Champion jockey able to claim in a race

Darryl Sherer - Monday August 14

How is a 23-time champion jockey able to claim in a race?

Advertisement
Didier Gengoul. Photo: Caribbe Herrere

The situation came to light at Lingfield in England on Saturday when Didier Gengoul was engaged to ride Rainbow Rising for trainer David Menuisier, listed as claiming three pounds when acceptances came out.

Gengoul has been champion jockey 23 times in Martinique and Guadeloupe however, the French Caribbean territories have only recently come under the jurisdiction of ruling body France Galop, so officially Gengoul has only ridden 76 winners and therefore eligible to claim.

Menuisier told the Racing Post he queried it with Weatherbys, the racing administrator and equivalent of Racing Australia in England.

"I asked them if they were sure, and suggested they might want to speak to France Galop, because he's won a lot more races than that and I didn't want to end up being disqualified, but they were happy," Menuisier said.

"But at Lingfield on Saturday the clerk of the scales asked if he could claim, and I again said I was more than happy for him not to if there was any doubt and left it up to him.

"He didn't claim in the end, which is absolutely fine as I just didn't want any problem."

Rainbow Rising finished second in the mile and a quarter maiden, beaten three-quarters of a length as a 20/1 chance.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 5
Here is the full list of 112 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Resolute Racing Win G1 Prix Jean Prat – Wootton Bassett Sire Power
A crackerjack meeting at Deauville in France overnight highlighted the power of Wootton Bassett (GB), who sired yet another new two year-old stakes-winner and he also featured as the grand-sire of Woodshauna, who captured the Group I Prix Jean Prat (1400m) for US based Resolute Racing.
Spring Goals Await Caloundra Cup Winner Half Yours
With spring staying features on their minds, Tony and Calvin McEvoy sent their improving stayer north to Queensland for Saturday’s $300,000 Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) with instant success as the 4yo gelding Half Yours romped home by four and a half lengths.
Group 1 Durban July Success For Son Of Australian Bred Gimmethegreenlight
Although not having previously sired a winner of South Africa’s greatest race, the Australian bred, South African-based sire Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) added a 13th individual Group 1 winner to his record when the Dean Kannemeyer trained The Real Prince (SAF) added Saturday’s R5m Group 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July (2200m) to his record.
New Sprint Star for WA?
Oakland Park's veteran WA sire Sessions is rarely without a good horse to represent him, and the son of Lonhro now has his sixth stakes winner after exciting 3YO galloper Repossession spanked the older horses to win the Listed Beaufine Stakes at Pinjarra Park.
New Juvenile Stakes-Winner Wootton Bassett
A two year-old Wootton Bassett  colt bred to stay, Daytona made it two wins as many starts when scoring a dominant win in the Listed Pat Smullen Stakes (1m) at Naas in Ireland overnight.
Sires With Winners - Thursday July 3
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Friday July 4
Here is the full list of 38 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Sunday July 6
Here is the full list of 68 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Stakes Success for Spritely 7YO Warhorse
Pearce Racing's seven year old warhorse Ginger Baker collected his first ever stakes win in the Listed 2200m South West Cup yesterday.