James Doyle a better rider after stint in Sydney
EUROPEAN jockey James Doyle will head back home after ending his four-month stint in Sydney.
The quality rider rode 21 city winners, mostly for Godolphin head trainer John O’Shea, but adapting to the Australian style of riding wasn’t easy.
Australian racing is often more hectic and aggressive than most other countries and Doyle quickly noticed the difference.
“It’s so different,” Doyle said. “It’s been a very demanding experience and it wasn’t easy to adjust.
“Back home when we jump out of the gates the riders are not as aggressive. Obviously, the tracks are bigger, much longer so it’s not as vital to be on the rail or in a forward spot so it’s more relaxed.”
Doyle said jockeys must be aggressive out of the barriers to ensure their mount gets the best possible run in transit.
“Whereas here to give yourself the best options you need to jump on terms to give yourself the best chance of finding the spot you want,” Doyle said.
“It’s something that when I got here I really had to sit down and think about but now I feel it comes a lot more naturally for me.”
Doyle didn’t start off his Australian campaign as hot as he was expecting, but after awhile he adjusted well and became a trusted jockey among punters.
“Looking back, when I first got here I feel like I wasn’t really making decisions during a race because the races felt like a bit of a blur,” Doyle said.
“Everything happened so quickly, you’re riding tight and the tempo’s changing but now having ridden here for four months I’ve adjusted and making decisions during the race just happens.”
As winter approaches in Australia, Doyle was prepared to head home where a busy summer period is scheduled for Godolphin.
“It’s a bit of a quiet time in Australia and the season is getting busier over here (in Britain), so it suits us well to bring James back,” Godolphin’s assistant racing manager Jim Clarke said.
Doyle is confident he’s heading back a much better rider and will put his finely-tuned skills to good use.
“I’m confident I’m going home a much sharper rider,” Doyle said. “A rider whose decision-making skills in a race come a lot more naturally.
“I’ve adjusted, I feel more comfortable riding here. We really ride tight here, basically on top of each other so you have to have your wits about yourself throughout a race. You can’t switch off for a second.
“Going home I think I’ll definitely be a better rider having experienced the tightness of racing here in Sydney and the tactical element of being a jockey here week in week out.”