'It came as a bit of a shock' - Hollie Doyle reacts after losing retainer to owner Imad Al Sagar to Oisin Murphy

Hollie Doyle expressed her shock on Monday after it emerged a five-year stint as retained rider to Derby-winning owner Imad Al Sagar had come to an end, with multiple champion jockey Oisin Murphy taking up the role immediately in a "change of strategy".

Doyle, who spoke of her surprise over the timing of the decision at the height of the Flat summer, was appointed to the role in 2020 and has partnered 38 winners for the Classic-winning owner and breeder, including the notable highs of three Group 1 wins on Nashwa in 2022 and 2023.

However, Al Sagar's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe revealed the partnership had come to an end following Doyle's second on Rouane for the owner at Newbury on Friday. 

Grimthorpe said: "It's a change of strategy. We've had some wonderful years with Hollie and Imad wanted to have a bit of a change. Our relationship with her is still strong and I hope it will continue to be so.

"Oisin will be the way forward when available. Oisin is contracted to Qatar Racing and Prince Faisal so I'd imagine we'd be third down. 

"We've had a great time with Hollie but we felt it was time for a change."

Imad Al Sagar (right), owner-breeder of Nashwa, with his star after the 2022 Nassau StakesCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Writing for At The Races, Doyle said she learnt of the decision on Friday.

Doyle said: "Unfortunately, I was informed on Friday I’d lost my long-standing retainer with leading owner Imad Al Sagar. 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.

• A fabulous start, history-making days and Classic glory - the best moments of Hollie Doyle's retainer with Imad Al Sagar 

"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."

Murphy's spell as retainer for Al Sagar, a Derby winning-owner with Authorized in 2007, got off to the perfect start when he won on Gamrai in the 1m2f maiden stakes at Windsor.

He will also partner Moderna at Kempton on Tuesday before taking over on the owner's Group 1-entered May Angel in the Acomb Stakes (2.25) at York on Wednesday. The possible Dewhurst contender won a Southwell novice impressively last month.

Grimthorpe added: "May Angel is in good form and he'll run provided the ground isn't too fast. We'll find out more about him, but we're hopeful. 

"Zgharta also goes to York in a fillies' handicap on Friday. She has come out of Goodwood really well and looks progressive."

Grimthorpe selected the 2022 Prix de Diane success aboard Nashwa as the highlight of the Doyle-Al Sagar era. Doyle rode the homebred daughter of Frankel on all 18 starts, winning five races.

He said: "Nashwa in the Prix de Diane was a very special day. That was definitely the highlight. She was a homebred at Blue Diamond Stud Farm and seeing her win a Classic was a very special moment."

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A fabulous start, history-making days and Classic glory - the best moments of Hollie Doyle's retainer with Imad Al Sagar 

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