Former champion jockey Seb Sanders takes work-rider role with Charlie Appleby

Former champion Flat jockey Seb Sanders has taken a work-rider role with Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby.The 45-year-old shared the title with Jamie Spencer in 2007 after their memorable battle went right down to the final race of the season at Doncaster, with Spencer eventually drawing level on 190 victories with a last-gasp winner.Sanders - who did not ride in Britain in 2016 - gained his first Group One success in the 1997 July Cup aboard Compton Place.He enjoyed a famously fruitful relationship with Sir Mark Prescott, which resulted in French Oaks glory for Confidential Lady in 2006 and Hooray winning the 2010 Cheveley Park Stakes, but struggled with his weight in the latter stages of his career, even riding in just socks rather than boots.Sanders also steered Look Here to win the 2008 Oaks at Epsom, and Appleby feels that kind of experience is invaluable on his team.He said: "He is a great asset to have riding out for us. We have a team of work riders with a wealth of experience. I'm very lucky to already have Willie Ryan, Oscar Urbina, Jamie Mackay and Kirsty Milczarek, who has also joined us."We have some good established riders and, as they say, you are only as good as the team you have around you."We are building a nice team of horses and getting together the right group of lads. I've got a champion jockey here, a Derby-winning jockey here and others that bring a wealth of experience."He has been here the last couple of weeks and is riding out on a daily basis like the rest of the lads. I employ him to ride two or three lots in the morning and be here on work mornings. That is our agreement."