Jockey to ride for Godolphin in Australia this winter

James Doyle, who recently lost his position as first jockey to Saeed Bin Suroor, is to ride for Godolphin in Australia while James McDonald, the operation's number one jockey in the country, continues to be investigated over an alleged betting offence.

Godolphin's managing director in Australia, Henry Plumptre, said: "While we continue to support James McDonald over the period of the investigation, we also have a racing stable to run and James Doyle, who is a retained jockey for Godolphin, is one of the best jockeys in the world.

"With the winter recess in the UK, he is available to ride in Australia for Godolphin and Sheikh Mohammed, and we are delighted to have him."

John O'Shea, Godolphin's principal trainer in Australia, added: "We're blessed to have another world-class rider to step in when needed. James has been a member of our team here in Australia in the past and has always fitted in extremely well."

'Looking forward to the challenge'

Doyle, who is due to head to Australia early in December, said: "I have really enjoyed my visits to Melbourne and Sydney to ride for Godolphin in feature races like the Golden Slipper and Cox Plate over the past two seasons.

"This is a great opportunity to spend more time in Australia and I'm looking forward to the challenge."

McDonald, who created a favourable impression when he rode in Britain for a short period over the summer, faces a charge of either placing bets, or being party to bets placed, on subsequent Group 1 winner Astern when the colt won on his debut last December.