goodbye my friend...
KERRIN MCEVOY paid tribute to the Godolphin team after announcing he is to take up a new role in his native Australia.
The 27-year-old from Streaky Bay, South Australia, admitted he could not pass up the opportunity to become the retained rider of Sheikh Mohammed's newly-purchased string of horses from Woodlands Stud.
McEvoy has been in England for five seasons, principally as number two rider to Frankie Dettori for Godolphin, but he has also enjoyed big-race successes for a string of other top-flight trainers.
The likes of Sir Michael Stoute, William Haggas and John Dunlop have all used his services regularly.
"Obviously I'm really excited about it, but I'll be very sad to leave, I've had a great time in England," McEvoy told Teletext.
"I've thoroughly enjoyed working for Godolphin with Saeed (Bin Suroor), Simon (Crisford) and Frankie and I've met some fantastic friends.
"It's quite an emotional time and the English and European racing scene is so good, it has been great to be involved and I'm really grateful to Godolphin for the opportunity to be a part of it, I definitely will miss that."
Sheikh Mohammed spent over £200million on buying up a string of horses in Australia and has hired Peter Snowden to train them at his Sydney base.
McEvoy added: "Darley have horses scattered all around, but they are mainly with Peter and with Lee Freedman in Melbourne.
"So I'll be spending most of my time in Sydney at the main base and then travelling to Melbourne for the Spring Carnival.
"It's all been quite sudden. I have to finalise a few things here and I'll be back in Australia next Sunday and my first meeting is on Wednesday week."
McEvoy has ridden one Classic winner, Rule Of Law in the St Leger in 2004, but rates Shamardal as the best he has ridden in his time here.
He said: "I've had a terrific run and working for Godolphin has been great. I'd have to say the St Leger is at the top of the pile, it was my first Group One in England and I feel very privileged to have won a Classic.
"I had a really special couple of days at (Royal) Ascot this summer with Collection and Festivale, especially to win on horses trained by two of my biggest supporters, apart from Godolphin, in Mr Haggas and Mr Dunlop.
"I haven't ridden much for Mr (Clive) Brittain this year but he gave me fantastic support, as did Mr Stoute before Ryan Moore came back from injury.
"I'm going to miss riding for those people, it's been really great."
Bin Suroor said: "He is a great jockey and has helped us out a lot over the last five years. He is always happy, tries his best, and everyone at Godolphin loves him.
"It is sad he is leaving, but to be number one jockey to Sheikh Mohammed in Australia is a great job for him and I wish him the best of luck."
McEvoy rode Brittain's Rajeem to victory in the Falmouth Stakes in 2006 and not surprisingly he was also fulsome in his praise.
"It will be a shame to lose him from English racing," said Brittain
"He's such a well-respected character and a top-class jockey."
Despite McEvoy's departure, Godolphin have no plans to replace him at this stage.
Racing manager Simon Crisford told
www.godolphin.com: "We are really sorry to see Kerrin go - he has been a great asset to the stable over the last few years.
"Everyone at Godolphin has enjoyed working with Kerrin and we would like to wish him every success in the future.
"He hasproved himself to be a world-class international jockey.
"Godolphin will not be replacing Kerrin and there are no plans to retain a second jockey."