ENGLISH TEXTS
� PAGE 22
FLAT JOCKEY
Par Paul Casabianca
MICKAËL BARZALONA“ WINNING THE CRAVACHE D’ OR ISN’ T MY TOP PRIORITY”
Appointed as the number one jockey for H. H. Aga Khan in 2025, Mickaël Barzalona, who claimed the Cravache d’ Or in 2021, opened up with humility and reserve about his journey, his years with Godolphin, and his ambitions.
Speaking about himself, his career, or his goals isn’ t exactly his favorite sport. Before stepping into the racing scene in 2007 for the first time( hard to believe, thinking back), jockey Mickaël Barzalona first proved himself in another discipline: horseball. Naturally, it’ s played on horseback as the name suggests, but the aim isn’ t to cross the finish line first. No, horseball is a game played with a ball, six riders per team, on a 70x30m field with two goals at each end— where scoring as many goals as possible is the objective. In this sport, Barzalona was( already) considered one of the best, having won the French national title twice.“ I played horseball when I was about 10 or 11. Around that time, my grandfather, who was a trainer in Corsi- ca, used to have me ride his horses in the mornings. I got a taste for it then, and that’ s when I decided I wanted to become a jockey.” The rest is textbook. A graduate of the AFASEC school in Gouvieux, the former horseball player became an apprentice to André Fabre-the talent spotter par excellence. Discipline, hard work, and passion shaped him into who he is today: a respected, discreet, professional, serious, and incredibly talented jockey. No surprise that at just 17, after earning the trust of the Chantilly master, Godolphin— one of the world’ s top racing operations— came calling.“ I started riding for Godolphin during the winter in Dubai. They placed their trust in me very early on, and I’ m grateful for that. We shared so many great moments together over those twelve years! When I told them in 2025 that I was leaving the stable to join H. H. Aga Khan, they wished me the best. There was always a lot of respect and kindness between us. I owe them everything.”
2011: The year of his breakthrough No one knows for sure whether Pour Moi’ s win in the Epsom Derby( Gr. 1) was the true crowning moment of the man affectionately known as“ Barza.” One thing’ s for certain: in the memory of any racing fan, never had they seen a 19-year-old jockey celebrate a victory by standing in his stirrups, arm raised, ten meters from the finish line, while the race was still in full fight.“ I remember that moment very clearly. It wasn’ t planned, but I did it spontaneously. Looking back, I don’ t think I’ d do it again, but I have no regrets. Pour Moi came in with a lot of expectations— we couldn’ t afford to mess it up. But I have to say, it’ s not my usual way of celebrating a win!” Earlier that same year, Wavering had given him his first Group 1 win in France, the Prix Saint-Alary, trained by his boss André Fabre for Godolphin.
Team spirit Whether riding for Godolphin, whose silks he defended for twelve years, or now for the colors of H. H. Aga Khan, as lead jockey since this year,“ Barza” has always prioritized the team over personal ambition. Not out of resignation, but by choice:“ I’ ve always said that my goal is to honor my role as first-choice rider for my employer and for the professionals who trust me. Princess Zahra Aga Khan( daughter of the late Prince Aga Khan, who passed away on February 4) has different expectations than Godolphin. It’ s a new way of working, I’ m learning as I go and doing my best to do things properly. So far, our collaboration is going well. The early signs are promising. It’ s important to lay a good foundation while waiting for the bigger races. I really liked Zariyana’ s return— she’ s a
# 8 140