McDonogh on the Aga Khan radar

WHILE SPECULATION continues about a possible formal link-up between Frankie Dettori and Coolmore, an announcement is expected soon on which jockey will take over from Johnny Murtagh as the Aga Khan’s retained rider in Ireland for 2013.

Last month’s contract termination between Murtagh and the Aga Khan has resulted in a number of jockeys carrying the famous green and red colours in recent weeks.

Significantly Declan McDonogh has been drafted in by the Aga’s principal trainer John Oxx more than most and the former champion jockey was on board Karamaya in Sunday’s Birdcatcher Nursery at Naas.

However, the Aga Khan’s spokesman in Ireland, Pat Downes, stressed yesterday no decision has yet been taken although he did confirm the powerful bloodstock empire is on the look out for a retained jockey here.

“I would imagine something will be in place for next year within the next two to three weeks but there is nothing at the moment,” Downes said yesterday. “We are considering it but there is no huge panic. We are nearly at the end of the season so there is no pressure about it. I’m sure John Oxx will consider the situation and make a recommendation,” he added.

The Aga Khan’s other trainer in Ireland is Michael Halford who extensively uses Shane Foley who is enjoying an ultra-successful 2012 season. Christophe Lemaire is the Aga’s retained jockey in France. Prior to Murtagh, Fran Berry was number one rider at the Oxx yard for the year following Mick Kinane’s retirement.

The fallout from Godolphin’s announcement that Frankie Dettori won’t ride for them in 2013 continued yesterday when the increasingly influential Pearl Bloodstock team ruled out hiring the Italian.

The bloodstock interests of Sheikh Fahad Al Thani are being expanded all the time and the Qatari will have a retained jockey next year. However, it now looks like Irishman Jamie Spencer could be in line for the coveted post.

Al Thani’s bloodstock adviser, David Redvers, said yesterday: “We love Frankie and think he’s fantastic. He is a great ambassador for racing and we are always happy for him to ride for us, but he will not be retained by us next year.

“We will, however, be retaining a jockey and will be making an announcement during the week. A firm decision has been taken but no contract has yet been signed, so it would be inappropriate to say who our number one rider will be.

“Jamie Spencer is one of a number of jockeys we admire and like enormously but I stress that no contract has been signed with anyone.”

Initial indications at the weekend that Dettori will ride as a freelance next year hasn’t stopped Paddy Power offering odds of just 4 to 1 about the legendary jockey being formally announced as Aidan O’Brien’s number one for 2013. Dettori’s acceptance of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe ride on O’Brien’s triple Classic winner Camelot is widely believed to have accelerated the break-up of the jockey’s 18-year association with Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation.