The French Connection: How Jockey Mickaelle Michel Is Making Her Mark In The U.S.

Only one week removed from Hollie Doyle's barrier-breaking success in the G1 Prix de Diane, another young female jockey with French connections has landed in the United States to try her luck.

Mickaelle Michel's journey with horses started as many young horse girls do.

“From my younger age, I loved horses,” the 26-year-old said. “When I was 14, I knew I would like to work with them but I didn't know exactly which job. So I checked the internet and found a jockey school close to my house. I said, 'I'll try one week, just one week to try the job.' And I fell in love.”

That passion has sparked an international journey that has led Michel from France, to Japan, to Saudi Arabia, Italy, and finally, the United States.

“My French agent [former jockey Frederic Spanu] told me it's really important to travel so I can learn and see something new. Because every horse racing tactic is different in every country,” Michel said.

Michel found quick success in France, winning a total of 72 races and capturing the 2018 leading apprentice jockey award. Despite that success, including topping the Cagnes-sur-Mer winter flat meeting, Michel was ready for new and exciting opportunities abroad.

“In 2020, they [Japan] asked me if I want to come during two months for a championship [the World All-Star Jockeys Challenge]. My plan was just to do two or three months in Japan in the beginning of 2020 and then come to the U.S.,” she said.

Michel wound up winning one of the contest races and finishing third overall in the challenge but, as everyone knows, plans in early 2020 were subject to change.

“During my trip to Japan, I had to go back home because everything was canceled,” Michel said.

Her change in plans wound up having a silver lining, as she was introduced to her first group winner, Walderbe (Ger) (Maxios {GB}), whom she rode to success in the G2 Gran Premio Del Jockey Club S. in October of 2020.

 

WATCH: Mickaelle Michel guides Walderbe to victory in the Gran Premio del Jockey Club in Milan

 

“It was not really that bad for me because I found a very good horse who I won my first group race. So maybe, if COVID hadn't come around, I would've missed that,” she said.

After tasting success in Europe and Japan, Michel was eager to make another change.

“My French agent had talked to me about the United States from the beginning,” she said. “I have a good riding style for the U.S., but Japan asked me first so we put that to the side and said we'll go to Japan. But with the Japanese border still closed to me at the beginning of 2022, I thought, maybe it's a nice time to move to the U.S. because now I am already experienced. So we made the decision to come.”

Adjusting to life in the United States has been a welcome relief from the strict structure of French racing. Speaking of her first impressions of the tracks and racing culture here, she said, “It's very different from France. Everyone here is very nice and more open-minded. It's easier to speak with famous trainers in the United States. Even if you don't work for them, it's still nice that everyone is open. You can come out every morning and say 'I would like to work with you'. The training is a little bit different because I have to learn the clock but, I'm really happy and it's been very nice.”

Michel's career in the U.S. began May 26 at Churchill Downs when her mount, Good Measure (Smarty Jones), took second in an allowance race for trainer Graham Motion. In the weeks since, she has ridden for trainers such as Jack Sisteron, Robert Gorham, and Mike McCarthy while riding at Churchill Downs, Belterra Park and Horseshoe Indianapolis.

“Good Measure was the first horse I rode in the U.S.,” Michel said. “She's in really good shape. I rode her a few days ago and she looks very good so I look to have a good result like the first time”

Scheduled for two rides initially June 24 but scratched down to just the one, Michel again rode Good Measure to a runner-up effort in an allowance race at Churchill Downs. She makes her next start for trainer Mark Casse on June 29, riding Janis Joplin (California Chrome) in a maiden special weight contest at Churchill.

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Ballroom Blitz Victorious In Best Of Ohio Distaff At Mahoning Valley

Mahoning Valley Racecourse in Youngstown, Ohio hosted five $100,000 Ohio Thoroughbred Race Fund (OTRF) Best of Ohio stakes on Saturday, Oct. 30, and despite less than ideal weather conditions, these events gave racing fans a delightful afternoon of excitement.

Ballroom Blitz captured the first event, the Best of Ohio Distaff for registered Ohio-bred fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, besting six rivals handily over the one and one-eighth miles in 1:53.71 with jockey Gerardo Corrales in the irons. Bred and trained by Robert Gorham for owner Marion Gorham, this 3-year-old daughter by Alternation-Tangueray Miss, by Cowboy Call picked up her fourth career starts in 13 tries as the 4-1 choice, upping her career earnings to $152,215.

“This filly is relatively young and as with most of the 3-year-olds, she's been improving at this time of year,” said trainer Gorham. “The jockey gave her an excellent ride, so it was just a great day for her.”

Ballroom Blitz finished 7½ lengths ahead of 8-5 rival Sally Strong (Luis Rivera), with 7-1 High Fire (Luis Gonzalez) third.

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Equibase ‘Investigating’ Incident In Which Horse Reported Scratched Won At Thistledown

Tuesday's first race at Thistledown in North Randall, Ohio, was won by a horse named Chargedwith Intent. Part of a two-horse entry in the race, Chargedwith Intent had been reported scratched prior to the running of the race on Equibase, while his stablemate Swift Punch had been reported as running. Both horses are trained by Robert Gorham.

Instead, Swift Punch did not appear in the starting gate, and Chargedwith Intent went on to win the race. The race was off at 12:55 p.m. Eastern, and Equibase did not correct the error until after the race had been run, at 1:06 p.m.

“Equibase is aware of the matter involving the first race at [Thistledown] racetrack today,” Equibase said in a statement on social media. “We have been in contact with our limited partner, [Thistledown racetrack], and are currently investigating the matter.”

On the official chart, Swift Punch is listed a scratch by his trainer.

Pat Cummings, executive director of the Thoroughbred Idea Foundation, posted on Twitter a letter he sent to the Ohio Racing Commission requesting an investigation of the error.

“At best, this is a mistake, perhaps by the track, or recipients of information from the track or its vendors,” Cummings wrote. “At worst, something potentially nefarious occurred. It is impossible for customers who wagered more than $128,000 on bets within and connected to this race to know for certain what occurred, but they have been aggrieved by this incident.”

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