She was the first female rider to win at the top level in France and it was her team popping the champagne after this year’s Shergar Cup.

But now, Marie Velon has her sights set on another historic victory at Sunday’s Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR).

Velon will continue her association with the gelding that elevated her career to new heights when she hops aboard the Jean-Pierre Gauvin-trained Iresine in Sunday’s HK$24 million Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m).

While the prospect of becoming the first female to win a feature race at HKIR might seem daunting for a 25-year-old used to the rural soundings of central France, Velon is eager to grab the big-race opportunity with both hands.

“Jockeys always like to think about new destinations and countries, it’s exciting,” Velon said. “It’s a new experience for me and I am glad to have this opportunity after riding in Japan and the UK.

“We had already talked about Hong Kong with trainer Mr Gauvin for Iresine and we went to Japan last year, so now I’m happy to be coming to Hong Kong.”

Progressing from the bright-eyed teenager who turned up at Gauvin’s stable in 2017 to one of the top 10 riders in France with two Group One wins under her belt, Velon has wasted no time rising through the ranks.

She set a record for the number of wins for a female jockey in France in 2020 with 84 victories, has taken home the Golden Whip as the highest-ranked female rider on four occasions and most recently, was part of the winning team at Ascot for the Shergar Cup.

Her partnership with Iresine, who cost a paltry €6,000 (HK$48,983) as a yearling, has yielded 15 wins and taken her on overseas trips to last year’s Group One Japan Cup (2,400m) and October’s Group One Champion Stakes (2,000m) at Ascot.

The seven-year-old has been a powerful force in the middle-distance and staying divisions in France, breaking through at the elite level in the Group One Prix Royal-Oak (3,100m) on heavy ground in October 2022.

He repeated the feat in the Group One Prix Ganay (2,100m) in April last year, with Velon delivering him with panache from the rear of the field on the very soft surface.

The son of Manduro arrives at Sha Tin on the back of a bold effort in the Champion Stakes at Ascot, where the galloper was denied a clear run 400m out.

“He is in really good form,” Velon said. “After his race at Ascot he has stayed fit and well. We were unlucky there, we probably would have finished third, so I think he will have a real opportunity [in the Vase]. I am sure he will try his best as usual [and] he can kick very well.”

While Iresine was no match for the reopposing Dubai Honour in the Group One Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (2,400m) in June, he added to his win tally with a narrow success in September’s Group Two Prix Foy (2,400m).

Velon is confident he will be able to handle the challenge of travelling to Asia despite failing to fire in the Japan Cup. The rider admits, however, that the quick ground at Sha Tin poses a question mark.

“Tokyo was a good experience for Iresine, he grew up mentally and now he travels better. Plus, back to 2,400m he will be better again,” Velon said.

“I only wonder about the ground in Hong Kong. We never know before we try, but Iresine likes soft ground more than good ground. That’s my only reservation.”

Iresine and the Andre Fabre-trained Marquisat will aim to build on the sublime record of French raiders in the Vase, with France amassing 11 wins from the 15 renewals its taken part in.

But for Velon, she hopes her appearance at HKIR can open the door for a return to the city in the future.

“I have already taken part at some international jockeys’ championships in Saudi Arabia on Saudi Cup Day, in Sapporo in Japan and Ascot for the Shergar Cup. It has always been an amazing experience so I would be happy to participate in the [IJC] one day,” she said.

“Hong Kong is a famous country for racing, so I hope one day I will get a chance to come and ride again.”