Michel Sets Record on NAR Circuit

French jockey Mickaëlle Michel marked a record-setting 30th win for short-term licensed jockeys on the National Association of Racing circuit March 31 at Funabashi Racecourse. She completed the feat on the final day of her license, after more than two months of riding.

Emmy's Romance, the favorite in Funabashi's fifth race, carried Michel, 24, to her accomplishment. The 3-year-old Belshazzar filly settled in midfield, spurted toward the home turn from sixth position, and made it to the front to land her first victory by 1 1/2 lengths. 

Alan Munro, who rode Generous to victory in the 1991 Epsom Derby (G1), and French rider Ryan Curatolo shared the previous record of 29 wins in 2011 and 2017, respectively. Both rode for a three-month term. Michel's 27 wins at her two-month riding term passed the previous record of 25 set by Christian Demuro in 2011.

Michel's 72 wins in 2018 are the most in a year for a French female rider. But she said French female riders were not trusted by the trainers and owners to ride in the big races. 

After her third-place finish in Japan's 2019 All Star Jockeys Series, Michel fell in love with Japan and left a strong impression among Japanese fans. She came to Tokyo last fall and announced that she would like to be a jockey on the Japan Racing Association circuit some day.

The NAR changed its rules regarding short-term licenses, and the new condition was fit for Michel. Moreover, she gained the trust of Japanese owner and breeder Shadai Group. She was welcomed to NAR's Kawasaki Racecourse by trainer Yuya Yamazaki and began riding Jan. 27. Her first win came Jan. 29 aboard Belle Robin.

"I'd like to say thank you to Shadai Group, which is the (leading) breeder and owner in Japan," Michel said. "Especially, I thank the president, Mr. Teruya Yoshida. Thanks to him, I am here and set the record. When I came here in Japan, I didn't (know) if I could become a success on the NAR circuit. And, of course, I thank the horses I rode."

Michel registered an 11.2% win rate from 267 starts during her NAR term. She would like to be a world-class jockey riding in group 1 events all over the globe, and hopes to be a pioneer for future female riders. 

Michel said she will not return to France for a while, not only because of the COVID-19 crisis but also to enjoy her Japanese life. She is preparing for the exam to earn her JRA license, like jockeys Christophe Lemaire and Mirco Demuro. The first exam will be held in October and the second exam in February 2021. The first exam is about Japanese horse racing rules and possibly the English language, and the second is an interview in Japanese.

"I will return to the NAR short-term license for the three months to hopefully break this record in this autumn," Michel said. "I will try to take the JRA examination this fall, but I don't think it would be only one challenge. If I don't defeat it, I will try again and again."