Leading French jockey Jacques Ricou is looking forward to a spell riding out for Willie Mullins in Ireland over the winter.
Ricou is set to arrive later on this week and will work for the County Carlow handler, although there are, as yet, no plans for him to appear in any races.
The 35-year-old is a multiple champion jockey in France and has also won a couple of Grade One races in 2015.
He rode his first winner for the veteran Irish trainer aboard Gitane Du Berlais in the Prix Juigne at Auteuil in March and cannot wait to work with someone who, he feels, is peerless in the sport.
“I’m very happy to go and work for Mr Mullins,” he said. “For me, he is the best trainer in Europe. I have ridden for Mr (Guillaume) Macaire and some of the best trainers in France, so I wanted to work for the best trainer in Ireland and I think I am a very lucky man.”