Last Saturday at Lyon-La Soie, Marie Vélon secured her 88th victory of the year and, in doing so, set a new personal best. Not content with that, she intends to improve on her tally by year-end, before taking a well-earned rest. She shared her thoughts.

88 is the highest number of victories achieved by a female jockey in France. What does it mean to you?

It represents a year of solid work and consistency. The most important thing is to be able to repeat these good years. Doing better than 2022 is a great validation. 

Did you set yourself this target at the beginning of the year?

I started to get interested around mid-July/early-August once I got going. After that, I told myself to go for it and it happened, thank goodness!

Do you find yourself looking back?

Unlike in previous years, I didn’t pay too much attention. Last year, I got off to a good start but then had a dip in August and September. We had beaten the record but the goal was 100 wins. That stung a little. This year, I didn’t ask myself too many questions and just got down to it.

So, 100 victories is the next target?

It pushes and motivates me. It will be hard to accomplish in 4 weeks. If I hadn’t hurt myself [10 days on the sidelines after a fall on 3 November] it would be more doable, but those are the hazards. We’ll try again next year.

Do you follow Hollie Doyle and Hayley Turner in the UK?

They’re great examples, and I try to emulate them and their records. What’s important is that they’re winning black-type races. They’re talented and hard-working and motivate me to do better.