Ryan Moore announced as lead rider for Ballydoyle

Ryan Moore and Ruler Of The World winning the 2013 Investec Derby at Epsom Downs. Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

Top QIPCO British Champions Series trainer Aidan O’Brien has confirmed that Series jockey Ryan Moore will be the main rider for his Ballydoyle yard this season.

Moore, winner of the Investec Derby in 2013 for O’Brien on board Ruler of The World, moves ahead of the County Tipperary-based trainer’s son, Joseph, in the riding pecking order.

O’Brien Jnr, who has struggled to maintain a sustainable weight on the Flat, has been riding over hurdles of recent and is expected to take a more prominent role in the coming months over obstacles.

Of the riding arrangements for the up-coming QIPCO British Champions Series, Aidan O’Brien said: “Ryan will be riding our main horses this year and Joseph [O’Brien] will be riding other horses when the weights allow him to. Seamie Heffernan and Colm O’Donoghue will also be involved as in the past.”

Speaking to the Racing Post, he added: “I’d imagine that if he wants to, Joseph will continue to ride over hurdles.”

Moore won his first British Classic for O’Brien in 2012 when Homecoming Queen won the QIPCO 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.