Racing's worst kept secret - that Michael Kinane will be stable jockey at Ballydoyle next season - was finally confirmed yesterday. The move immediately resulted in Pat Smullen being appointed Dermot Weld's new retained rider.

The official appointment of Kinane had been regarded as inevitable for most of this year, especially after the retirement of Christy Roche in August.

According to reports, Kinane has signed a two-year contract which allows him to ride all the Aidan O'Brien-trained horses in Ballydoyle as well others owned by the Coolmore Stud boss, John Magnier, and Michael Tabor throughout Europe. Aidan O'Brien commented yesterday: "It's a relief to have the whole thing sorted out. Michael will probably be on Stravinsky for us in Saturday's Dewhurst Stakes."

Kinane and Weld had teamed up for almost 15 years with some stunning international successes mixed in with multiple domestic championship wins for each. Vintage Crop's Melbourne Cup success and Go And Go's win in the Belmont Stakes were the highlights; but Weld wasted little time replacing Kinane with 21-year-old former champion apprentice Smullen.

"Pat Smullen is a very talented young rider who has ridden a lot of winners for me. It was a pretty easy decision to pick him and he will be retained for next year," Weld said yesterday. "

A delighted Smullen said: "It's unbelievable to be in one of the top jobs in the country. It's a privilege. Maybe from the outside it looked like I would get it if Mick moved but I was always just hoping. I'll be riding in Dubai for the winter but this will be something to look forward to." Weld also announced yesterday his intention to slightly reduce his string of horses for next season.

"I told my owners at the start of this season that I would cut the number of horses I train slightly next year and I am sticking with that plan. Racing seven days a week is very demanding and I want to continue to enjoy my racing," Weld said.

Tchaikovsky is set to lead the Aidan O'Brien team in Saturday's Group Three Juddmonte Beresford Stakes at the Curragh.

Winner of his only start over seven furlongs at the course last month, Tchaikovsky will be one of a multiple O'Brien challenge, but the trainer said: "Tchaikovsky looks the most likely runner among our entries at this stage."