FRAN Berry will no longer be stable jockey to classic-winning trainer Ralph Beckett.

Berry had been one of the leading riders in Ireland for many years, having passed the 1,000-winner mark in 2015, and joined the Beckett team in February 2016.

However, the 36-year-old jockey's time in England has been blighted by injury and his association with the trainer has now ended "by mutual consent".

A statement posted on the Kimpton handler's website (www.rbeckett.com) read: "Both Fran and I feel that this is the right decision to make going forward. I am grateful to Fran for his considerable efforts over the last year or so, and wish him the best of luck in the future."

Beckett had previously been without a stable jockey since Jim Crowley, who is now retained by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, went freelance in 2014.

Berry said he intends to remain in England as a freelance rider.