The top jockeys to note in France

Maxime Guyon

After finishing either runner-up or third in each of the last 10 years, Maxime Guyon deservedly claimed his first Cravache d’Or (French jockeys’ championship) last season.

Again, it was another season without a classic win for Guyon, though he did come close with Shaman. Shaman came into the Poule d’Essai des Poulains on the back of a win at Saint-Cloud but came up just short in his bid for classic glory as he was beaten by the potentially high-class Persian King. He will continue racing this year and may be able to provide Guyon with a few winners.

Slalom came into the Grand Prix de Paris having met with defeat for the first time on his previous start in the Prix du Jockey Club, but he resumed his progress at Longchamp, blowing the start just as he had at Chantilly, before keeping on well in the final furlong to get within half a length of the winner, Japan.

Guyon’s first “Golden Whip” was certainly a deserved one, with the jockey riding a total of 234 winners from his 1,478 rides, some 33 more winners than his nearest competitor, and he will probably take all the beating this season with that win now under his belt.

Guyon’s best chance at winning the Poule d’Essai des Poulains at this moment in time looks to be onboard the Prix des Chenes winner and Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere fourth Ecrivain, though he will have his work cut out to turn the tables on Victor Ludorum, while the three-time winner Dream and Do arguably represents his best chance at landing the first classic of the season for fillies.

In the race won by the likes of Dalakhani, Ectot and Cloth Of Stars, Ecrivain takes the Group 3 Prix des Chenes at @paris_longchamp for @MaxSamGuyon and Carlos Laffon-Parias… pic.twitter.com/9Uxi0mjUmj

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 8, 2019

Christophe Soumillon

Christophe Soumillon finished outside the top three in the Cravache d’Or for the first time since 2010 last season, but the 10-time French champion jockey, who is the retained rider for the Aga Khan, still partnered some smart horses.

Siyarafina looked potentially the best French three-year-old filly around last season when maintaining her unbeaten record under a hands-and-heels ride from Soumillon in the Prix Saint-Alary, but she then failed to meet market expectations when sixth in the Prix de Diane and was subsequently retired.

City Light had another good season in 2019, winning a minor event at Deauville before coming up just short in his attempt to make the breakthrough at the highest level when second in the Prix de la Foret.

Soumillon rode Helter Skelter, who is currently 12/1 for the Poule d’Essai des Poulains, on both occasions he emerged victorious last season, but a change of ownership saw him lose the ride in the Prix de Jean-Luc Lagardere, where Helter Skelter finished fifth, thus putting paid to arguably Soumillion’s most realistic shot at riding a classic winner this season.

Having said that, Waltham was made favourite over Group 1 winner Mkfancy in a listed event at Chantilly back in March, and he justified that support with a very stylish success. He may not have the pace for the Poule d’Essai des Poulains, but the Prix du Jockey Club is certainly an option.

Frohsim is another up-and-comer who could have his say in the French Derby. The three-year-old has won three of his four starts, including a listed event at Deauville in March, and could be another Soumillon mount to look out for this season.

Siyarafina (up 7 lb 113P)

An exciting prospect, she looks potentially the best French three-year-old filly, if not that already, and the clash between her and Hermosa could well prove one to savour.pic.twitter.com/oe6xjVe3lW

— Timeform (@Timeform) May 28, 2019

Pierre-Charles Boudot

It’s safe to say that Pierre-Charles Boudot had an exceptional season last campaign. He may have fallen short in the Cravache d’Or, but last season was very much a case of cometh the hour, cometh Pierre-Charles Boudot.

On May 12, Boudot rode Persian King to victory in the first French classic of the season, the Poule d’Essai des Poulains, identifying him as possibly the most exciting three-year-old in France, if not Europe. Admittedly, Persian King came up slightly short when attempting to complete a classic double in the Prix du Jockey Club, but Boudot himself didn’t have to wait long for more classic glory, instead steering Channel to victory in the Prix de Diane.

The best was yet to come, however, as Boudot steered Waldgeist to a heroic victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, thwarting Enable in her bid to win the race for a third successive season. It was a memorable weekend for Boudot, who rode six winners in total. That tally also included the Prix de la Foret with One Master, who was winning the race for the second year in succession, and the Prix Chaudenay with Technician, who provided Boudot with another Group 1 success when following up in the Prix Royal-Oak three weeks later.

Boudot may not have the same firepower at his disposal this year, but that’s not to say he is without chances. Emoji looks an exciting filly for Boudot, who rode her to her second win in as many starts in a Saint-Cloud listed race in March. The Summit is another who has already shown useful form as a three-year-old and is open to progress, while Way To Paris is a very smart performer who ought to be thereabouts in some of the top races this season.

WALDGEIST spoils the party!

Andre Fabre's 5-year-old on strongly to deny Enable and win the 2019 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe!

📽️ @AtTheRaces pic.twitter.com/eTtJRiMLBT

— Timeform Live (@TimeformLive) October 6, 2019

Mickael Barzalona

Mickael Barzalona shot to fame with his audacious, premature celebrations aboard Pour Moi in the 2011 Derby at Epsom and has since established himself as a hugely important part of Godolphin’s French operation.

This season Barzalona may be forced to make a hugely difficult choice as to which Godolphin charge he rides in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains. Barzalona rode both Earthlight and Victor Ludorum, the two unbeaten Andre Fabre horses that currently head the betting for the French 2000 Guineas, throughout their respective juvenile campaigns, including when landing the Middle Park aboard the former, and the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere aboard the latter.

Barzalona also steered Castle Lady to victory in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches last year, a feat he will attempt to repeat this season aboard the current French 1000 Guineas favourite Tropbeau, who finished third in the Cheveley Park Stakes on her final outing of last season.

It is unlikely Barzalona will challenge for the “Golden Whip” this season, but he could have ridden the winner of the first two classics before you know it.

Impressive - VICTOR LUDORUM shows an impressive change of gear to maintain his unbeaten record and land the Group 1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere for @mickaelbarzalon, André Fabre and @godolphin!

📽️ @AtTheRaces pic.twitter.com/wKNTA5g4PL

— Timeform Live (@TimeformLive) October 6, 2019

Cristian Demuro

Cristian Demuro enjoyed his best season as a jockey last term, racking up a total of 142 winners, only the second time in his career he has ridden 100 or more winners in a season.

The highlight of his season undoubtedly came aboard the high-class Sottsass, who put up the best performance by a winner of the Prix du Jockey Club in the last five years, breaking the course record in the process. Sottsass then improved again when finding only Waldgeist and Enable too good in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on his final outing of the season. Plenty is expected of him this season, with a second crack at the Arc well and truly on the agenda.

This season, Demuro appears to be taking over the ride on Helter Skelter, who will likely head for the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, while his best chance in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches is likely to come in the shape of dual-winner Quiet Times.

SOTTSASS comes home strongly to take the 2019 (Group 1) Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) at @fgchantilly!

Persian King in 2nd and Cape Of Good Hope staying on for 4th.

📽️ @AtTheRaces pic.twitter.com/uWXaMGfZYP

— Timeform Live (@TimeformLive) June 2, 2019