Muzi making move to France

Jack Milner

Muzi Yeni has been looking to expand his riding skills and gain some international experience for some time and on Tuesday he will be flying out for a short stint to ply his trade in France.

“I have a milestone birthday this year as I turn 40 in December, and I have always wanted to test myself in another country and also expand my knowledge,” said Yeni on Tuesday.

“I applied to ride in France and they have okayed my application so I will go there for about a month and see how it works out.”

At this stage he is going in blind as he has not raced in France and has nothing finalised at a particular centre or with a particular trainer.

“I am working on that before I leave, and I have been looking at various options. I have spoken to people who have offered some assistance, but my first aim is to find an agent who will negotiate with trainers to provide me with rides.

“I have received some suggestions from people in the know about where in the country I should base myself and I hope to sort that out over the next few days.

“I know they have many racecourses in the country and I will be happy to go wherever the opportunities arise.”

Yeni has been riding particularly well of late and last year finished fourth on the national jockeys’ log with 148 winners and has regularly featured in the top 10 riders in the country since the 2010-2011 season.

His best finish was second behind Lyle Hewitson in the 2018-2019 season.

So far, he has ridden 2,668 winners and has placed with another 10,625 runners.

He does have some international experience and in October 2024, Yeni became the last jockey to win at Singapore’s Kranji Racecourse, guiding Smart Star to victory in the Grand Singapore Gold Cup (Grade 1) over 2000m, etching his name into racing history.

Yeni believes he does have a few details in his favour. “I feel I will be able to bring years of experience to the job, after all, I’ve been riding since I was 16.”

His other advantage is that he can ride at 51kg and that could help to open a few doors.

France is reported to have around 233 racecourses and they service Flat racing, hurdle and steeplechase racing as well as harness racing.

“I have booked a plane ticket to fly out on Tuesday and to return in early December, however, that will all depend on how things workout.

“If things do go well I will look to extend the trip.

“I know it won’t be easy to start all over against in a foreign country where I don’t speak the language, but I look forward to the challenge and believe I’m capable of dealing with any hurdles that might stand in my way.”