Jean Deforge
1935 - 1983
Jean Deforge with Exbury on which he won the 1963 Coronation Cup
Jean Deforge and Fric, winners of the 1957 Coronation Cup at Epsom
1935-1983
1935-1983
Born in Avignon at 3.30 p.m. on July 25, 1935, Jean Maurice Deforge was a leading French jockey based at Chantilly. He served his apprenticeship with Jack Cunnington at Chantilly and rode his first winner, Whip, at Le Tremblay in April 1951.
Born in Avignon at 3.30 p.m. on July 25, 1935, Jean Maurice Deforge was a leading French jockey based at Chantilly. He served his apprenticeship with Jack Cunnington at Chantilly and rode his first winner, Whip, at Le Tremblay in April 1951.
Retained by Baron Guy de Rothschild, he rode over 1,500 winners including every French classic, the first two coming in 1955 on Klairon in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas) and Douve in the Prix de Diane (French Oaks). In 1956 he won the Prix Royal Oak (French St Leger ) for the first time on Arabian.
Retained by Baron Guy de Rothschild, he rode over 1,500 winners including every French classic, the first two coming in 1955 on Klairon in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas) and Douve in the Prix de Diane (French Oaks). In 1956 he won the Prix Royal Oak (French St Leger ) for the first time on Arabian.
His victories in 1957 included two major prizes in England, the Coronation Cup at Epsom and the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, both on Fric.
His victories in 1957 included two major prizes in England, the Coronation Cup at Epsom and the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, both on Fric.
He was the French champion jockey in 1957 and again in 1958, enjoying his best season in 1958 with 130 winners, which included that year’s Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) on Tamanar.
He was the French champion jockey in 1957 and again in 1958, enjoying his best season in 1958 with 130 winners, which included that year’s Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) on Tamanar.
Jean’s career was at its peak in the mid-1960s. In 1963 he won the Coronation Cup and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Exbury, and Newmarket’s Champion Stakes on Hula Dancer. In 1964 he won the Prix Royal Oak for a second time aboard Barbieri.
Jean’s career was at its peak in the mid-1960s. In 1963 he won the Coronation Cup and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Exbury, and Newmarket’s Champion Stakes on Hula Dancer. In 1964 he won the Prix Royal Oak for a second time aboard Barbieri.
He recorded back-to-back renewals of the Washington D.C. International at Laurel Park, Maryland, on Diatome (1965) and 16-1 chance Behistoun (1966). He won the Prix Ganay on those same horses, Diatome in 1966 and Behistoun in 1967, and won successive runnings of the Poule d’essai des Poulains on Soleil (1966) and Blue Tom (1967).
He recorded back-to-back renewals of the Washington D.C. International at Laurel Park, Maryland, on Diatome (1965) and 16-1 chance Behistoun (1966). He won the Prix Ganay on those same horses, Diatome in 1966 and Behistoun in 1967, and won successive runnings of the Poule d’essai des Poulains on Soleil (1966) and Blue Tom (1967).
Other successes in 1967 included the Prix Morny on Madina, the Prix du Moulin on Great Nephew, and the Prix Vermeille on Haltilalo.
Other successes in 1967 included the Prix Morny on Madina, the Prix du Moulin on Great Nephew, and the Prix Vermeille on Haltilalo.
He was noted for favouring waiting tactics, which at times left him open to criticism, most notably when giving Vaguely Noble too much to do in the 1968 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, after which Bill Williamson replaced him.
He was noted for favouring waiting tactics, which at times left him open to criticism, most notably when giving Vaguely Noble too much to do in the 1968 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, after which Bill Williamson replaced him.
One of his last significant race victories came on Luthier in the 1968 Prix Jacques le Marois. He finished third in the 1969 Epsom Derby on Prince Regent.
One of his last significant race victories came on Luthier in the 1968 Prix Jacques le Marois. He finished third in the 1969 Epsom Derby on Prince Regent.
Jean Deforge died on June 29, 1983, aged 47.
Jean Deforge died on June 29, 1983, aged 47.