22nd World Super Jockeys Series
December 9th 2008 06:55
It has been a vintage year for horseracing in France.
(photo: AP)
But not only for their horses. The 22nd World Super Jockeys Series has just concluded in Japan with French jockey Ioritz Mendizabal defeating a field of some of the best jockeys in the world. At his two previous attempts Mendizabal finished seventh in 2004 and then fourth in 2006.
This year Mendizabal would also secure a surprise victory in the Arlington Million in the US.
Mendizabal was born in the Basque region of Spain. As there were no opportunities to pursue a proper apprenticeship in Spain he convinced his parents to send him to the Apprentice School at Mont de Marsan in France when he was 14. And today Mendizabal is obvious in group photographs of jockeys - standing as he does at 5 feet and 10 inches tall.
Mendizabal finished on 45 points - accumulating 28 points on Day Two to come from behind to snatch a narrow victory from champion Hong Kong jockey Douglas Whyte who finished on 42 points.
This was a victory for consistency, as Mendizabal did not ride a winner at any of his four rides. On Day One Mendizabal compiled 17 points - these coming from a 2nd placing - and a distant 10th. He began Day Two in 6th position, but was to ride two placings - finishing 3rd in the Golden Boots Trophy, and then 2nd in the final race, the Golden Whip Trophy. Mendizabal could be forgiven for thinking he would not win again this year as his first ride (and 3rd finish) was aboard the favourite for the Golden Boots Trophy, Aventino. In the Golden Whip Trophy he rode the 14th favourite (from a field of 15). A placing and surprise victory appeared a remote chance. Yet racing is always full of surprises and Mendizabal finished a neck second behind Douglas Whyte’s mount.
“Every JRA race I ran here was extremely worthwhile. This was my third challenge and I never dreamed of winning over so many outstanding jockeys. I’m so happy.” Ioritz Mendizabal.
“I’m fortunate to have many fans here and I’m happy to have been given the chance to come back and race in Japan. I’m glad I did better than last year’s eleventh, but it’s a shame that even though I tried hard I couldn’t win.” - Douglas Whyte.
“I truly hoped that I could hold on to the lead till the end, since I was on top after the third race. Unfortunately the last race didn’t go as well as I hoped, but I’m happy to have been able to participate in this series, not to mention becoming third best in the world.” - Futoshi Komaki.
Australia was well represented by Craig Williams and Blake Shinn. Williams would finish 4th on 35 points, while Shinn was 5th on 33.
The full list of jockeys (in finishing position with points total):
Ioroitz Mendizabal France 45 points
Douglas Whyte Hong Kong 42 points
Futoshi Komaki Japan 38 points
Craig Williams Australia 35 points
Blake Shinn Australia 33 points
Johnny Murtagh Ireland 31 points
Yuichi Fukunaga Japan 26 points
Isao Sugawara Japan 25 points
Katsumi Ando Japan 24 points
Hiroyuki Uchida Japan 24 points
Alan Garcia USA 23 points
Hiroki Goto Japan 11 points
Yasunari Iwata Japan 10 points
Edgar Proado USA 14 points
Andrasch Starke Germany 14 points
Ioritz Mendizabal video:
Mendizabal winning the Arlington Million earlier this year
(photo: AP)
But not only for their horses. The 22nd World Super Jockeys Series has just concluded in Japan with French jockey Ioritz Mendizabal defeating a field of some of the best jockeys in the world. At his two previous attempts Mendizabal finished seventh in 2004 and then fourth in 2006.
This year Mendizabal would also secure a surprise victory in the Arlington Million in the US.
Mendizabal was born in the Basque region of Spain. As there were no opportunities to pursue a proper apprenticeship in Spain he convinced his parents to send him to the Apprentice School at Mont de Marsan in France when he was 14. And today Mendizabal is obvious in group photographs of jockeys - standing as he does at 5 feet and 10 inches tall.
Mendizabal finished on 45 points - accumulating 28 points on Day Two to come from behind to snatch a narrow victory from champion Hong Kong jockey Douglas Whyte who finished on 42 points.
This was a victory for consistency, as Mendizabal did not ride a winner at any of his four rides. On Day One Mendizabal compiled 17 points - these coming from a 2nd placing - and a distant 10th. He began Day Two in 6th position, but was to ride two placings - finishing 3rd in the Golden Boots Trophy, and then 2nd in the final race, the Golden Whip Trophy. Mendizabal could be forgiven for thinking he would not win again this year as his first ride (and 3rd finish) was aboard the favourite for the Golden Boots Trophy, Aventino. In the Golden Whip Trophy he rode the 14th favourite (from a field of 15). A placing and surprise victory appeared a remote chance. Yet racing is always full of surprises and Mendizabal finished a neck second behind Douglas Whyte’s mount.
“Every JRA race I ran here was extremely worthwhile. This was my third challenge and I never dreamed of winning over so many outstanding jockeys. I’m so happy.” Ioritz Mendizabal.
“I’m fortunate to have many fans here and I’m happy to have been given the chance to come back and race in Japan. I’m glad I did better than last year’s eleventh, but it’s a shame that even though I tried hard I couldn’t win.” - Douglas Whyte.
“I truly hoped that I could hold on to the lead till the end, since I was on top after the third race. Unfortunately the last race didn’t go as well as I hoped, but I’m happy to have been able to participate in this series, not to mention becoming third best in the world.” - Futoshi Komaki.
Australia was well represented by Craig Williams and Blake Shinn. Williams would finish 4th on 35 points, while Shinn was 5th on 33.
The full list of jockeys (in finishing position with points total):
Ioroitz Mendizabal France 45 points
Douglas Whyte Hong Kong 42 points
Futoshi Komaki Japan 38 points
Craig Williams Australia 35 points
Blake Shinn Australia 33 points
Johnny Murtagh Ireland 31 points
Yuichi Fukunaga Japan 26 points
Isao Sugawara Japan 25 points
Katsumi Ando Japan 24 points
Hiroyuki Uchida Japan 24 points
Alan Garcia USA 23 points
Hiroki Goto Japan 11 points
Yasunari Iwata Japan 10 points
Edgar Proado USA 14 points
Andrasch Starke Germany 14 points
Ioritz Mendizabal video:
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