Irish jockey Fran Berry is to relocate to the UK as stable jockey to Classic-winning trainer Ralph Beckett.
Berry, 35, passed the 1000-winner mark last year and was number one jockey for John Oxx for a while.
He enjoyed his first Group One success on Pathfork for Jessica Harrington in the National Stakes at the Curragh in 2010.
Beckett, who saddled Simple Verse to win the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster in September, has been without a stable jockey since Jim Crowley went freelance in 2014.
"I am delighted to announce that we have come to an arrangement with Fran Berry to ride as first jockey at Kimpton Down," the trainer told www.rbeckett.com.
"He and his family will relocate to this area early next month, and he will be riding out here on a daily basis. Jockey's agent Tony Hind, will be booking his rides.
"At times, I have found the last 18 months frustrating without a first choice rider. Fran, at 35-years-old, is in his prime, and as a Group One-winning rider with international experience, this is an ideal solution."
