Roxane Liegeois, an apprentice jockey from France, has always shown a willingness to journey across the globe in pursuit of new opportunities.
Her professional path has led her from her French homeland to racing venues throughout the United Arab Emirates and, more recently, to Southern California, where she is embarking on a fresh journey and achieving positive results.
This transition yielded a significant milestone on August 16, when Liegeois guided Chasing Kat to the winner’s circle at Del Mar, securing her maiden victory in the United States at one of the country’s most iconic summer racing festivals. This achievement marked the newest phase of a journey that has introduced her to diverse global racing traditions.
A Global Education in Horse Racing
Her introduction to the industry started in France, where Liegeois entered a specialized racing academy at age 16, training for three years to master the trade. At 17, she initiated her formal apprenticeship, taking her inaugural competitive ride in 2021 under the guidance of trainer Christophe Ferland.
The subsequent year brought Liegeois her first major career breakthrough. On September 1, 2022, she piloted Lastrada to a first-place finish for Ferland in a one-mile contest at Longchamp, capturing her very first professional victory on her 41st career ride.
“I secured my opening victory in France at Longchamp, riding for my initial employer,” Liegeois recalled.
In total, she recorded four triumphs on French soil before deciding to broaden her horizons internationally. Approximately three years back, Liegeois began spending the winter seasons competing in the United Arab Emirates, gathering valuable experience at venues such as Meydan, Abu Dhabi Turf Club, Jebel Ali Racecourse, Al Ain Racecourse, and Sharjah Racecourse.
Relocating and adjusting to new environments rapidly became central pillars of how Liegeois developed her professional path.
“I enjoy traveling and attempting to ride in various places,” she explained. “During the off-season in Dubai, I considered exploring other options, such as America, to pick up experience and determine if I could secure race mounts.”
Her stint in the UAE yielded another major landmark on November 1, 2024, when Liegeois steered the Yas Racing-owned Raddad Al Wathba to a win in a 1,600-meter maiden event for Purebred Arabians at Al Ain. Under the training of Eric Lemartinel, Raddad Al Wathba recovered from a sluggish beginning to seize control in the concluding 200 meters, winning by over two lengths and providing Liegeois with experience handling a highly distinct breed of competitor.
“It presented an entirely unique style of racing,” she noted. “Competing with Arabian horses can demand more physical effort.”
Following a pair of seasons riding for Lemartinel and building her proficiency with Arabians, Liegeois adjusted her path before the 2025–26 UAE season, aligning with Thoroughbred trainer Bhupat Seemar at Zabeel Stables in Dubai.
Though Liegeois initially found it challenging to secure riding engagements, her chances steadily grew as the season moved forward.
“In the beginning, booking rides was quite difficult because I was new to his barn and he already employed numerous riders,” Liegeois explained. “However, by the time the season was winding down, I began receiving more opportunities from him.”
Throughout this journey, Liegeois was likewise adjusting to a competitive style that was vastly different from her foundational training in France.
“Back in France, we proceed at a slower pace with the horses,” Liegeois remarked. “We could dedicate an hour to training a single runner, focusing primarily on Tapeta synthetic tracks or grass. The overall tactical approach is distinct, meaning you must employ different strategies.”
While French racing placed a premium on finesse and technique, competing in the UAE demanded that she build greater physical strength and adapt to high-tempo dirt contests.
“French racing relies heavily on style rather than sheer power,” she observed. “Arriving in Dubai presented a real challenge initially. I had to develop more physical power and adopt a more aggressive riding style.”
A Fresh Start in California
The lessons Liegeois acquired in the Emirates served as excellent preparation for yet another racing environment—the North American circuit—making her adaptation to the U.S. feel far more natural than her previous relocation from France.
“There are quite a few similarities between Dubai and America,” she noted. “Both feature dirt racing, high-speed paces, and require physically robust horses.”
Following an encouraging opening season in Dubai, Liegeois intends to rejoin Seemar’s stable for another run. In the interim, she capitalized on the Middle Eastern off-season to continue broadening her skill set, setting her sights on Southern California.
“My trip to California was planned for just a few months to gather knowledge,” Liegeois said. “I also held out hope that I could pick up some racing opportunities during my stay.”
Liegeois started exercising horses for trainer George Papaprodromou, who quickly handed her a chance to compete. On July 3 at Los Alamitos, she rode Desert Kat to a fourth-place finish in her American debut.
“My goal was to understand the training methods and riding style used in America,” Liegeois explained. “Even though it shares traits with Dubai, I wanted to refine my approach to fit the specific demands of racing in the U.S., which has its own nuances.”
Minor variations in equipment and technique can have major consequences during a race. In her first American appearance, Liegeois dropped her whip, a mishap she linked to differences in the gear and riding postures she had practiced abroad.
“The style of the reins is different, and the whip I had was oversized for this jurisdiction,” she explained. “As a result, I focused on adapting to the local racing style as quickly as possible. I put in extra training, did targeted workouts, and made sure I was prepared for my next competitive opportunity.”
Her second ride in the U.S. came aboard Victoria’s Jewel at Del Mar on August 6. Just ten days later, Liegeois entered the Del Mar starting gate once more, this time partnering with Chasing Kat for Papaprodromou.
On this occasion, all the elements fell into place. Off at odds of 6.60-1 in a 5 ½-furlong claiming event, Chasing Kat carried Liegeois to her premier American victory in what was only her third mount in the country.
“Competing here was tough initially, but that was my entire reason for coming—to gain knowledge,” Liegeois expressed. “Over these two months, my skills have grown significantly. Achieving my first victory in just three attempts happened incredibly quickly, and I am thrilled about it.”
Liegeois noted that female riders are more common in American racing than in Dubai, even though she often remains the sole woman in the jockeys’ room during her stint in Southern California. Still, she believes that gender is irrelevant to performance once a race gets underway.
“Because male riders outnumber us, it is statistically easier to find skilled men than women simply due to our smaller numbers. However, talent is individual—some men outperform women, and some women outperform men. It balances out.”
In her view, the most crucial attribute is the perseverance to push through challenging periods, a principle she has relied on ever since her early days striving to secure rides in France.
“My beginnings were incredibly demanding, and for a long period, I struggled just to obtain mounts,” Liegeois stated. “You must maintain concentration and stay absolutely committed to your ambitions. While the journey is difficult, success is within reach.”
Looking Ahead to a Potential Return
What was originally intended as a brief developmental visit during her break from UAE racing quickly began to resemble the foundation of a longer-term endeavor.
“My initial intention was simply to travel here, experience the environment, and gauge my interest,” Liegeois remarked. “Now that I have already recorded a win, I feel strongly that I should return in the future.”
Liegeois is still set on heading back to Dubai, where prep work for the 2026–27 UAE campaign starts in September prior to the October launch of the race meetings. This upcoming season promises another grueling schedule, during which Liegeois will regularly breeze six or seven horses every morning before competing in the afternoon races.
“It is a highly demanding routine because the season runs continuously for seven months,” she explained. “There are no breaks. Every single day requires intense dedication—rising in the early morning hours, heading to the racetrack later in the day, and repeating that cycle for over half a year.”
During her stay at Del Mar, Liegeois settled into a comparable pattern, frequently riding up to nine horses each morning to perfect the American technique she traveled across the globe to acquire.
However, her breakthrough win on American soil has reshaped her perspective on her post-Dubai plans. Instead of planning another brief, casual trip, Liegeois now hopes to return to the United States on a more competitive basis, find professional representation, and actively build a larger portfolio of mounts.
“It feels as though I am already laying down roots and building momentum here in California,” she said. “That provides me with the drive to keep pushing and refining my skills. My goal is simply to progress, secure more race opportunities, obtain quality mounts, and earn the trust of local horsemen and owners.”
