Christophe Lemaire has eyes on G1 Japanese Derby with Regaleira
Friday, 24 May, 2024 01:05
Regaleira (Photo: Yuki Shimono)
Jockey Christophe Lemaire recently gave an interview to Netkeiba, where he discussed his perspective on the "Derby" and expressed high expectations for Regaleira, the filly aiming to become the first filly to win the G1 Japanese Derby since Vodka, 17 years ago.
Lemaire, a 45-year-old from France, began his riding career in 1999 after obtaining his jockey license in his homeland. He made his debut in Japan in December 2002 under a short-term license from the Japan Racing Association (JRA). Since then, he has returned annually and in 2015, became the first foreign jockey to pass the JRA jockey license exam. To date, Lemaire has accumulated 1,854 wins (149 in graded stakes) in Japan and has been the leading jockey nationwide six times.
Earlier this year, on March 30th, Lemaire suffered a fall during the G1 Dubai Turf, resulting in a broken collarbone and other injuries, forcing him out of action. However, he made a remarkable recovery and returned to racing at Tokyo Racecourse on May 5th. On May 19th, he won the Japanese Oaks with the second favourite, Cervinia, among seven victories over the two-day period, marking a full recovery from his injuries.
Lemaire has won the Derby in two countries (the French Derby and the Japanese Derby). In the interview, he said, "The Derby is a special race in any country. Winning it is very difficult." He recalled his 2017 Japanese Derby win with trainer Kazuo Fujisawa as particularly memorable, adding with a smile, "It seemed like trainer Fujisawa was waiting for this moment with me."
Even for a jockey of Lemaire's caliber, the Derby is a challenging and special race. This year, he will take on the challenge with Regaleira, the filly he won the G1 Hopeful Stakes with last year. While acknowledging the difficulty of competing with a filly, he praised Regaleira, saying, "She is a capable horse and one that deserves to take on the Japanese Derby." Lemaire expressed great anticipation for achieving a historic victory, 17 years after Vodka's triumph.
Lemaire, a 45-year-old from France, began his riding career in 1999 after obtaining his jockey license in his homeland. He made his debut in Japan in December 2002 under a short-term license from the Japan Racing Association (JRA). Since then, he has returned annually and in 2015, became the first foreign jockey to pass the JRA jockey license exam. To date, Lemaire has accumulated 1,854 wins (149 in graded stakes) in Japan and has been the leading jockey nationwide six times.
Earlier this year, on March 30th, Lemaire suffered a fall during the G1 Dubai Turf, resulting in a broken collarbone and other injuries, forcing him out of action. However, he made a remarkable recovery and returned to racing at Tokyo Racecourse on May 5th. On May 19th, he won the Japanese Oaks with the second favourite, Cervinia, among seven victories over the two-day period, marking a full recovery from his injuries.
Lemaire has won the Derby in two countries (the French Derby and the Japanese Derby). In the interview, he said, "The Derby is a special race in any country. Winning it is very difficult." He recalled his 2017 Japanese Derby win with trainer Kazuo Fujisawa as particularly memorable, adding with a smile, "It seemed like trainer Fujisawa was waiting for this moment with me."
Even for a jockey of Lemaire's caliber, the Derby is a challenging and special race. This year, he will take on the challenge with Regaleira, the filly he won the G1 Hopeful Stakes with last year. While acknowledging the difficulty of competing with a filly, he praised Regaleira, saying, "She is a capable horse and one that deserves to take on the Japanese Derby." Lemaire expressed great anticipation for achieving a historic victory, 17 years after Vodka's triumph.