SPARE a thought for flat jockey Joe Doyle who will be watching today’s Ireland-New Zealand rugby game surrounded by Kiwis.

Doyle, from Thurles, moved to New Zealand 11 months ago and is leading the jockeys’ table there. On September 30th he rode his first Group 1 winner aboard Mustang Valley and he was due to partner the same mare in another Group 1 race in the early hours of today.

Speaking to The Irish Field earlier this week, the 27-year-old said: “I came here in the middle of November last year after a chance meeting at the races which put me in touch with Tim and Margaret Carter, who train in Cambridge. That’s an hour and a half from Auckland, and six hours from Wellington.

“I’m based with them but riding freelance and it’s going well. There’s racing three or four days a week and there is plenty of travelling. My visa is good for three years and I am hoping to stay.”

Asked how the prize money compares to home, Doyle said: “The minimum stake is NZ$18,500 which equates to €10,300. So it’s not far behind Ireland and ahead of midweek purse money in England. It wouldn’t suit everyone here – the weights are 8st 7lb most days and a couple of pounds lighter on big days.”

Doyle was hopeful of riding another Group 1 winner this morning when Mustang Valley was due to run in the Group 1 Livamol Classic at Hastings. “She has won two Group 1s on heavy ground so I’d like some rain to arrive before the race but she will probably start at odds-on anyway,” he said.

There is racing again on Sunday but first Doyle will be hoping to watch the Rugby World Cup quarter final between his home country and his adopted nation over breakfast.

“The game will be on at 8am our time. As you’d expect, it’s a huge deal here but I sense they are nervous about taking on Ireland. I just hope who ever wins goes on to win the tournament.”