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'I've made history' - glorious girls Marcialis and Tiger Tanaka shine in Boussac

Tiger Tanaka and Jessica Marcialis celebrate winning the Prix Marcel Boussac, the first time. a female jockey ha won a Group 1. race in FranceLongchamp 4.10.20 Pic: Edward Whitaker
Tiger Tanaka and Jessica Marcialis win the Qatar Prix Marcel BoussacCredit: Edward Whitaker

Jessica Marcialis made history at Longchamp on Sunday, becoming the first female jockey to win a Group 1 in France and proclaiming "mums can do it" after Tiger Tanaka’s victory in the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac.

Marcialis enjoyed a smooth passage in the straight, avoiding the trouble in the chasing pack that led to the challenge of strong-travelling British raider Fev Rover being stopped at a crucial point, and struck the front over a furlong out.

From there Tiger Tanaka quickened and battled all the way to the line to see off Tasmania by three-quarters of a length. Marcialis erupted with a huge scream as she sealed her ground-breaking moment.


Prix Marcel Boussac result and analysis


To make her victory even more special, the winning trainer was her partner Charley Rossi and she was met with more roars from the paddock after the historic success.

"It's incredible," the jockey said, holding her young son in one hand and the trophy in another. "I don't have words. Yesterday we said it was just amazing to be here.

"She was really relaxed throughout the race. It's incredible because in all the races I've ridden her, every time she has been different. I've made history. I want to say to all the mums that we can do it. Be strong."

Tiger Tanaka and Jessica Marcialis celebrate winning the Prix Marcel Boussac, the first time. a female jockey ha won a Group 1. race in FranceLongchamp 4.10.20 Pic: Edward Whitaker
Jessica Marcialis after her historic Group 1 triumph in the Prix Marcel BoussacCredit: Edward Whitaker

Rossi was recording his first top-level win, which capped a remarkable rise to stardom for Tiger Tanaka. She was claimed for €23,789 before notching four wins from five starts for the trainer to earn her place in the Marcel Boussac.

Rossi said: "It's fantastic to win this with my wife riding and an owner who's a friend. It's a shame there aren't more people here to see it. It's magic and my friends are here, which is the main thing."

On his feelings during the race, he added: "I felt like I was ready to burst. I was yelling and really let go. It was incredible because I could see that she was full of running and just looking for the gap. When she went clear it was a little unreal for me but she really has won. I think we've made history today."

It was a completely different story for the luckless Fev Rover, sent off 5-2 favourite and representing Richard Fahey and the Nick Bradley syndicate.

Ben Curtis made his challenge only to have the door quickly slammed shut in front of him. King's Harlequin swerved in from the left, and shortly afterwards bumped into Fev Rover on the right, effectively ending her Group 1 quest.

"I thought I was going to have a lovely run through but I got hit from all angles," Curtis said. "I had a lovely pitch round and was exactly where I wanted to be but I got flattened twice. But that's horseracing."

The Ken Condon-trained Thunder Beauty finished seventh.


Race results and analysis


Read more reports from Arc Sunday:

Sottsass lands Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with Enable only sixth at Longchamp

'She's been a joy' – Grimthorpe praises Enable as Arc proves one race too many

Delight for Rossi as superb Sealiway proves far too good for the rest


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West Country correspondent

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