Jacques Ricou joins Willie Mullins for winter stint
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: “I take the boat to Ireland later today and will arrive tomorrow afternoon. 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.”
Meanwhile Punchestown Festival winner Avant Tout is in line to make his return to action at either Leopardstown or Limerick over the Christmas period.
The five-year-old was a surprise winner for Willie Mullins in County Kildare in April, but showed off his talent once more with an emphatic success on his chasing bow at Tramore a month later.
Given a break since, Avant Tout is set for a step up in class this winter, with the newly-named Neville Hotels Novice Chase at Leopardstown on December 29 among his options.
Steve Massey, racing manager for the owners Supreme Horse Racing Club, said: “I was excited to hear he has been given an entry in the Grade One three-mile novice chase at Leopardstown and there is also a Grade Two at Limerick on St Stephen’s Day – a race Willie (Mullins) has won with Sir Des Champs and The Paparrazi Kid in recent years.
“He is really a spring horse and we already have one eye on the big Festivals next year.”
Another Supreme runner being primed for a return is talented mare Uranna, who is set to embark on a career over fences.
The seven-year-old won a Listed hurdle race at Sandown back in February and was last seen being touched off by stable companion Whiteout at the Punchestown Festival.
“She is in very good order and is a real natural over fences,” said Massey. “She opened her account over hurdles at Limerick last Christmas and the plan is to head back there for a mares’ beginners chase on December 29.”
