Hippisme: "Now I have the Etrier d'Or in mind" admits Mathieu Mottier

The Vincennes winter meeting promises to be exciting on more than one point.

In the Étrier d'Or race, which rewards the jockey who won the most mounted trotting races during the year, three men will engage in a fierce struggle to win the Grail: Mathieu Mottier, Alexandre Abrivard and Eric Raffin .

For the moment, Mathieu Mottier takes the lead with only one victory over Alexandre Abrivard (50 against 49) and nine over Eric Raffin.

For the current leader, there is no longer any question of hiding his ambitions.

“Despite a comfortable lead at the start of the season, I told myself that the Bronze Stirrup would be good,” says Mathieu Mottier.

The more time passes, the more I see my ambitions on the rise.

Now I have gold in mind and I tell myself that it is playable.

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"This challenge forces me to be better"

This desire to be crowned best jockey of the year 2020 does not call into question the values ​​of the professional.

“That doesn't mean you have to go crazy and do whatever it takes.

You have to succeed in continuing to win races while respecting my horses.

This challenge forces me to be better.

This is really what is exciting.

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The best apprentice in France on two occasions, Mathieu Mottier has built a solid track record since his career in the professional world, notably with eight Group I victories. “It would be as strong as a Group I to be Etrier d'Or. , he says.

I have always been a fan of great ridden jockeys.

So being able to be on the podium in this ranking would be just wonderful.

This is really close to my heart and my goal is to be sustainable.

As of next year, I will be back to attack the podium.

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"My goal is to stay in the long term"

If the jockey from Mayenne has reached this level this season, it is no coincidence.

“I worked hard all year,” he explains.

I have made trips that I would not have done in normal times.

With my agent, Karl Rubin, we set ourselves this goal.

So far, we haven't been wrong.

We were also lucky that the coaches played the game and I thank them for that.

But the hardest part is yet to come because the possibilities of winning races during the meeting will be a little more rare against my direct opponents.

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"The hardest part is yet to come"

By December 31, a lot can still happen.

And Mathieu Mottier is perfectly aware of this, especially in the face of such adversaries.

“My lead over Eric Raffin is substantial but, with him, you have to expect anything.

He is a formidable competitor.

Honestly, I would be disappointed to finish third.

However, I only have one more victory over Alexandre Abrivard, the defending champion.

It will not be easy to resist him but I would rather be one step ahead of him to start the meeting than one late (laughs).

Despite our friendship, we are competitors above all.

There will be no freebies to finish on the top step of the podium.

“From this Wednesday, the opening day of the meeting, Mathieu Mottier has two good chances in the events under the saddle.

A great opportunity to put additional pressure on his rivals.