Darley leaves Johnston to go freelance

Former champion jockey Kevin Darley has announced he is to revert to riding as a freelance with immediate effect. The 46-year-old firmed up his long association with the Mark Johnston yard at the outset of the current campaign but the liaison has yielded only 11 winners so far this season.

Darley, who won the St Leger on Bollin Derek in 2002, was seen to good effect on the Johnston-trained Peppertree Lane in the Group Three Curragh Cup in Ireland last month. The Yorkshire-based rider struck up a successful partnership with the same trainer's Soapy Danger last summer when steering him to glory in the Group Two Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket as well as the Group Three Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot.

Darley, who has ridden 43 winners this Flat season, is currently recovering from a fall at York on Saturday but intends to be back at Goodwood tomorrow. Darley said: "I have decided to go freelance to make the most of the opportunities available to me and wish to be in the position where I am able to accept rides from owners and trainers who require my services at the time of asking."