Shadwell issue update on Jim Crowley replacement and retained rider policy after legendary jockey’s retirement

POWERHOUSE racehorse owners Shadwell have issued an update on a possible replacement for jockey Jim Crowley after his enforced retirement. Former champion jockey Crowley, 48, announced he was hanging up his saddle last weekend some ten months on from a devastating fall at York. Shadwell are all set to continue their ‘best available’ policy with regards jockey bookings after Jim Crowley announced his retirement with immediate effect Credit: PA Tom Marquand has been Shadwell’s go-to man when it comes to riding their horses trained by William Haggas Credit: Alamy He had one of the best jobs in the sport as retained rider for Shadwell, steering the likes of Baaeed and Hukum to a whole host of Group 1s. The late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum founded Shadwell and it is now run by his daughter Sheikha Hissa, who was at Royal Ascot to celebrate Almeraq’s victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes in June. The William Haggas-trained sprinter – who Crowley was on when he suffered that horrific fall on the Knavesmire – was ridden by Tom Marquand that day. Shadwell have tended to use a trainer’s go-to jockey for their horses in Crowley’s absence. And it looks like that policy is set to continue, according to the most recent update on the retained rider situation from racing manager Angus Gold. The Shadwell operation has been scaled back since Sheikh Hamdan’s death five years ago and Gold does not expect someone to fill Crowley’s void. He said: “Obviously we haven’t discussed it. “If you were asking my opinion I think it’s highly unlikely. Most read in Horse Racing “We don’t have enough horses really to appoint a big name stable jockey, so I think it’s very unlikely. “This year as you’ve seen we’ve been using the best available, in conjunction with the trainers, and I’m sure that will continue, certainly for the immediate future. “We’ll sit down and have a discussion at some stage, but we’ve only got 15 or 16 older horses in work now, the rest are two-year-olds and the majority of them haven’t run yet. “So at the moment it’s not really a role that’s conducive to appointing a big name.” Crowley called his retirement bombshell ‘the hardest decision of my life’. An icon of the weighing room, he said: “Since my accident I’ve been struggling to get back to fitness. “I’ve had five operations, the last of them three weeks ago. “Mentally, I still think I can do it, but physically, it’s just not possible to get back to the level I would want to reach. “I’ve got a rod through my tibia, a plate in my fibula, a plate across the front of my pelvis with eight screws and I’ve got another two screws in my hip. “In total I’ve got 20 screws, two plates and one rod in my leg. “I had internal bleeding after the accident and very nearly died that day. “The injuries I suffered have made me realise how fortunate I’ve been to enjoy such a long career doing something I absolutely loved. “While it’s difficult to close this chapter, I do so with immense pride.” FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here. Comment now