“I don’t know how long Ryan will stay but we’ll tell him to take as long as he wants” AIDAN O’BRIEN spent £13 million to recruit a “world-class” rider famous for elbowing opponents to replace Ryan Moore, causing controversy. Is this the end for Ryan Moore?
The horse racing world is reeling from the news that Aidan O’Brien, the master trainer at Ballydoyle, has reportedly spent £13 million to secure the services of Christophe Soumillon, a Belgian jockey with a glittering resume but a controversial past, to step in for the injured Ryan Moore. Moore, widely regarded as one of the greatest jockeys of his generation, has been sidelined with a fractured femur, an injury that could keep him out for the remainder of the 2025 Flat season. O’Brien’s decision to bring in Soumillon, a rider known for his aggressive tactics, including a notorious 2022 incident where he elbowed Rossa Ryan off his horse at Saint-Cloud, has sparked intense debate. Fans, pundits, and insiders are now questioning whether this move signals the end of Moore’s reign as Ballydoyle’s top jockey.
Ryan Moore’s injury, confirmed by O’Brien in late August 2025, came as a shock to the racing community. The 41-year-old jockey had been battling leg pain since the Irish Derby weekend, initially thought to be related to muscles or ligaments. Despite the discomfort, Moore continued to compete, delivering standout performances, including a remarkable ride on Delacroix in the Eclipse Stakes in July. A scan later revealed a stress fracture in his femur, likely aggravated during a race in Germany when his mount, Garden of Eden, whipped around at the start. O’Brien praised Moore’s resilience, noting, “In all fairness to him, he’s been riding for probably two months with a fracture to his femur. Talk about concrete, that man is concrete.” However, with recovery expected to take several months, Moore’s absence leaves a significant void at Ballydoyle during the critical autumn racing season.
Enter Christophe Soumillon, a 10-time French champion jockey with a proven track record for O’Brien, including victories in the Prix Jacques Le Marois, Prix de Royallieu, and Prix Jean Luc Lagardere. His recruitment, reportedly costing £13 million, underscores O’Brien’s determination to maintain Ballydoyle’s dominance in major races like the Irish Champions Festival, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and the Breeders’ Cup. Yet, Soumillon’s history has raised eyebrows. The 2022 Saint-Cloud incident, which led to a two-month ban, cemented his reputation as a rider willing to push boundaries. Critics argue that his aggressive style clashes with Moore’s calculated precision, while supporters see him as a necessary, albeit controversial, replacement to keep Ballydoyle competitive.
The timing of Moore’s injury could not be worse. The final months of the 2025 Flat season are packed with high-stakes races that could define the careers of Ballydoyle’s top horses, such as Delacroix, a son of Dubawi with immense stud potential. Moore’s absence, combined with Wayne Lordan’s 10-day suspension, has forced O’Brien to reshuffle his riding roster. While Soumillon is an obvious choice given his prior successes with the stable, the £13 million price tag has fueled speculation about Moore’s future. Some wonder if O’Brien’s investment signals a permanent shift, especially as Moore, who has been Ballydoyle’s number one rider for over a decade, approaches the latter stages of his career.
Despite the controversy, O’Brien has remained supportive of Moore, stating, “I don’t know how long Ryan is going to be, but we will tell him to take as much time as he wants.” This suggests that Moore’s position is secure, at least for now. However, the racing world is unforgiving, and prolonged absences can shift dynamics. Moore’s remarkable record—83 Group One wins for O’Brien, including 58 in Great Britain and 21 in Ireland—sets a high bar. Soumillon, while talented, will face intense scrutiny to match that standard, especially given his polarizing reputation.
The question on everyone’s lips is whether this marks the end for Ryan Moore at Ballydoyle. His longevity, having outlasted predecessors like Mick Kinane and Johnny Murtagh, speaks to his value to O’Brien and Coolmore. Yet, the emergence of Soumillon, coupled with the financial commitment, has sparked rumors of a changing guard. For now, Moore’s focus is on recovery, and O’Brien’s faith in him appears unwavering. But as Soumillon takes the reins in major races, the racing world watches closely, wondering if this is a temporary fix or the beginning of a new era at Ballydoyle. Only time—and Moore’s return—will tell.
