Leading French jockey Jacques Ricou will arrive in Ireland for the first time later this week after signing up for a winter stint riding out for Willie Mullins.
Leading French jockey Jacques Ricou will arrive in Ireland for the first time later this week after signing up for a winter stint riding out for Willie Mullins.
A multiple champion jockey in his homeland, Ricou is perhaps best known to British and Irish racegoers as the rider of the ill-fated Jair Du Cochet, who won a number of big prizes this side of the Channel before suffering a fatal injury when being prepared for the 2004 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
In the subsequent decade, Ricou has continued to ply his trade at the highest level, adding to his Grade One tally in 2015 aboard Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris winner Milord Thomas and top-class filly Kotkikova.
He rode his first winner for Mullins aboard Gitane Du Berlais in the Prix Juigne over hurdles at Auteuil in March and is relishing the prospect of working under the all-conquering champion trainer in the coming weeks.
Ricou said: "It's very exciting. I have never been to Ireland before so I want to learn more about the country and hopefully improve my English.
"I'm very happy to go and work for Mr Mullins. For me, he is the best trainer in Europe. I have ridden for Mr ( Guillaume) Macaire and some of the best trainers in France, so I wanted to work for the best trainer in Ireland and I think I am a very lucky man."
Ricou is particularly looking forward to working alongside Ruby Walsh and hopes the move will improve his riding.
"In this job, you can always learn more if you want to. I know my good qualities and my bad qualities, so I want to learn and improve," he said.
"It will be very good to work with Ruby Walsh, who is an amazing jockey. It will be a great experience for me.
"I love horses and I love jump racing. I can't wait to get started.
"I am not going to Ireland planning to ride in races. I'm going just looking forward to riding out every morning for my pleasure and my personal enjoyment.
"Maybe if I have some rides in France, I will travel back to ride and then come back to Ireland.
"I hope to stay in Ireland until the middle of January."