released a statement on X on Thursday evening after his guilty plea. He said: "I would like to sincerely apologise for my actions. "I know that drink driving is unacceptable and there is no excuse for what I did. "I have let a lot of people down. "I particularly want to apologise to my passenger and her family. "Due to the police investigation, I have so far been able to share only minimal details of my offence with the British Horseracing Authority. "I will now be fully co-operative with their enquiries. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who:
