James Doyle to have surgery on broken collarbone

Wathnan Racing number one James Doyle will undergo surgery on the broken collarbone he sustained in a fall at Chelmsford last Friday, with William Buick and Mickael Barzalona poised to deputise on the owners’ string when available.

Doyle was riding James Owen’s Forever Proud when taking a crashing fall a furlong from home and following advice from a specialist he will be operated on and is set to be out of action for an anticipated “three to four weeks”.

Wathnan’s racing adviser Richard Brown said on Wednesday: “Obviously he broke his collarbone at Chelmsford and he’s been to see the leading specialist in this area, who is based in south Wales and looks after all the jumps jockeys.

“He has advised surgery and he will be having that tomorrow and we think he will be out for three to four weeks.”

Doyle’s absence will be felt for the first time this weekend, when Wathnan have key runners both at Sandown on Friday and in France on Sunday, with the Emir of Qatar’s team hoping to have their retained rider back in time for the summer highlight of Royal Ascot.

Brown added: “William Buick will deputise for us when available and Mickael Barzalona will do the same in France. William is going to be on Damysus (Classic Trial) and Haatem (bet365 Mile) for us at Sandown on Friday and Mickael will ride Map Of Stars in the Prix Ganay.

“Royal Ascot, of course, is always Wathnan’s big target and we hope James will be back in good time and plenty of time before that.”