French Rider Tomas Gets First U.S. Victory

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Photo: Coglianese Photos

Apprentice jockey Pierre Tomas (left) is "congratulated" after his first North American win.

Apprentice jockey Pierre Tomas won his first race in North America Feb. 1 when he rode Victorious Leader to a 41-1 upset in the seventh race at Aqueduct Racetrack (VIDEO).

Tomas, 20, is from Deauville in France, and has been competing in New York since the 2012 Belmont Park fall meet.

“I love New York. I love the life,” said Tomas. “I’ve been here for one year and I love to ride here.”

Tomas previously won six races in France, his first victory coming aboard Annee Du Tango June 6, 2010 at Les Sables-d'Olonne racecourse. The apprentice’s agent, Jean-Luc Samyn, won 2,613 races as a jockey before retiring from the saddle in November 2011.
 

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