With the Japan Cup on the horizon next weekend [Nov 27], the questions are answered by the former world #1 jockey who has taken the nation by storm in the last decade
Unquestionably one of the world’s top jockeys, expat Frenchman Christophe Lemaire now calls Japan his home – and the 43-year-old has won the Japan Racing Association champion jockeys’ title for the last five seasons.
Lemaire became the first foreign rider to take the JRA crown in 2017 before breaking Yutaka Take’s single-season record with 215 wins in 2018.
European Classic successes include the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) in 2009 plus three editions each of the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (1,000 Guineas) and Prix de Diane (Oaks), as well as the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. In 2011 he won the Melbourne Cup on Dunaden.
However, Lemaire’s career has hit new heights in Japan, where he is best known for his association with the brilliant world champion Almond Eye, the dual Japan Cup winner who in 2020 reached the #1 spot on the Thoroughbred Racing Commentary Global Rankings.
Which racing figure past or present do you most admire?
Steve Cauthen was born a talented jockey to win the Triple Crown in American as a 19-year-old. Then he moved to another continent, as I did, and became very successful there as well. I have met him a few times and he is the most humble man in the world. He could adapt himself to anywhere to win all the big races. I was born in 1979, the year he won with Affirmed. I am a horse racing history lover so I watched his races over and over again. He was the model for me.
Which is your favourite venue and race anywhere in the world?
That would be Longchamp for the racing and Santa Anita for the view and atmosphere. For me Santa Anita is the most beautiful racecourse in the world. The colours, the light, the mountains, the trees, the stands are special.
The Arc is my favourite race. There is so much history. As a Frenchman it’s my dream to win the race but it’s tough to win. You need to have the right horse at the right time and be in the right position. There is no place for mistakes.
Who is your favourite racehorse and why?
Almond Eye. I had such a great feeling on her back. She was almighty. She won G1s from a mile and a mile and a half. She had fantastic acceleration but was also very clever. She was an easy ride. Nothing is perfect but she was nearly perfect.
What is your fondest memory in racing?
Winning the Melbourne Cup was very special. It was the first time I had ridden in Australia, so first time in the Melbourne Cup. The story is amazing because I was not supposed to ride Dunaden. I reached Melbourne without knowing I would ride him because Craig Williams [ruled out by suspension] had to go to court for his appeal. So it was a bit like a dream. I won by a nose and after the race everything, from the crowd, the welcome from the fans, my way back to Sydney on the plane, was amazing – but weird.
If you could change one thing in racing, what would it be?
In France when you talk to people who don’t know about horse racing, they just think about gambling. That’s a pity because there are a lot of stories around horse racing that should be known by the general public. We have to change that. Fans in Japan are very knowledgeable but they are not in France, except those who follow the sport. I am sure I am better known by the Japanese people walking the Champs Elysees than the French people walking the Champs Elysees.
Christophe Lemaire was speaking to Jon Lees
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