Barzalona joins Godolphin

Just a few days after recruiting Brazil’s Silvestre de Souza, Godolphin have further strengthened their impressive jockey roster by snaring French rider Mickael Barzalona. The talented young duo will team up at the stable with Frankie Dettori.

Based at Newmarket, Barzalona will be share top rides in England and around the world with his two stablemates and will work with trainers Saeed Bin Suroor and Mahmood Al Zarooni.

Speaking to the Godolphin website, the stable’s racing manager Simon Crisford described Barzalona’s recruitment as “tremendous news”.

The 20-year-old Frenchman has already ridden nearly 180 times for Godolphin during his career, recording 35 wins for them. After sealing the move, he expressed his gratitude to the Wertheimer brothers for giving him some excellent rides over the last two seasons, and also paid tribute to his mentor Andre Fabre, the trainer with whom he won the 2011 Epsom Derby on Pour Moi.

Barzalona added that he was very happy and excited at the prospect of joining Godolphin and working alongside Dettori and De Souza. He will head to his Newmarket base when the Dubai season comes to an end in late March.

16 October 2007: Official debut, at St-Cloud.

3 May 2008: Maiden win, at Fontainebleau.

14 November 2009: Maiden Group 1 race, at St-Cloud.

13 April 2011: First win in England.

22 May 2011: First Group 1 win, at Longchamp.

4 June 2011: Wins the Epsom Derby.

3 March 2012: Joins Godolphin.