Barry flew out for the United Arab Emirates on Saturday after securing a visa for a three month contract with top trainer Erwan Charpy.
The Frenchman has been master of the Green Stables at Nad al Sheba for 16 years and was UAE champion trainer in the 2001 season.
"I heard about it three weeks ago," Barry told the TIMES from his base in Malton in Yorkshire. "I couldn't turn down such an unbelievable opportunity to work with a top trainer such as Erwan Charpy. It is a big step but it could open a few doors.
"I will be out there for three months and return the week before the start of the flat season - I have a few good rides lined up for then.
"It could be a bit of a culture shock to go to Dubai but I know a few jockeys out there already - Richard Mullan and Ted Durcan.
"This will be my first time away from home at Christmas," he said. "But on the other hand Ramadan has just finished - perhaps I could do with a bit of fasting myself!"
His sojourn in UAE will overlap some of the most important racing of the year including the Dubai International Racing Carnival and its Dubai World Cup Night which has a purse of $10 million making it the world's richest horse race.
"It has been a real good season," said the coy jockey in his Kildare flavoured lilt picked up from his time as an apprentice at The Curragh. "I have had 26 winners and am looking forward to the season ahead - in fact I can't wait."
Fresh from another win at Lingfield on Monday, Barry was out wetting the baby's head with his fellow jockey and new father Paul Hanagan and his trainer Richard Fahey.
Enjoying a couple of well earned drinks, Barry said, "As usual I will be drowning the poor baby," he joked, "Some professional athlete I am!"