Xavier Ziani, who is retained by Fazza Racing Stables, was first licensed in UAE in 2006. However, he started off his career in France.

 

The top jockey used to be a top showjumper during his childhood and teens. He then went on to complete a degree in Accountancy before he began his career as a jockey. Initially, he started riding for a thoroughbred trainer in the summer while doing his degree. Pleased with the results, eventually, the trainer offered to take him on and help him become a professional jockey. In return, he told the trainer, “I will work hard and push myself until I am twenty-five (25) and if I still haven’t become successful, then I will go back to accounting.”

 

Neither of Ziani’s parents was involved with the racing or breeding industry. However, he fell in love with horses as a kid but never planned on becoming a professional jockey. It just happened!

 

In an exclusive interview with Ten Furlongs, Xavier Ziani talks about his life as a jockey in the UAE and his ambitions for the future:

 

Q: You started off riding Thoroughbreds but now mainly ride Arabians. In fact, you are the Jockey Ambassador for HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival. How did you transition?

A: When I started racing in France, Arabian races were not as popular as they are today. They were held selectively in the South of France and not in Chantilly where I was based. Neither was the prize money as big as it is today. So jockeys were reluctant to ride Arabians. I got my first chance to ride Arabians when I moved to the UAE and now I love them very much.

 

Q: Could you please tell us a bit more about your role in the HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival?

A: My role is to help the young generation appreciate Arabian horses and potentially develop an interest in riding them professionally. In fact now I am also the Ambassador jockey for Pony Racing which gets an even-more younger audience involved. We recently had the Pony Racing final here in Abu Dhabi. Pony racing finalists from eleven (11) countries participated. It was fantastic.

 

Q: Which horses are you looking forward to riding this season and hoping to see going up to do Dubai World Cup night?

A: I believe the 2 horses I look forward to watching on Dubai World Cup night will be Heavy Metal and Montserrat. Heavy Metal is a top miler and he’s turning nine (9) this year. Unlike other horses, he seems to be getting better and better as the years go by.

 

I am looking forward to seeing Montserrat perform in the ten Furlong contests (during the carnival and on DWC night). He is a new horse but his rating has now gone up to 103. We hope that during this season he can prove himself and maybe we will see him in the Dubai World Cup race itself. He won the Jebel Ali Stakes last season and so it is fitting that he will be starting his season at Jebel Ali in the next few weeks. These are the choices I'm fond off.

 

Published In Tenfurlongs Journey To The Dubai World Cup Vol - I

Click To view the complete The Impact Library - http://tenfurlongs.secretariatsworld.com/

Q: What would you say is your biggest disappointment in the last season?

A: Oh that’s easy! I got banned during the last race meeting before the Dubai World Cup. As a result, I missed my ride on Heavy Metal. He went on to win the Godolphin Mile. I could have been the one riding him to victory.

 

Q: And my final question to you is what's on your bucket list? You are already a Jockey Ambassador and your ride for the Crown Princes’ stables, so what would you like to be the next challenge for you?

A: With His Highness’ blessings I would like our stable to take some of our top horses to compete in European races during summer.

Published In  Tenfurlongs Journey To The Dubai World Cup Vol - I

Click To view the complete The Tenfurlongs Library - http://tenfurlongs.secretariatsworld.com/

 

 

Credit: Pallavi Shevade pallavi.shevade@secretariatsworld.com