Jim Crowley named as Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid’s first rider: ‘It is a great opportunity’

Jim Crowley, left, is targeting the Dubai World Cup Carnival jockeys' title following his appointment as Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid's first rider. PA

Jim Crowley is looking forward to the chance of adding the Dubai World Cup Carnival jockeys’ title to his recent crowning in Britain after it was announced he will be first rider for Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid.

After the departure of Paul Hanagan two weeks ago the Minister of Finance himself chose the British champion jockey, and racing manager Angus Gold offered the 38-year-old rider the position on Tuesday evening.

Crowley rode 184 winners from 991 rides in Britain this year, which included a record 46 in the month of September. He will not be nearly so busy in Dubai this season, but underlined the thirst for success that drove him to his first championship last month.

“It is a great opportunity for me and there is no reason why I cannot be champion in Dubai as well as in England again,” he said. “I hope to a have ride in most races and when I do not I’ll hope to pick up spares. It was a lovely surprise to get the phone call. You can never expect anything in this game and in some ways it was nice to get the recognition.”

Crowley expects to fly out to Dubai on January 1 in preparation for the opening night of the Carnival at Meydan four days later. Hanagan finished second in the Carnival standings in the past two seasons with all his experience of UAE racing behind him but Crowley has never had a winner in Dubai from 39 rides. His enthusiasm is undimmed.

“I can’t wait to get my teeth in to it and just because I won’t have as many rides as in England I wont be putting my feet up,” he said. “I’ve hit the crossbar in Dubai a couple of times. I like to be busy and when I get back to England my goal is to ride as many winners as I can and I hope to retain my title.”

Crowley had ridden just 14 times for Sheikh Hamdan in the past five seasons in Britain for one winner. He came on the owner’s radar by proving this season that he not only has the talent, but the determination and work ethic to ride for any top operation.

The Englishman is a former jumps jockey who has experience of working for one operation as stable jockey to Ralph Beckett for four years. Crowley then went freelance in 2014 and even enjoyed a spell as a retained rider to Dubai regulars Jim and Fitri Hay.

Dane O’Neill, who has been riding in the UAE for Sheikh Hamdan since the start of the season, will continue to be second jockey.

Gold also revealed that Sheikh Hamdan will have possibly the biggest string he has ever had in Britain next year after a flurry of action at the sales this autumn.

Crowley has been on the sidelines since the end of last month, when he was involved in a horrifying pile-up between four-horses at Kempton Park in England that left fellow rider Freddy Tylicki paralysed from the waist down. Crowley was more fortunate, and has recovered from his broken nose and is looking to be back in the saddle in the next 10 days.

“It was like being in a car crash,” he said. “I got a kicking all over. My back is still sore and my ribs hurt when I cough or laugh.

“I started in the gym last week, getting fit and getting some weight off so I’m looking forward to getting back.”

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