"Trust me, I'll take you across the Atlantic."
»The little phrase whispered by Miguel Castro Megias in the ear of Jessica Marcialis, just before the woman jockey took the start of the Prix Marcel Boussac (Group I) with her filly
Tiger Tanaka
, would she be at the origin of the victory for the 30-year-old driver in this high-level event?
A victory which makes the smiling Italian the first representative of the fairer sex to win a Group 1 in France in the flat discipline.
Twenty-five years before her, Helen Johansson had also left her mark on the history of trotting by winning the Prix d'Amérique at Vincennes.
One thing is certain, the owner, described as crazy for placing his trust in a woman at such a level of competition, was once again right, despite the reluctance of Charley Rossi, the trainer of the 2-year-old filly.
The fifth success of this shocking duo, Sunday at ParisLongchamp, is also a gateway to the Breeders' Cup in Keeneland (United States).
Jessica and
Tiger Tanaka will
cross the Atlantic Ocean to take part in the big event, in Kentucky, on November 6 and 7, “if the sanitary conditions allow it and if the developer gives the green light”, however specifies Miguel Castro. Megias.
"After each post, I wonder if it's true"
Despite the (almost) in camera in force in the Temple of the gallop (1000 people authorized), the applause resounded well in the round of presentation with the return of Jessica Marcialis and
Tiger Tanaka
, come to recover their trophy.
In tears, the mother of the big winner exclaimed: “It's my big Jessica, my big jockey.
"
Congratulated on all sides, Jessica did not realize what she had just accomplished.
“After each post, I wonder if it's true.
It takes time for me to realize.
"Still on her cloud, she nevertheless knew how to prove, once again, her great concentration throughout the course," We had to take care of the start.
After which, the filly relaxed.
I continued on my boulevard and, when I told her "let's go", she left.
"
"Me, I would not have done it", dared Charley Rossi, speaking of sitting a woman on the saddle of a horse during such a prestigious event.
And yet, it is his future wife, right by his side, that he is targeting in this declaration.
But, after the fact, he recognizes that the meeting between his companion and this filly bought in a race to claim (where all the horses are for sale) for the sum of 23,789 €, forms "a very nice couple".
An alchemy made possible by the obstinacy of the owner who kept telling him, “
Tiger Tanaka
, it's with Jessica, otherwise the horse stays in the box.
»To the best of my mind ...
