Paul Hanagan loses role as Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid’s retained rider: ‘It has been a privilege’

Paul Hanagan rides Muhaarar to victory at the British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot in 2015. Alan Crowhurst / Getty Images

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid has terminated Paul Hanagan’s contract as his retained rider with immediate effect.

The decision was taken last weekend, and came to light just before Hanagan finished fourth for trainer Owen Burrows aboard the Minister of Finance’s Quloob in a two-year-old maiden at Wolverhampton in England on Friday night.

Hanagan was due to fly out to Dubai for the World Cup Carnival in the new year, but for the foreseeable future, Dane O’Neill will continue to partner the bulk of horses for last season’s champion owner in the UAE in his position as second jockey.

The decision does not come entirely out of the blue. Two months ago a British newspaper ran a story suggesting that Hanagan, who has been retained for four years, would be replaced by James Doyle, the out-of-favour Godolphin rider.

On Friday night, Angus Gold refuted those claims. “James Doyle has not been, and never has been, approached as far as I know,” Sheikh Hamdan’s racing manager said.

Hanagan, 36, was named first-choice jockey by Sheikh Hamdan on the retirement of Richard Hills on World Cup night in 2012. Hanagan, who was champion British rider in 2010 and 2011, rode seven Group 1 winners in all for Sheikh Hamdan, including Taghrooda’s success in the 2014 English Oaks and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and Muhaarar’s three top-level wins last season.

Hanagan’s season began promisingly when he guided Muarrab to victory in the Dubai Golden Shaheen at Meydan in March, but since then he has ridden just 73 winners in Britain — his lowest for 13 years.

Hanagan issued a statement saying it was “privilege” to ride for the high-profile owner.

“I would like to thank Sheikh Hamdan for giving me the opportunity to ride some very special horses, both in Europe and Dubai,” he said.

“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.

“I am disappointed that 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.

“Thankfully, I am still fit and healthy and am enjoying my riding as much as ever.

“It is too early to say what my plans are for the future, but I will continue to work as hard as ever and am looking forward to meeting the new challenges that lie ahead.”

Hanagan rode for 79 trainers in Britain this year, and had more than one winner with just 13 of them. In terms of numbers, this has not been the worst season for Sheikh Hamdan but his only European Group 1 victory — Awtaad’s success in the Irish Guineas in May, was ridden by Chris Hayes who has now moved to Fozzy Stack’s stables in Ireland from Kevin Prendergast’s.

“Paul worked incredibly hard, was a good work rider and a fantastic stable jockey and is an outstanding man,” Gold said.

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