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Woman jockey Marcialis makes French racing history
AFP
Last Updated IST
Representative image. Credit: AFP
Representative image. Credit: AFP

Jessica Marcialis made French racing history on Sunday becoming the first woman jockey to win a Group One race landing the Prix Marcel Boussac on Tiger Tanaka.

Even better for the 30-year-old Italian, who resumed her career after becoming a mother, her partner Charley Rossi trains Tiger Tanaka.

Tiger Tanaka and Marcialis have risen from winning at a very modest level earlier this season to landing France's most prestigious race for two-year-old fillies and on Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe day.

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"I want to say to all the mums that we can do it, so to be strong," said Marcialis, who first rode competitively in 2013.

"It's ladies day! I never thought I would get to 30 and win a Group One race.

"When I came past the winning post all I could think about was Charley and our young son who is here too.

"When I hit the front I knew I had to go for it and I could not believe I was winning!"

Rossi -- whose uncle Frederic had trained the winner of the previous Group One race the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere -- joked he had not been mad enough to think of giving her the ride it was the decision of the owner Miguel Castro.

"She rode a superb race, I am very emotional about this," said Rossi.

Tiger Tanaka may even be aimed at the Breeder's Cup in the United States in early November.

However, Rossi and Marcialis have a special request.

"We hope the goat who keeps Tiger Tanaka company in his stable will be allowed to travel with her," said Rossi.

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(Published 04 October 2020, 22:46 IST)