He has long hoped to win the famous Golden whip 2024, which rewards the jockey having won the most races in France, between March 1 and October 31. But Mickaël Barzalonawho lives in Lamorlayefinally had to settle for second place, beaten by Maxime Guyon, another jockey of the south of Oise. That said, Mickaël Barzalona will have obtained great compensation this Wednesday, December 4 by winning the world jockey championship.
The Longines international jockeys championship takes place on the racecourse of Happy Valleyhas Hong Kong. The selected jockeys have four races to make the difference. This year, the competition saw the clear success of Michael Barzalona who brilliantly won two of the four races, riding Sergeant Pepper and Aurora Lady. With a total of 30 points, he is clearly ahead of James McDonald and Hollye Doyle who obtain 12 points each. Hollye Doyle is well known in France for being the first, and so far only, woman to have won the Prix de Diane, in Chantilly, in 2022.
Peslier and Lemaire had preceded him
Michael Barzalona is the third Frenchman to win this challenge after Olivier Peslier, winner of the 1998 and 2006 editions, and Christophe Lemaire, winner in 2009.
When he was young, Mickaël Barzalona quickly became passionate about equestrian sport, particularly horseball. He then joined the famous Windmill school, Gouvieux. At 14, he joined trainer André Fabre as an apprentice. Two years later, he began competing and won his first victory the following year, at Fontainebleau.
His first success at a very high level dates back to 2011 when he won the Saint-Alary prize at Longchamp. That same year, he won the Epsom Derby in England. His premature celebration (standing on his stirrups, fist in the air, before the finish line) will remain in the memory of racegoers for a long time.
From Godolphin to the Aga Khan
He finally won the Golden Crop in 2021. Then, he finished second the following three years, each time behind Maxime Guyon.
Jockey for years from the Al Maktoum brothers’ stable, called Godolphinone of the most famous in the world, Mickael Barzalona quickly rose to the rank of world-renowned jockey. By joining the prince’s stable in 2025 Aga Khanof which he became the first jockey, this fame is not likely to end…
Originally from Corsica, “Mika” is the grandson of trainer Christian Barzalona. As they say in the industry, you can’t lie…
