Although no longer really considered as such, Nathanaël Ferreira still has the status of apprentice, since he has 49 victories in competition. He still has a little way to go (86 successes) before completely losing his discharge and thus become a professional jockey. In any case, the 23-year-old young man is currently in first place in the standings of the Cagnes-sur-Mer meeting with five victories, one unit ahead of his closest pursuers (Editor’s note: Felix de Giles and Johnny Charron). “My status has evolved a lot. I regularly take part in quintés, races without relief, etc.”, indicates Nathanaël Ferreira.
Stay at the top of the list
If the years are good in the Paris region, the Riviera meeting is particularly successful for the jockey: “I have always had great success at Cagnes. In addition, this year I have the chance to be associated with good horses. I’ve been in the Top 3 for two years, but this is the first time I’ve reached this score so quickly. Like all professionals, you have to have horses that adapt well to the track to succeed here. Being at the top of the list is not a basic objective, but given that I am in this place, I would like to stay there!”
Originally from the west of France, Nathanaël Ferreira began the profession at Afasec and alongside Jean-Paul Gallorini, with whom he discovered the Riviera racecourse: “I rode my first race here, for him. I’m on my sixth meeting. In Cagnes-sur-Mer, I scored my first success, then my first shot of two and my first shot of three.”
A new beginning
The rest (and most of it) of his career was spent alongside Sylvain Dehez, for whom he became the original equipment and for whom he carried out the following meetings. But for the first time this year, Nathanaël Ferreira is working as a freelancer. “I left Sylvain Dehez’s stable. We were at the end of the cycle and I felt that maybe we needed to change. However, I will remain based near Maisons-Laffitte. Anyway, I thank him for everything he was able to do for me. He shaped me and gave me a chance despite my young age. I owe him a lot.” The pilot is also in the saddle every morning on the slopes of Cagnes-sur-Mer: “I put together two batches at Mickaël Seror, then I organize myself as I see fit.”
Beyond the races, the Côte d’Azur has its benefits, the sun allowing you to escape from the gray Parisian life… And the less regular deadlines allow the young man to indulge in other activities: “Apart from training, we try to take advantage of the good weather. My in-laws, who are into the trot, are present in the region. I take the opportunity to spend time with them, but also to take up sulky riding, for fun.”
His beautiful impressions of the meeting
“Polar Day made a very good impression on me in the end. He started on the Cagnois steeplechase and adapted very well to the racecourse. He’s a classy horse and the field was interesting. It makes him feel good to be here. I hope to remain associated with him. Kristal du Seuilwith whom I won, can double the bet. Its last performance in the Quinté+ is not bad, because we put it behind, and no one came back from the rear. It will also be necessary to resume Marie Goa 3 year old. She didn’t understand anything when she started in the Prix des Citronniers. Last time she made a mistake and I fell. However, she is a filly who has a lot of quality.”
