Andrea Atzeni © Photo Healy Racing
Andrea Atzeni said it was "far from an easy decision" to leave his role as retained rider for Qatar Racing to take the same role with Sheikh Mohammed Obaid.
Sheikh Obaid hit the headlines recently when deciding to move all his horses, including King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Postponed, away from Luca Cumani and send them to Roger Varian.
Atzeni used to ride for Varian before his link up with Qatar Racing, and also partnered Postponed to his famous victory at Ascot, ahead of Obaid's retained rider at the time, Adam Kirby.
Atzeni can at least leave his contract with Qatar Racing having won a Classic, with Simple Verse reinstated as the St Leger winner.
"I am delighted to be formally renewing my association with both Sheikh Mohammed Obaid and Roger from next season," Atzeni told www.varianstable.com.
"I have been lucky enough to enjoy some of my best days on horses like Postponed and Kingston Hill and so I am really excited at the prospect of the two joining forces.
"However, it was far from an easy decision to make as it means leaving my existing job with Qatar Racing.
"I would like to thank Sheikh Fahad personally, both for his support and for agreeing to release me from my contract with Qatar Racing. I have very much enjoyed being part of the Qatar Racing team, working closely with Sheikh Fahad, David Redvers and Kevin Darley. And Bryony (Smith) in the racing office has been brilliant to work with.
"I am so pleased and proud that Simple Verse was rightly reinstated as the winner of the St Leger and that I can say I rode Qatar Racing's first British classic winner.
"Roger has played an important part in my career and Sheikh Obaid has also been very supportive of me and I hope we will enjoy a lots of winners together in the future."
Varian stated Atzeni is also likely to have the opportunity to ride for many of his other owners, too.
David Redvers, racing manager for Qatar Racing, said they did not want to stand in Atzeni's way.
"We are naturally disappointed that Andrea has decided to leave his job with Qatar Racing. He was contracted with us for two years and we were pleased with how everything was progressing," said Redvers on www.qataracingltd.com
"However, we do not want to stand in his way and have therefore released him as from the end of the year, and we wish him well next season.
"In the meantime Andrea - along with Oisin (Murphy) - will continue riding for Qatar Racing in accordance with their contracts."
