Atzeni Renews Old Alliance

After just one season in the job Andrea Atzeni is leaving his role as retained jockey for Sheikh Fahad Al Thani’s Qatar Racing. Atzeni has accepted the position of first jockey to Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, a role the Sardinian-born rider previously held. Obaid has been in the news recently for removing around thirty five horses from Luca Cumani and transferring them to Roger Varian. Atzeni’s new link up will therefore see him ride primarily next season for Roger Varian, for whom he has already ridden a Classic winner when steering Kingston Hill (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) to victory in the 2014 G1 St. Leger. Confirming his new situation Atzeni said, “I am delighted to be formally renewing my association with both Sheikh Mohammed Obaid and Roger from next season. I have been lucky enough to enjoy some of my best days on horses like Postponed (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Kingston Hill and so I am really excited at the prospect of the two joining forces. However, it was far from an easy decision to make as it means leaving my existing job with Qatar Racing. I would like to thank Sheikh Fahad personally, both for his support and for agreeing to release me from my contract. I have very much enjoyed being part of the Qatar Racing team. I am also so pleased that Simple Verse was rightly reinstated as the winner of the St Leger and that I can say I rode Qatar Racing’s first British classic winner.”