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Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Jean-Pierre Guillambert was born August 28, 1982 into an Anglo-French family that was steeped in racing. His father, Parisian Jean-Luc Guillambert, was a top amateur jockey in France and rode out for Josh Gifford. Jean-Luc married Wendy, three-times winner of the Miss Watney beauty title, after they met at his former Brighton restaurant, and he went on to make his fortune with his Ascot Supreme Horseboxes business.
Jean-Pierre Guillambert was born August 28, 1982 into an Anglo-French family that was steeped in racing. His father, Parisian Jean-Luc Guillambert, was a top amateur jockey in France and rode out for Josh Gifford. Jean-Luc married Wendy, three-times winner of the Miss Watney beauty title, after they met at his former Brighton restaurant, and he went on to make his fortune with his Ascot Supreme Horseboxes business.
Jean-Pierre was never going to stay at Epsom College for the sixth form as he was long gone before breakfast every morning, slipping away to ride out at Geoff Lewis’ stable before lessons. He left school at 16 and spent time at the predominantly jumping establishments of champion trainer Martin Pipe and Mark Pitman.
Jean-Pierre was never going to stay at Epsom College for the sixth form as he was long gone before breakfast every morning, slipping away to ride out at Geoff Lewis’ stable before lessons. He left school at 16 and spent time at the predominantly jumping establishments of champion trainer Martin Pipe and Mark Pitman.
Pipe believed he had natural talent but felt he was too light for a jumping career and advised him to go on to the Flat for a couple of seasons before returning to the National Hunt world. However, having no trouble in keeping his weight to 8st 3lb, he decided to stay on the Flat.
Pipe believed he had natural talent but felt he was too light for a jumping career and advised him to go on to the Flat for a couple of seasons before returning to the National Hunt world. However, having no trouble in keeping his weight to 8st 3lb, he decided to stay on the Flat.
He started out as an amateur rider and had his first ride on Franklin D for trainer John Jenkins in seven-furlong amateur riders’ handicap at Southwell on February 26, 2001, finishing fifth. He then joined Jamie Osborne’s yard as an apprentice and rode his first winner on Moyne Pleasure, trained by Osborne, in a one-mile apprentices’ claiming race at Southwell on January 31, 2002.
He started out as an amateur rider and had his first ride on Franklin D for trainer John Jenkins in seven-furlong amateur riders’ handicap at Southwell on February 26, 2001, finishing fifth. He then joined Jamie Osborne’s yard as an apprentice and rode his first winner on Moyne Pleasure, trained by Osborne, in a one-mile apprentices’ claiming race at Southwell on January 31, 2002.
He continued his apprenticeship with Nick Littmoden and also rode for London trainer Andrew Reid. He won six races as a 7lb claimer on the Littmoden-trained Lakota Brave in 2002, including a £10,000 conditions race at Lingfield.
He continued his apprenticeship with Nick Littmoden and also rode for London trainer Andrew Reid. He won six races as a 7lb claimer on the Littmoden-trained Lakota Brave in 2002, including a £10,000 conditions race at Lingfield.
Jean-Pierre went on to enjoy a successful 13-year career in Britain, notching 123 winners including six Listed race successes. He also won a German Group 3 race, the Walther J. Jacobs-Stutenpreis at Bremen on August 19, 2007 aboard Majounes Song for trainer Mark Johnston.
Jean-Pierre went on to enjoy a successful 13-year career in Britain, notching 123 winners including six Listed race successes. He also won a German Group 3 race, the Walther J. Jacobs-Stutenpreis at Bremen on August 19, 2007 aboard Majounes Song for trainer Mark Johnston.
He rode what was to be his final British winner on The Strig, trained by Stuart Williams, in a class 5 handicap at Brighton on September 16, 2013.
He rode what was to be his final British winner on The Strig, trained by Stuart Williams, in a class 5 handicap at Brighton on September 16, 2013.
John-Pierre quit Britain soon after and went to ride in Qatar for Jassim Mohammed Ghazali. When the racing season ended there in the summer, he moved base and rode in Mauritius.
John-Pierre quit Britain soon after and went to ride in Qatar for Jassim Mohammed Ghazali. When the racing season ended there in the summer, he moved base and rode in Mauritius.
In March 2017 he married former jockey Kelly Harrison who had, at Jean-Pierre’s suggestion, come out of retirement and made a winning return to the professional ranks at Al Rayyan in Doha when guiding the Bustawi Ismail-trained Al Gomry to victory.
In March 2017 he married former jockey Kelly Harrison who had, at Jean-Pierre’s suggestion, come out of retirement and made a winning return to the professional ranks at Al Rayyan in Doha when guiding the Bustawi Ismail-trained Al Gomry to victory.
In July 2017 he went to ride in South Korea. He was the only British jockey the country – where Darryll Holland rode for a number of seasons – and quickly made his mark.
In July 2017 he went to ride in South Korea. He was the only British jockey the country – where Darryll Holland rode for a number of seasons – and quickly made his mark.
Because of the length of the Qatar season and what he earned there, he decided for tax purposes to become a non-UK resident, meaning he could spend a maximum of 90 days in the UK.
Because of the length of the Qatar season and what he earned there, he decided for tax purposes to become a non-UK resident, meaning he could spend a maximum of 90 days in the UK.
He made a brief return to Britain in 2018 and had a few rides, the last of them being on Beat The Judge, trained by Ed Vaughan, at Newmarket’s July Course on August 28, 2018, finishing sixth.
He made a brief return to Britain in 2018 and had a few rides, the last of them being on Beat The Judge, trained by Ed Vaughan, at Newmarket’s July Course on August 28, 2018, finishing sixth.
Now back riding in Qatar, he finished tenth in the Qatar Derby at Doha on December 21, 2019.
Now back riding in Qatar, he finished tenth in the Qatar Derby at Doha on December 21, 2019.
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