Jessica Marcialis Becomes The First Female Jockey To Win A Group One Race In France

On Sunday, Jessica Marcialis made history by becoming the first female jockey to win a Group One race in France. She rode Tiger Tanaka to victory at Paris’ Longchamps.

The 30-year-old Italian Jockey and a mother told Sky Sports whilst holding her son.”I want to say to all the mums, ‘We can do it. Be strong.’“

Marcialis comes from a racing family. She has navigated her way up from the amateur ranks and is now making a name for herself on the professional circuit in France.

Her win becomes all the more special as the Group One races are the highest level of racing for the most elite thoroughbreds. Although female jockeys have been given a weight allowance in France in recent years, this advantage does not apply to Group One races.

The Sunday win was part of the lucrative Longchamps meeting which also hosts Europe’s richest race — the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, which was won by Sottsass.

Marciallis was met by rapturous applause after winning the prestigious Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac.

_{Featured image: CNN International}