Tiger Tanaka Shines in Prix Marcel Boussac

Jessica Marcialis made history at ParisLongchamp Oct. 4, becoming the first female jockey to win a group 1 in France and proclaiming "mums can do it" after Tiger Tanaka's victory in the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac Criterium des Pouliches (G1).

Marcialis enjoyed a smooth passage in the straight, avoiding the trouble in the chasing pack that led to the challenge of strong-traveling British raider Fev Rover being stopped at a crucial point, and struck the front over a furlong out.

From there, Tiger Tanaka quickened and battled all the way to the line to see off Tasmania by three-quarters of a length. Marcialis erupted with a huge scream as she sealed her groundbreaking moment.

To make her victory even more special, the winning trainer was her partner Charley Rossi, and she was met with more roars from the paddock after the historic success.

"It's incredible," the jockey said, holding her young son in one hand and the trophy in another. "I don't have words. Yesterday we said it was just amazing to be here.

"She was really relaxed throughout the race. It's incredible because in all the races I've ridden her, every time she has been different. I've made history. I want to say to all the mums that we can do it. Be strong."

Rossi was recording his first top-level win, which capped a remarkable rise to stardom for Tiger Tanaka. She was claimed for €23,789 before notching four wins from five starts for the trainer to earn her place in the Marcel Boussac.

Rossi said: "It's fantastic to win this with my wife riding and an owner who's a friend. It's a shame there aren't more people here to see it. It's magic and my friends are here, which is the main thing."

On his feelings during the race, he added: "I felt like I was ready to burst. I was yelling and really let go. It was incredible because I could see that she was full of running and just looking for the gap. When she went clear, it was a little unreal for me but she really has won. I think we've made history today."

It was a completely different story for the luckless Fev Rover, sent off 5-2 favorite and representing Richard Fahey and the Nick Bradley syndicate.

Ben Curtis made his challenge only to have the door quickly slammed shut in front of him. King's Harlequin swerved in from the left, and shortly afterward bumped into Fev Rover on the right, effectively ending her group 1 quest.

"I thought I was going to have a lovely run through but I got hit from all angles," Curtis said. "I had a lovely pitch round and was exactly where I wanted to be, but I got flattened twice. But that's horse racing."

The Ken Condon-trained Thunder Beauty finished seventh.