Jockey James Doyle is set to replace Harry Bentley aboard dual Group 1-winning sprinter Limato (Ire) (Tagula {Ire}) this summer. Bentley has ridden the 5-year-old gelding in his last six outings, including wins in the G1 Darley July Cup and G1 Prix de la Foret last year. Limato was sixth in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita in November and beat just two home over softer than ideal going in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint on Mar. 25.
Trainer Henry Candy said of the rider change, “It's a matter between Harry and [owner Paul Jacobs] and I wouldn't like to comment. I believe Mr Jacobs has spoken to James Doyle's agent and that is as far as it's got. I would imagine James will be very busy, so we'll just take it as it comes. The horse is in good form.”
Bentley confirmed he had lost the ride during a Racing UK interview at Chester on Friday, saying, “I'm not going to lie, it's a massive setback for me and I'm incredibly disappointed to have lost that ride. As a jockey you really need that one horse that puts you out there and unfortunately I've lost that, but take nothing away, I've had some amazing days with him, so I'm very, very grateful for those. He gave me two of my best days of racing so far with winning the July Cup and then the Prix de la Foret. We had some fantastic times and that can't be taken away from me; he's taken me to a new level and given me some opportunities I wouldn't have had otherwise.”
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