Lerner Back in Malaysia But for Longer This Time

New Zealand was enjoyable, but the endless road trips took their toll on French jockey

- Michael Lee

Marc Lerner has called time on his New Zealand adventure, but that quest for new horizons has far from worn off – he is now taking his saddle to Malaysia.

Kuala Lumpur – his upcoming base – is not uncharted waters, as the 34-year-old French jockey has often made hit-and-runs to the Sungai Besi track.

Towards the end of his six full seasons at Kranji, Lim’s Kosciuszko’s regular partner ventured twice across the Causeway, notching three wins – including the Group 1 Perak Derby with the Lawson Moy-trained Trumpy on April 7, 2024.

While in New Zealand, he returned for a third cameo on March 16 for the Tunku Gold Cup meeting, again not returning empty-handed, with one win aboard One Abracadabra for Sivan Veerapen on the undercard.

His Tunku Gold Cup ride Super Salute failed to fire, running seventh to Noah Khan, but, incidentally, just returned to winning ways two runs later at Ipoh on April 13.

Lerner said Super Salute would be his ride from now on, but the former EW Barker Trophy winner is not the only thing he is looking forward to.