‘Gender’s not important on the track’ – trailblazing French jockey Marie Velon set to dazzle on British debut

MARIE VELON reckons she can make her mark on her British debut.

The French ace can’t wait to prove she has the Va Va Vroom on the big stage in Saturday's Shergar Cup at sold-out Ascot.

Velon, 26, already has a CV most jockeys would be jealous of, winning a pair of Group 1s on Iresine.

She rides for the Girls Team at the Berkshire track and, like her teammate Hayley Turner, she became the first female to win a domestic Group 1 in the Prix Royal Oak in 2022.

She also smashed the record for the most winners by a woman in a single season with 84 in 2020.

But, unlike some of the controversy that has shrouded the Olympics, she says gender is quite simply a non-factor in racing.

And it's a level playing field in this year's Shergar Cup with an equal split between men and women in the teams.

Velon said: "I don’t think about the issue of men versus women — we’re all jockeys.

"On the track, gender is not important, so I will always push myself to be the best jockey, not just the best women.

"It’s very difficult to have support from a trainer, whether you’re a man or a women, so I’m grateful that I’ve managed to get it from a top trainer such as Jean-Pierre Gauvin.

"It’s very hard to stay consistently in the top ten of the jockeys’ championship — I hope it’s a selling point not just for French trainers, but British ones too!"

Velon, who has also ridden winners in Japan, will be having her first rides in Britain and she will be competing at her fiercest to tick off another bucket list item.

She said: "I’m really excited to ride in Britain for the first time, especially at such a historic track as Ascot.

"A lot of jockeys dream of riding at Ascot, so it’s going to be a brilliant day.

"It’s great for me personally and the ladies team is strong — I’m proud to be with Hayley Turner.

"I really want to have a winner. I will definitely enjoy myself, but I’d be lying if I said I would be happy without one!"

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