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SAHorseracing.com
Godolphin announce two new jockeys

William Buick and James Doyle are to leave high-profile jobs with John Gosden and Khalid Abdullah respectively to ride as joint-number one jockeys to Godolphin from 2015.

In a move announced on the Godolphin website, Buick will ride as first jockey to Charlie Appleby and Doyle will be retained as first choice for Saeed bin Suroor.

Godolphin said the new contracts will not come into effect until both jockeys have fulfilled their current riding arrangements, completing all contractual obligations to their present employers.

The jockeys will interlink with each yard and form crossover cover when commitments allow. They will ride Godolphin horses in the UK trained by John Gosden and other trainers, too.

Horses that have raced for Gosden in the colours of Princess Haya of Jordan will now be in the royal blue of Godolphin as an extension of the global branding of the organisation.

Both jockeys will also ride horses for the organisation that are stabled in Ireland, France, America, Australia and Japan when required.

Their first contractual role to Godolphin will be to ride for their respective yards throughout the Dubai Carnival in 2015.

Mickael Barzalona will continue to ride for Godolphin in France, but Silvestre de Sousa's contract has not been renewed.

Buick said: "I have been very fortunate to have been employed by John Gosden since I completed my apprenticeship and without his faith and wise counsel I would not be in the position that I am in today to take what is, in my opinion, the most coveted position in world racing.

"John has shown me great loyalty and given me access to Classic winners and success on a world stage. No jockey has had a better mentor. Now I am looking forward to sharing the Godolphin riding arrangements with my very good friend James.

"Both of us have had to make hard decisions but no-one has made a commitment to world racing like Sheikh Mohammed and it is an honour for both of us to be invited to be a part of his team."

Doyle has enjoyed terrific success this season in the Abdullah colours aboard the Gosden-trained Kingman and Lady Cecil's Noble Mission.

He said: "I have had a wonderful season riding for Juddmonte and Prince Khalid during which I was fortunate to ride the best horse of my career so far in Kingman.

"Noble Mission was another great racehorse produced by Juddmonte that helped bring my career forward.

"I shall always be eternally grateful for that one-year contract which leaves me with great memories. Now I look forward to sharing riding duties with William at Godolphin and continue to achieve great things in the world of horse racing."

John Ferguson, Sheikh Mohammed's bloodstock advisor, said: "Sheikh Mohammed has always respected both William and James and when their availability was confirmed at the end of this season he was keen to secure their services for the future.

"I think this is yet another clear indication of Godolphin's continued pursuit of excellence in both horses and humans."

Appleby said: "I honestly could not be happier because I will now be able to use two of the best jockeys in the world. William has global experience at the highest level and worked very closely with me this season. We have already had Group One success with Charming Thought in the Middle Park and having James to call on as well is a massive bonus."

Bin Suroor added: "This is a great arrangement. I have already had success with both James and William. James has ridden Group horses for me this year and has proved himself on a world stage and I will also have access to William, which is terrific." 

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