Rising Star. Maxime Guyon will be here for the Met!
Top French jockey Maxime Guyon will be riding on J&B Met day. This news was released today by Phumelela Racing Executive, Patrick Davis.
This commendable strategic initiative arises out of the fact that the French PMU (the third biggest Tote in the world) has significantly expanded their coverage of South African racing in 2013 – now taking the first four races on the day on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, as well as selected major races on a Saturday during the European winter.
This generates significant betting turnover which means royalties to the ultimate benefit of both the business and sport of racing locally.
As an initiative to further boost the French interest in local racing Maxime Guyon was invited to ride in South Africa at four race meetings.
Guyon, who is 23 years old, is one of the rising stars in Europe, and has already ridden 18 Gr 1 winners in France, the UK, Germany and Hong Kong. His minimum riding weight is 53kgs.
He has quickly established himself as one of Europe’s leading jockeys since his riding career began in May 2005 under the guidance of leading French trainer Andre Fabre.
Royal! Maxime Guyon pilots Byword to win at Royal Ascot
After gaining his senior licence in January 2008, Guyon’s career blossomed with G1 victories in quick succession on Cavalryman (Grand Prix de Paris), Shalanaya (Prix de l’Opera), Prix de Diane (Golden Lilac), Cutlass Bay (Prix Ganay), Lope de Vega (French Derby & French 2000 Guineas) and Byword (Prince of Wales’s Stakes). In total (at the tender of age of 23) he has already ridden 91 Graded and Listed race winners!
He made an immediate impact in a short time In Hong Kong with 15 victories in the 2010/2011 season and won the HKG1 Hong Kong Derby on Tony Millard’s Horse of the Year Ambitious Dragon.
Guyon has finished runner up in the French jockeys’ championship for the past three years. During the 2012 season in France he had a total of 1104 rides for 159 wins and 404 places – 51% in the money.
Guyon will be available for rides at the following meetings:
Wednesday 30 January – Fairview
Thursday 31 January – Clairwood
Friday 1 February – Fairview
Saturday 2 February – Kenilworth
