🔥 French horse, foreign saddle: Ségeon reveals the truth about Asian horse racing and why he doesn’t want to return to France
It’s a statement that threatens to shake the already fragile foundations of French horse racing. Having lived in Asia for several years, Cédric Ségeon, one of France’s most internationally respected jockeys, has broken his silence in an exclusive interview that has the effect of a bombshell. Behind his discreet smile and impressive track record, lies a bitter truth about the state of the French horse racing world, and above all, the underlying reasons that are driving him to turn his back on his native country.
From his beginnings at Maisons-Laffitte to his exploits in Singapore, Mauritius, and Macau, Ségeon has built a solid career, respected by his peers and admired by many foreign trainers. But behind this international success lies a deep disappointment. “I won’t return to France. Not as long as it remains what it has become,” he says bluntly. These words resonate like a bolt from the blue for some purists of French racing, who see Ségeon as a symbol of what the French system has failed to protect.
The reason for this disenchantment is simple but brutal: “In Asia, jockeys are respected. We are treated like real athletes. In France, I too often felt like a sidekick. Poorly organized races, a lack of support, conflicts of interest… I’ve had enough.” A direct criticism that hurts to hear, but which sadly resonates with what other expatriate jockeys whisper without ever daring to say it publicly.
For Ségeon, the appeal of Asia isn’t just about money, even if the bonuses and prize money are significantly higher than those offered in France. It’s above all about respect for the profession, a more professional organization, and a vibrant passion among the public. “Over there, when you win a race, it’s an event. Here in France, I’ve too often had the impression that even when I win, no one is watching.”
These revelations raise a broader question about the health of French racing. While the PMU tries to survive in a saturated and aging market, and racetracks struggle to attract new spectators, talent is disappearing. And Ségeon is just one example among many. How many apprentice French jockeys now dream of trying their luck in Hong Kong, Japan, or even Dubai? This silent exodus could well accelerate if French leaders don’t wake up to the malaise.
But Ségeon doesn’t want to come across as a moralizer either. He speaks with the clarity of someone who has seen the best and worst of the sport. “I don’t spit on my roots,” he says. “It was in France that I learned this profession, that I became who I am. But we have to be honest: if we want to keep our jockeys, we have to change mentalities.”
While Asia continues to attract the best talent in the world of horse racing, France seems to be sinking into a decline that no one wants to name. Thanks to men like Ségeon, the truth is beginning to emerge. But will it be heard? Nothing is less certain. In the meantime, while the French stands empty, Asian racetracks vibrate to the rhythm of French victories… under a different saddle.
