Alex Achard

After race riding in his native France and on an international level, Alex Achard wanted to establish himself as a U.S. jockey. He was slightly acquainted with another French jockey, Florent Geroux, so he reached out to Geroux via social media for advice on transferring his skills to this country as Geroux had done. Geroux suggested Achard try Indiana Grand (then called Horseshoe Indianapolis) as a place to make connections.

“He said it would be a good place to be close to Kentucky but not be in Kentucky,” Achard said. “I felt like Indiana would be a good place to start and a good close spot if there was opportunity to ride at Keeneland and Churchill Downs.”

Achard previously had wintered as an exercise rider in Southern California (and rode a race there in 2014) so he went back to that trade in Indiana and then Saratoga Race Course. Along the way, he began picking up afternoon opportunities and despite going winless, he closed 2018 with 32 mounts. With a reputation as an enthusiastic hard worker willing to travel, Achard was a familiar figure at Turfway Park and Keeneland’s year-round barn area on Rice Road. He also frequented Keeneland-

owned The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington, where trainer Paulo Lobo gave him a leg up on In Love (BRZ), a horse that would elevate his career.

Together in 2021 they won an Arlington Park allowance race, the TVG Stakes at Kentucky Downs and scored Achard’s first Grade 1 win in the Keeneland Turf Mile. Achard gained further attention when he rode In Love in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Del Mar.