Mickael Barzalona relives his winning moment

One of the iconic images of the 2012 Dubai World Cup at Meydan was that of French jockey Mickael Barzalona standing up in his stirrups even before passing the winning post, saluting the crowds as he steered his horse Monterosso to win the $10 million (Dh36.7 million) prize, in the richest horse race in the world. In that split second, the Lyon-born 21-year-old became a racing legend, proving to the world that he was a potential heir to the throne of Frankie Dettori.

It takes tremendous skill for a 52kg, 162cm tall jockey to not only win the race but to do what he did – stand up even before the horse completed the race and wave to the crowd. With his swashbuckling performance Mickael not only demonstrated his passion for the sport and his immeasurable confidence, he also underscored the fact that racing is one of the greatest visual sports in the world.

In sweeping the stakes last year, this jovial young man surprised the world’s racing community while upsetting the calculations of the racing pundits.

“It was fantastic, unbelievable,” recalls Mickael as he relives his glorious moment last year. “Moments after the race began, I turned and saw that I was far ahead of others. My trainer had advised me to keep the horse relaxed and to soothe his temperament. So although Monterosso was a little slow I did not push him too much. But once we hit the final stretch, he ‘asked’ me if he could surge ahead. I had been holding the reins tight and I loosened them up a bit and gently tapped his back with the whip.

“In answer he just shot off. I knew then that Monterosso had a good winning chance. It was an amazing victory. I’d always dreamt of being part of the Dubai World Cup while in France and here I was winning it. I have no words to describe what I felt.”

The Mickael trademark

Very few jockeys have registered such dramatic wins in the manner Mickael has. For instance at the English Derby at Epsom Downs in 2011 he won in his trademark manner, standing up in his irons aboard Pour Moi and saluting the stands as he defeated, among others, the Queen’s Carlton House. Right now, though, he is busy at Godolphin stables where was retained as rider in March 2012.

Although he inherited a love for horses from his grandfather Christian Barzalona who was a horse trainer on Corsica, and a love for racing from his uncle Armand Barzalona who rode in flat races and over jumps, Mickael could have ended up a rugby player.

“We lived in the village of Maillane, south of Avignon, in Provence. My brother Paul and I loved playing rugby,” recalls Mickael. “Paul still plays rugby. But where we lived, we were surrounded by indigenous Camargue horses and I fell in love with the first Camargue horse given to me at the age of eight by my parents. My grandfather taught me a lot about horses. By the time I was 11, I knew I wanted to be a jockey.”

 At the age of 14 Mickael  went to the famous French riding school Association de Formation et d’Action Sociale des Écuries de Courses (French racing stable employee training association) in Mont de Marsan, Gouvieux, and did his Diploma in Professional Attitude there. “At the academy we would alternate a term of riding with a term of studies,” he says. “We were taught to be tough, focused and serious and to be able to give up junk food, eat light and right to maintain the appropriate weight, not be tempted by distractions and work hard at winning races. Our leisure time at school was spent watching the techniques and strategies of jockeys who had won famous races.”

Mickael started riding professionally in 2009, ending his first year with 72 wins to his name.

He travels the world competing but while in Dubai, every morning he is at the Godolphin stables, riding the horses.

“My trainer decides what horse I will ride for the day,” says Mickael, who trains from 6am until 10.30am. “A horse and a rider have to share a good relationship. I can feel a bond with the horse I ride and I look into its eyes, pat its back to let the horse know I am a friend.’’

After the practice session, he takes a break and has a light breakfast. After a couple of hours of rest, he prepares to discuss race strategy with his trainers Mahmoud Al Zarouni and Saeed Bin Surour, before hitting the gym in the afternoon. After a light evening meal he retires early to bed.

“There are many things that the jockeys simply have to do as part of their discipline.

I do not resent that as this is ingrained in us at school. We have to be focused and serious.

“One is our weight. I usually keep to about 52kg. The acceptable weight is anywhere between 50kg and 56kg. So one has to be careful to keep the calories down. I eat very light and prefer a fruit juice, steamed vegetables and fish.

“I am blessed by being naturally skinny but I love food from all over the world, especially French and Italian cuisine and on holidays when I gorge on my favourite foods such as pizza and pasta I put on about 2kg. But as a jockey I know I have to cut back. This is part of our discipline. If you want to win, you have got to be serious and disciplined.”

Mickael spent the winter of 2009/2010 with Godolphin in Dubai, registering a first success when Sabotage won the inaugural running of the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan on February 25, 2010. His association with Godolphin developed during the 2010 European season and he partnered Rio De La Plata.

Adding to his winning tally

Another spell in Dubai followed during the winter of 2010/2011 and Mickael once again impressed with his ability, notching up seven victories for Godolphin. He enhanced his reputation on the 2011 Dubai World Cup night when he gave Khawlah a superb ride to win by a nose in the Group Two UAE Derby and galvanised Monterosso to finish a close third in the Group One Dubai World Cup. At the start of 2012 he experienced a superb Dubai World Cup Carnival with eight successes.

On the World Cup race day in 2012, he partnered Monterosso for the second year running in the world’s richest race, the Group One $10-million Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates, and won impressively when his mount went clear by three lengths.

So far in 2013 Mickael has ridden 96 horses, taken part in 197 races and had 13 stake wins. He has won 16 per cent of his races so far for a total prize money of $4,367,117. Will we witness the famous salute as he crosses the finishing line this year? We’ll have to wait and see.