Alexis Pouchin will join a long list of French jockeys to ply their trade in Hong Kong when he debuts with five rides at Sha Tin’s 10-race fixture on Sunday.
Alexis Pouchin at Friday’s Sha Tin barrier trial session (Pic – HKJC)
Pouchin, 24, has enjoyed an unbelievable year with six Group 1 wins. He is renowned for an association with Mqse De Sevigne – one of Europe’s best older horses – after winning five Group 1 races aboard the mare for legendary trainer Andre Fabre. Pouchin has over 400 wins and his top-level triumphs have come via Metropolitan, Vertical Blue, Haya Zark and Simca Mille.
“I had two propositions – the first was to go to Japan and the second was to Hong Kong. My boss Mr Fabre really likes Hong Kong, and he didn’t give me the choice. He said, ‘go to Hong Kong because it has top-class tracks, both tracks are good, and they are a different style’,” Pouchin, speaking in French, said through his interpreter Alexis Doussot.
Maxime Guyon is one of several Fabre former apprentices to have come to Hong Kong to gain further riding experience. Guyon landed the Hong Kong Classic Cup and Hong Kong Derby with Ambitious Dragon during a stint in 2010/11. Mickael Barzalona is another to have spent time in Hong Kong.
“I didn’t expect to win three Group 1 races last year and then this year to win six Group 1s. I wanted to aim for one or two this year, which would be nice, but I won six, including with Mqse De Sevigne, and it was amazing. The best conclusion of the year is to come to Hong Kong,” Pouchin said.
Hong Kong racing is tough and competitive, with jockeys jostling for a limited number of mounts each week, but French riders have earned great success in the city and Pouchin joins fellow Frenchmen Alexis Badel (248 career Hong Kong wins) and Antoine Hamelin (99 career Hong Kong wins) on the 25-strong riding roster.
“I have a lot of friends who have ridden in Hong Kong before. I spoke with Gerald Mosse last week and Gerald gave me some tips about the tracks. I am friends with Mickael Barzalona, so I spoke with him too about the track and the best way to ride. Antoine Hamelin also, I have known him for some time,” Pouchin said.
Marcel Samarcq was followed by Philippe Paquet, Maurice Philipperon, Eric Saint-Martin, Eric Legrix, Frederic Sanchez and Gerald Mosse, who won 659 races in Hong Kong, as well as Olivier Doleuze – a mainstay with 571 wins – and they are just several of the French riders who have set high benchmarks after switching tack to the Far East.
“My father lived in the stable, so I grew up in the stable – in the boxes with the horses. It wasn’t a passion or an aim to become a jockey but after years it became better and better, and then it was totally normal in my head to become a jockey. I was in Maisons-Laffitte with Yohann Gourraud for two years – he was a jumps and flat trainer. Then Mr Fabre asked me to come back home,” Pouchin said.
Vincent Ho wins aboard Capital Delight on the dirt course at Sha Tin (Pic – HKJC)
Pouchin rode is first winner in 2016 at Maisons-Laffitte. He served his apprenticeship with Gourraud and Fabre. He rode Chill Kaka in a barrier trial at Sha Tin on Friday and partners Yoda’s Choice, Panda, Double Show, Parterre and Devildom on Sunday.
“I was not expecting five rides. I am happy that the trainers give me the confidence because it’s very hard to get the confidence when you don’t know anyone. I am quite happy,” Pouchin said. “It’s nice because there are no big races in February in France, so if there is support and if I win some races then I can stay longer. It depends if I have support and the results, but it won’t be the last time I am in Hong Kong, for sure.”
The HK$2.84 million Class 2 Peninsula Golden Jubilee Challenge Cup Handicap headlines Sunday’s Sha Tin programme, where a competitive field of 12 do battle, including Capital Delight, who is chasing a fourth course and distance success for jockey Vincent Ho and trainer Caspar Fownes.
“He gets back to his winning distance, so hopefully he will run well again. Last time it was a little disappointing, but we’ll see how he goes,” Ho said.
Capital Delight faces Majestic Knight, Whizz Kid, Tomodachi Kokoroe, Bundle Of Charm, Raging Blizzard, Call Me Glorious, Superb Boy, Supreme Lucky, Seasons Wit, Full Credit and Sing Dragon.
Ho has eight rides this Sunday after banking his 600th Hong Kong win at Happy Valley on Wednesday, including last-start winner Steps Ahead in the Class 3 Salisbury Handicap for trainer Francis Lui.
“It was a lovely win from him – he felt good. He’s a very honest horse and he’s still a little bit immature in the mornings, so hopefully he can improve,” Ho said.
Sunday’s 10-race fixture at Sha Tin kicks off at 07h00 with the Class 5 Ashley Handicap.
