French jockey Mickaelle Michel lands Australian first
In her quest to become an international jockey, Mickaelle Michel has ticked off another bucket list item with a victory at Flemington
The French jockey’s win on Southern Fire in the Tour d’ Horse Trophy (1200m) was a blowout for punters with the Stephen Brown-trained galloper sent out an $81 chance with betting sites.
Michel started out riding in France and applied her trade in Mauritius, Ireland, Japan, Belgium, Saudia Arabia, Germany, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Sweden and now Australia.
She had her first look at Flemington last week after arriving earlier in the month and Saturday’s ride aboard Southern Fire was only her third since arriving.
“This is one of the biggest tracks around the world, so I’m very happy to win,” Michel said.
“That was my wish to win a race here but wishes and what come true can be different.
“But I’m very happy to win a straight race as I hadn’t ridden in one for a long time as I left France two years ago.
“It’s just perfect.”
Travelling with her husband Fred, a former jockey, Michel has a six-month visa to ride in Australia where she is being supported by Bendigo-based trainer Brent Stanley.
She said she would like to extend her stay in Australia.
“I would like to stay longer, and I will work on this with a lawyer,” Michel said.
“I started (living) in Melbourne and now I’m living in Bendigo for the past two days. It’s a very nice town and I saw some kangaroos which has made me happy.
“I enjoy the country, it’s very nice. People are very welcoming.”
Michel said there would be no big celebrations following her maiden Australian victory.
“My trainer Brent Stanley told me I would be winning a race today, so to be winning at only my third race, is better than I had thought,” she said.
“I’m supposed to go to the Australian Open tonight. It will be not be a big party as I have to ride (at Mornington) tomorrow, just a quiet dinner and get ready for tomorrow.
“But this is the next step on where I want to go in being an international jockey.”
More Racing News
Darley australia to host retired godolphin colts tentyris and observer
A pair of Godolphin colts, each with two Group 1 wins under their belts, have ended their track careers and will stand at stud with Darley later this year.The decision to retire Tentyris and Observer was made public on Monday, seeing them allocated to Darley Australia's separate venues.By Street Boss,...
Ciaron Maher eyes four entrants for VRC St Leger
The champion stayer trainer Ciaron Maher counts one horse already locked in for Saturday's Listed VRC St Leger at Flemington, but he is pushing for substantially more involvement in the key event.Among the 28 declarations for the $200,000 2800-metre race are Awesome Artist, Noble Falcon, Intervened, and Tasmanian Derby champion...
New Zealand's Confesara eyes victory in Australasian Oaks
The track record of Roger James in capturing Australian Group 1 events for three-year-old fillies goes all the way back to the beginning of the 2000s, and he seeks to add to that tally this coming Saturday.Teaming up with co-trainer Robert Wellwood, the Kiwi conditioner has entered Confesara for the...
Adelaide hosts Niance's campaign launch
Grahame Begg, the trainer, is travelling to Adelaide featuring his capable mare Niance, potentially opening doors to a Brisbane-focused campaign for the quick runner.Since Flemington lacks fitting sprint races for Niance on Saturday, Begg chooses the Group 3 John Hawkes Stakes (1100m) held at Morphettville.By chance, Flemington's Anzac Day schedule...
Cap Ferrat set for reunion with Williams in Queen Elizabeth II Cup
The top jockey Craig Williams seeks to conclude a demanding weekend on a high note with a Group 1 win in Hong Kong, reuniting with 2025 Hong Kong Derby champion Cap Ferrat in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin come April 26.On Saturday, Williams boasts almost a...
Recon hands Carey elusive Hareeba Stakes success
Pat Carey, the hometown conditioner, has banished his Hareeba Stakes hoodoo after Recon unleashed a dazzling closing effort to take out the prize at Mornington.Carey had endured ongoing frustration in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m), pursuing a victory across several campaigns, notably second with Kelthorpe in 2006 and third via...
All Aged Stakes delivers Beiwacht's second elite victory
Hall of Fame conditioner Chris Waller's unbeaten autumn dominance in Sydney received a fitting finale from Godolphin's Beiwacht, who powered to a determined lead-all-the-way success versus a elite opposition in the Group 1 $1.5 million All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.In addition, Waller filled the first two...
Mornington Cup win gives Kings Valley direct entry to Caulfield Cup
Kings Valley, under the guidance of trainer Ciaron Maher, has clinched a ballot exemption for the Caulfield Cup courtesy of a gritty performance at Mornington.The Listed Mornington Cup conquest on Saturday delivers the 'Golden Ticket' access to the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) scheduled for October.Maher notched his second Mornington...
Pride stable trifecta topped by Mazu in Hall Mark Stakes
At eight years old, the exceptional Mazu maintains his sharp turn of foot and zest for competition, setting the tempo wire-to-wire for his third consecutive triumph in Saturday's Group 3 $250,000 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m).Previously, Pride's star had mastered the Hall Mark on rain-affected surfaces where he excels, but facing...
Waller's record Sydney autumn run ends with Fireball edging Champagne Stakes
Chris Waller, the celebrated Hall of Fame trainer, notched a historic Sydney Saturday Group 1 sweep as Fireball got the better of stable companion Campione D'Italia in Saturday's $1 million Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick.The autumn carnival's eighth straight (and last) Sydney Saturday of Group 1 races saw Waller...