Supersub James Doyle out to land King George on 'faultless' Crystal Ocean

James Doyle has described Crystal Ocean, his big-race partner in a stellar King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes on Saturday, as faultless with the go-to rider looking to enhance his growing reputation as a supersub for the big occasion.

Doyle was called up by Sir Michael Stoute in the Group 1 contest last year, when the leading jockey partnered Poet's Word to victory over stablemate Crystal Ocean in a titanic finish to the midsummer showpiece.

And the trainer has again turned to Doyle to deliver him a seventh King George success at the weekend, with the rider this time entrusted to bring last year's runner-up home in front of a quality field set to be headed by superstar mare Enable.

“He’s been faultless this season and in his preparation for this race,” Doyle said. “I had a sit on him last Friday and gave him a canter at home and he feels like a very straightforward horse to ride and he looks that way in races. In every run he’s had he’s been uncomplicated and he’s tactically versatile, which is useful.

“He’s a proper, solid Group 1 horse now. The form of his Prince of Wales’s win looks strong with Magical, who finished second, a top-class performer as well as the third horse [Waldgeist], so I’m looking forward to the race.”

Poet's Word (right) gets the better of Crystal Ocean in last year's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth StakesCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Stoute has not been the only one to turn to Doyle to deliver at the top level, with the jockey steering Big Orange, Blue Point and Ribchester to Group 1 glory when their regular riders have been otherwise unavailable.

The Godolphin rider has also been taking the lion’s share of rides for Sheikh Mohammed’s operation this summer as William Buick is sidelined by injury, with his victories including a memorable Group 1 double in the King’s Stand and Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on star sprinter Blue Point.

“It’s very nice to be given the opportunities I have had,” Doyle said. “I’m in a fortunate position and will continue to be so when Will gets back, as my contract gives me the opportunity to ride for Godolphin but also to be available to ride for others and operate at the top level.

“I saw Will on Sunday and he’s well. He’s hoping to be back riding very soon.”

Enable proves far too good for Crystal Ocean in the September StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Doyle takes over on Sir Evelyn de Rothschild’s Crystal Ocean on Saturday with Frankie Dettori, who partnered the five-year-old to win a first Group 1 at Royal Ascot, taking the ride on King George favourite Enable, while Ryan Moore looks set to partner this year’s Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck.

The biggest obstacle standing between Doyle and back-to-back King Georges is the formidable Enable, who returned from a prolonged break to win the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown and defeated Crystal Ocean on their only previous meeting in the September Stakes at Kempton last year.

Crystal Ocean is an 11-4 shot to overhaul the odds-on favourite, and Doyle is well aware of the challenge he faces in trying to beat her.

He said: “She’s unbelievable. She brings her A-game every time she runs and we’re under no illusions it will be a tough ask to beat her.

“I go out to ride in every race trying my best to win and trying to work out the best way to do that. We’ll give it our best shot.”

Doyle's mount was sent off favourite for last year’s King George when William Buick was in the saddle, but has taken his form to a new level this year winning all three of his starts and recording a personal-best Racing Post Rating in the Prince of Wales's Stakes last month.

Four big winners for super sub Doyle

Blue Point
King's Stand and Diamond Jubilee 2019

Doyle replaced the currently sidelined William Buick aboard Blue Point at Royal Ascot last month on what proved to be the star sprinter's final two starts. Blue Point landed a top-level double at the meeting that had only been achieved by Choisir since the Diamond Jubilee was granted Group 1 status in 2002 and was subsequently retired to stud.

Poet's Word
Prince of Wales’s Stakes 2018

Riding commitments for Ryan Moore and Frankie Dettori left Sir Michael Stoute searching for a jockey for Poet’s Word at Royal Ascot last year and Doyle proved the perfect replacement. Doyle, who struck aboard Al Kazeem in the Group 1 contest in 2013, repeated the feat on Poet’s Word and maintained the partnership for the horse's final two starts; winning the King George, beating Crystal Ocean by a neck, and finishing second to Roaring Lion in the Juddmonte International.

Big Orange
Ascot Gold Cup 2017

Frankie Dettori was ruled out of Royal Ascot on the morning of the first day due to a persistent arm injury and the ride on leading Gold Cup hope Big Orange went the way of Doyle – a decision that was more than justified. In one of the most stirring finishes to a Group 1 in recent years, Doyle galvanised Big Orange to a short-head success over Order Of St George.

Ribchester
Prix du Moulin 2016

Doyle was reunited with Richard Fahey’s stable star due to Buick being out of action after Permian’s fatal fall in Chicago the previous month and celebrated Group 1 success at Chantilly. Ribchester relished the ease underfoot to score by three quarters of a length and was partnered by regular rider Buick on his final two starts before being added to Darley’s stallion roster in 2018.

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