Sheik Hamdan dumps Hanagan

Seemingly having his last ride today at Wolves, not sure if MDK has many of his in Dubai this season

ul Hanagan loses role
with Sheikh Hamdan

BY COLIN RUSSELL3:52PM 11 NOV 2016

PAUL HANAGAN has lost his job as first jockey to Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum after five years in the role.

The former champion jockey has not had his contract renewed and his rides on Althibh and Quloob at Wolverhampton on Friday will be his last for the owner.

Hanagan, champion in 2010 and 2011, was recruited by the owner after the retirement of Richard Hills and enjoyed his greatest successes on the filly Taghrooda, winning of the Oaks and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2014.

'A true gentleman'

Hanagan, 36, said: "I would like to thank Sheikh Hamdan for giving me the opportunity to ride some very special horses both in Europe and Dubai over the past five years. I have some great memories particularly of our seven Group 1 wins, two of them on Taghrooda, who gave me my first classic success in the 2014 Oaks.

"Sheikh Hamdan is a true gentleman, it has been a privilege to ride for him, and I would like to wish him and the team at Shadwell every successful in the future."

He added: "I am disappointed our partnership has come to an end, but I have to put these things into perspective particularly at this time when my close friend Freddy Tylicki has suffered life changing injuries. I am sure that I speak for everyone when I say that we are all praying for him."

The pair's best year together came in 2014 when they teamed up with Taghrooda and the Coral-Eclipse with Mukhadram.

The following year the Charlie Hills-trained Muhaarar completed a Group 1 sprint treble with wins in the Darley July Cup, Prix Maurice de Gheest and Qipco Champions Sprint. They were three of 15 wins at Group level for jockey and owner.

Taghrooda (Paul Hanagan) wins the Oaks
Taghrooda was among the best Paul Hanagan role for Sheikh Hamdan

PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
'A pleasure to work with'

Angus Gold, racing manager for Sheikh Hamdan, said in a statement: "Paul's contract was on a renewable annual basis, and I can confirm that the contract will not be renewed for 2017.

"On behalf of Sheikh Hamdan I would like to thank Paul very much for all his work for us over the last four years; we have enjoyed some great days together and he has contributed enormously to their successful racing careers."

He adds: "On a personal level I would like to pay tribute to Paul's tremendous attitude and fantastic worth ethic; he has been a wonderful team player and a pleasure to work with, and I wish him every success in the future".

Although 2016 began well when Muarrab won the £800,000 Dubai Golden Shaheen at Meydan, it has not been the best of years in Britain for the partnership with Hanagan riding 73 winners, his lowest tally since 2003, 51 of those being for his retained owner though only three at Group level.

Hanagan now has time to consider any offers that come his way, and failing any being forthcoming that he has an unstinting ally in Richard Fahey.

Sheikh Hamdan signs up Crowley to be first jockey

BY MARK SCULLY10:05AM 24 NOV 2016

CHAMPION jockey Jim Crowley has been named number one rider for owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, who ended his partnership with Paul Hanagan after four years earlier this month.

The news caps a remarkable 2016 for former jump jockey Crowley, who put together a stunning run of late-season form to bag a first Stobart jockeys' championship last month.

Crowley has been out of action since suffering a broken nose at Kempton earlier in the month but Sheikh Hamdan's racing manager, Angus Gold, said the jockey is likely to begin sporting the famous blue and white silks at the Dubai Carnival in January.

"He will be going out to Dubai for the carnival early in the new year and in the meantime, Dane O'Neill remains our second jockey and will be out there to help too," he told At The Races.

Gold said the decision to appoint Crowley had been Sheikh Hamdan's, with the deal wrapped up swiftly earlier this week.

"Once we decided not to renew Paul's contract, we spoke about it and Sheikh Hamdan decided he definitely did want to have a number one jockey," said Gold.

"So we discussed various options and he came up with the idea of Jim. I spoke to Jim two nights ago and he confirmed he would be happy to do it. It's very exciting news and we're thrilled to have him on board.

"He's worked his way up and proven to be a top jockey. He did a brilliant job to become champion and we're happy to have him."

What always is amazing is the way jockeys and trainers get dumped but one almost
never reads that the Racing manager has been changed