Jockey James Doyle forced to miss multi-million pound races for new employers Wathnan after bizarre injury

TOP Flat jockey James Doyle is on the naughty step after he got injured hunting.

The former Godolphin man has signed for big-spenders Wathnan Racing this season.

PA:Press Association

Doyle has been forced to miss huge races for new employers Wathnan after getting injured while out hunting with pals[/caption]

But he was forced to miss a glitzy multi-million pound fixture in Doha last weekend after he picked up an injury whilst hunting with pals in the New Year.

And he is not jocked up for any of their rides this Saudi Cup weekend, which include Bolthole in the £1.6million Neom Turf Cup.

Doyle, 35, landed big race success with Shaquille and Warm Heart last season and decided to step away from his role as Charlie Appleby’s No2 to Will Buick.

Rising force Wathnan Racing, headed by Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, then snapped Doyle up on a lucrative big-money contract.

Doyle will be a gun for hire at times this year and has not ruled out a tilt at the jockeys’ title.

He had ridden for Godolphin since 2015 but jumped at the chance to be main man for an outfit who won the Ascot Gold Cup with Courage Mon Ami last season.

Frankie Dettori was in the saddle that day on what, at the time, was believed to be his last ever Ascot before his dramatic retirement U-turn.

Wathnan also had Group 2 Queen’s Vase winner Gregory ridden by Dettori too.

After joining Wathnan, Doyle said: “It is a tremendous honour for me to sign for Wathnan.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for me going forward with His Highness Sheikh Tamim’s Wathnan Racing and I’m greatly looking forward to working with Olly Tait, Richard Brown and the rest of the team.

“I want to thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, Charlie Appleby and everyone at Godolphin for the unstinting support they’ve given me over the last nine years.

“It’s been a wonderful time and I have enjoyed literally every moment.

“But this is an incredible new venture and I can’t wait to get started.”

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