Ffrench was champion apprentice in 1997, and rode for Luca Cumani
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Royston Ffrench is to replace Robert Winston as the first-choice Flat jockey for the team of trainer Howard Johnson and owner Graham Wylie.
The decision was made before Winston broke his jaw in a serious fall at Ayr on Saturday.
It is a major career boost for the 1997 champion apprentice, who has been riding well all season.
"You don't get these opportunities every day, and you have to make hay while the sun shines," he said.
"It's still a word-of-mouth arrangement, but we sorted it out last week and Mr Wylie and Mr Johnson would like me to ride their horses."
The big-spending Johnson and Wylie partnership have already become a leading force in jump racing but only recently turned their attention to the Flat.
One of Ffrench's first rides for them will be in next week's Scottish Equitable Gimcrack Stakes at York aboard Coventry Stakes runner-up Pacific Pride.
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