Irish jockey Smullen to ride in Dubai

Pat Smullen is to ride as stable jockey for Sheikh Ahmed in Dubai over the winter in the absence of Kieren Fallon.

Pat Smullen is to ride as stable jockey for Sheikh Ahmed in Dubai over the winter in the absence of Kieren Fallon.

It will be the third time Smullen, who is stable jockey to Dermot Weld in Ireland, has linked up with former UAE champion trainer Dhruba Selvaratnam at Jebel Ali Stables.

Selvaratnam said: "Pat is returning to us for a third season and we are delighted to welcome him back.

"Kieren has so many international commitments that he would not have been fully available until the end of January, which was not really feasible, so we are more than happy to renew our link with Pat.

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"He will be here for the duration of the Carnival and, if we have anything good enough, for World Cup night, and it should work well as Dermot Weld is also sending a few out for the Carnival."

The Jebel Ali post is one of the top jobs in the UAE, with Willie Supple, Johnny Murtagh, Gary Hind and Brett Doyle all having won championships while in the post.

Smullen was runner-up to Ted Durcan when last in the job in the 2001/02 season.

Selvaratnam is returning to Jebel Ali as retained trainer to Sheikh Ahmed after a two-season absence, in which time he was granted a trainer's licence in Ireland, where he was previously assistant to the legendary Vincent O'Brien.

Smullen is expected to arrive in time for next Thursday's Nad Al Sheba meeting and the first Jebel Ali meeting of the season the following day.

PA