Mickael Barzalona: the inside track on my Juddmonte ride Zaydann
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Wed 19 Aug 2026
Former French Champion Jockey and World Pool ambassador Mickael Barzalona shares the inside track on his ride aboard Zaydann in the Juddmonte International - on day one of York's Ebor Festival on Wednesday, live on Racing TV.
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It was brilliant to win the Prix Jacques Le Marois on Rayif last Sunday. We were a bit lucky that Bow Echo and Gstaad weren’t in the race, but you can only beat what is there and it’s always important to win these Group 1 races.
I think it was a very fair race and Rayif showed his versatility, on the good-to-firm ground and taking on older horses for the first time. He bounced back from being beaten the time before in the Prix Jean Prat, when he had excuses, which was great.
A mile [1600m] suits him and he can go on any ground. It looks like he will be going next to the QEII on British Champions Day at Ascot and we’ll look forward to that.
Race 4 | G1 International Stakes
ZAYDANN is a beautiful looking horse.
He’s done everything right, winning his last five runs. He’s only had two runs this season, so he’s still fresh.
The margin of his win in Vichy [G3 - 2000m/10f] was not much but I don’t think I had the best trip in the race. He’s not a horse that is going to win by 10 lengths and I think I still had plenty in hand at the line.
He will be fine on the ground, as it was actually good, good-to-firm ground when he won at Vichy. It should be a fair race, there’s a long straight at York so everyone should be able to get a clear run.
I think we’ll really be able to gauge how good Zaydann is after this. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is placed.
Of course it’s going to be a big challenge.
Ombudsman is the obvious one. I think he’s probably one of the best horses in the world right now. He won this race last year and he knows York very well. He’s only had three runs this year and John and Thady Gosden will have him perfectly prepared for this race. He’s the one to beat for me.
Constitution River is one of the best three-year-olds this year. He won the Prix du Jockey Club, he won the Eclipse but it’s still going to be tough taking on the older horses like Ombudsman. He’s done everything well so far but I think these will be the hardest rivals he has faced.
Almaqam is a good horse as well. He’s always been close to Calandagan and Ombudsman when they have met. He could be involved too so it looks a great race.
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