Barzalona scandal: Visa ban was just the beginning – investigation reveals plot to remove him from Royal Ascot

What appeared to be a simple administrative problem is turning into one of the most sensational scandals of the year in the horse racing world. Mickaël Barzalona, ​​a star French jockey and iconic figure at Europe’s biggest racecourses, was allegedly the target of a deliberate plot to prevent him from competing at Royal Ascot 2025. According to sources close to the case, a confidential investigation conducted by French authorities has just revealed disturbing facts: his visa refusal is only the tip of the iceberg.

Barzalona, ​​33, was scheduled to ride several horses for the Godolphin stable at the prestigious British event. But to everyone’s surprise, his visa application was rejected just days before the event, without any clear official justification. At the time, the incident was described as a “technical delay” by those close to him. However, recent revelations shed light on a completely different, far more worrying reality.

Internal documents reviewed by a specialist media outlet reveal that certain influential agents in the industry actively attempted to damage Barzalona’s reputation by orchestrating an underground campaign to block his participation. The alleged objective? To clear the way for other jockeys in a Royal Ascot already marked by backroom tensions. Encrypted messages exchanged between several intermediaries suggest that pressure was exerted to delay, or even sabotage, his visa application.

If these facts prove true, this would be an unprecedented attempt to remove a competitor at the peak of his career through non-sporting means. For many observers, the timing is anything but trivial: Barzalona was coming off several strong performances at Chantilly and Longchamp, and his presence at Ascot posed a direct threat to several English teams. Some even go so far as to describe a “silent ouster strategy” carried out by jealous rivals or those eager to control results.

For his part, Mickaël Barzalona remains silent for now. His legal team says it is “shocked but determined to get to the truth.” Privately, the jockey reportedly confided to those close to him that he felt “betrayed by a system he thought was fair.” An official complaint is expected to be filed by the end of the week, and a commission of inquiry could be established in conjunction with the Ministry of Sports.

This case reignites the debate on transparency in the world of international horse racing. How far are some willing to go to win? The Barzalona case could well set a precedent, serving as a catalyst for broader reform of visa allocation and jockey hiring practices across Europe.

Meanwhile, fans are taking to social media to protest, demanding answers and Barzalona’s immediate reinstatement to major competitions. The hashtag #JusticeForBarzalona is now trending, proof that public opinion is following this case very closely. Because beyond sport, it’s a question of integrity. And for many, the damage is already done.