Kinane splits with O'Brien
Michael Kinane revealed today that he will not ride as stable jockey to Aidan O’Brien at Ballydoyle next season.
Kinane, who will be crowned Irish champion for the 13th time tomorrow, is expected to continue riding as a freelance.
He confirmed he will have his last rides as official No.1 to O’Brien at Leopardstown on what is the last day of the Irish Flat season.
He partners two-year-old newcomer Offenbach in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Stakes and the highly-promising Mikado in the Listed Eyrefield Stakes.
Those two rides for O’Brien are among a total of seven mounts he has on a card that has been put back a week following the death of Irish apprentice Sean Cleary.
Kinane, 44, was to have been in France tomorrow to partner Magritte in the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud, but was switched to Leopardstown when O’Brien scratched the colt, who did not scope clear this morning.
He has been stable jockey at Ballydoyle for the past five seasons, having previously been with Dermot Weld from 1984 until 1998.
Speculation will be rife as to who will succeed Kinane in the saddle at Ballydoyle, and one of the favourites will be Jamie Spencer.
Spencer was born in Tipperary and spent the early part of his career in Ireland before moving to Britain. He won the St Leger for the Ballydoyle yard on Brian Boru in September and has no main retainer in this country.
