Italian Cristian Demuro will ride all of Sumbe's French-trained horses beginning on New Year's Day, after an agreement was reached between Nurlan Bizakov and the Italian. Bizakov's operation announced the news on X on Friday.
The 31-year-old began his career in Italy, achieving a career-best 264 wins in 2012, before moving to France. He has amassed 236 stakes wins globally since the move and is a two-time winner of the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Sottsass {Fr}, 2020 & Ace Impact {Ire}, 2023). Besides his eight victories in the French Classics, Demuro has also won five Group 1 races in Japan.
“It is with great pleasure that we announce an agreement between Sumbe's owner, Nurlan Bizakov, and Italian-born, French-based jockey Cristian Demuro,” Sumbe said in a statement. “Effective from 1 January 2025, Demuro will partner with French-trained horses in Bizakov's racing operation…
“As this new and exciting chapter begins, Nurlan Bizakov extends his heartfelt gratitude to the French jockeys who have ridden for him in recent years. Their skill and dedication have delivered extraordinary success throughout the 2024 racing season.
“The collaboration with Cristian Demuro promises to build on this success and marks a step forward for Sumbe's racing ambitions.”
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