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Horse Racing

Mystery as £10.5million duo – one of the best ever in racing – announce split as jockey chooses not to ride for owner

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ONE of the biggest money-earning partnerships in racing has mysteriously ended after the jockey chose not to ride for the owner again.

David Egan, 23, from Ireland, has won more than £10.5million in the saddle of globe-trotting superstar Mishriff – the highest-earning horse still in training.

The mega money-making partnership of Egan and Mishriff has ended – and now one of the best rides in the world is up for grabs

The pair won the world’s richest race, the Saudi Cup, in February 2021 before adding the Dubai Sheema Classic and the Juddmonte in a stellar 2021.

Mishriff was a fast-finishing second to Vadeni in the Coral-Eclipse recently and is second favourite for next weekend’s King George at Ascot.

Egan was in the saddle for the Eclipse at Sandown but next weekend’s ride is up for grabs after he chose to end his retainer with Mishriff’s owner, Prince Faisal.

The association has come to an immediate end with James Doyle booked to ride the Roger Varian-trained Sajwaan at Newbury on Saturday.

In a statement, Prince Faisal’s racing manager Ted Voute said: “Prince Faisal asked me to update the press regarding his retained jockey.

“David Egan has not signed his 2022 riding contract, so Prince Faisal has decided to revert to best available jockey, starting with Sajwaan, a first-time-out two-year-old that runs on Saturday who will be ridden by James Doyle.”

Voute later praised Egan for his work on Mishriff which went back to the start of 2020, adding: “We have had an amazing partnership and both parties are very proud of our accomplishments together to date.

“We wish David all the best in the future.”

Frankie Dettori is being touted as a possible replacement for Egan.

The legendary Italian, 51, who recently ended an 11-day ‘sabbatical’ with John Gosden after a fallout, won the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano aboard Mishriff in August 2020.

Dettori will be back aboard 1-2 Irish Oaks favourite Emily Upjohn at the Curragh on Saturday.

He will look to avenge her narrow Epsom Oaks defeat to Tuesday, when the horse stumbled out of the stalls.

Dettori will also look to put right his shock 1-7 defeat aboard Inspiral in the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket last week.

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