Jean Van Overmeire Writing A New Success Story

The chants of "JVO" grow throughout the racecourses of Australia for a young man whose star continues to rise, and with it, a reputation that grows as one of the most reliable hoops the sport has seen.

Born and raised in Bloemfontein, South Africa, his father, Guy, is of Belgian descent, while his mother, Marthie, is a native South African.

His family has no connection to the sport, but his success in horse racing has caused them to change that.

"I came from a non-racing background; my family is not into racing at all," he said.

"However, that has now changed because I am pursuing a career in it."

"It was probably inspired by a trip to the UK for a vacation in 2002, when I saw some racing on television and it piqued my interest."

"At the time, we lived on a farm back in South Africa, and we had little ponies. When we got back to South Africa after that trip, I started racing those ponies around the farm by myself, pretending I was a jockey, and so forth.

"I taught myself to ride and became attached to horses very early in life.

"After that, we ended up moving to England four years later. We moved to a small village called Red Lodge, which is 10 minutes outside of Newmarket.

"And then, driving through Newmarket to school and to the grocery store, you see the big, long strings crossing the road to go to the gallops, and the passion just grew from there."

"Seeing the horses cantering up Warren Hill—that really took me by surprise."

Within months of settling with his family in the UK, Van Overmeire began work experience at the stables of the late Michael Jarvis.

A few years later, he would become an apprentice to Roger Varian, who took over the Michael Jarvis training operation when the respected trainer passed away in 2011.

Throughout his career, he has had many influences that have shaped him on and off the track.

"There have been a few!" I mean, obviously, Bjorn (Baker) took me in as an apprentice in Australia. I was also an apprentice to Roger Varian, who took me in when I was living in the UK. They both really influenced me a hell of a lot.

"Mike De Kock (a South African training legend) with whom I also worked was a huge influence on my journey."But there are so many!"

Even after his time riding in the UK and stints in Dubai, Van Overmeire says that it was his arrival in Australia that really made him realise this was an industry that he could truly make his mark in.

"After being in Australia for probably the first six months, I realised I could give it a shot.

"I never thought I would get as far as I have at this stage, though."

"At the time, I was quite heavy, and I wasn’t sure how I would go with losing the weight." "I gave it a crack, and I have been very fortunate to get to where I have so far, and that will keep going."

He has said that at one point he could not believe that losing another ten kilogrammes would be possible with his "lanky, skinny frame"—but with the weight loss came the next step in his riding career.

Van Overmeire is not afraid of hard work, and resilience is a term that is often used to describe the 28-year-old.

A prime example of this is in 2018, when he suffered two injuries away from the races that sidelined him for eight months.

The first occurred while leading one of Bjorn Baker’s horses to the boarding bay early, as it was spooked and pulled his fingers, bending them back almost to his wrist.

Four pins were inserted, with two remaining to this day and a recovery time of five months—this was the first of the two injuries.

The second was as he prepared to canter a filly from the Baker stable on the Warwick Farm sand one morning.

"A horse came from behind and lashed out as it got past me," Van Overmeire told the media at the time.

"I copped it on the right ankle and knew I was in trouble straight away. "I had to be helped off my horse and taken to the ambulance room."

This time away from rides not only taught him resilience and drove his passion higher but also reminded him that he would have to travel and show he could win any day of the week for any trainer on any horse.

He went on to showcase his ability and will to succeed year after year, with his 2021–2022 season being the most profitable with $3.6 million in race earnings and 649 rides for the year.

His career to date has seen him earn $15 million in race earnings and ride 3673 runners since 2012, which includes two Group 2s, two Group 3s, and four listed races.

There was also a memorable day at Royal Randwick where he notched a treble for three different trainers, Jean Dubois, Kim Waugh, and Kris Lees, much to his delight, which is one of his career highlights.

In a clinic for jockeys, he also rode five winners from six rides at Hawkesbury on May 31, 2022, a career best. a feat that Van Overmeire includes in his career highlights alongside his marquee race rides and wins.

"The greatest highlight for me would have been my first stakes winner."

"To be able to ride in The Everest and other big, recognised races like that in Australia has been a big highlight for me also."

This past season has seen Van Overmeire win the Group Two Reisling Stakes on board Glistening as well as the Group Three Commercial Furniture Toy Show partnered with Fituese at Royal Randwick. Listed race victories at Hawksbury in the Toyota Ladies Day Cup with Blue Soldier and the ATC Foundation Winter Challenge with Cross Talk at Rosehill Gardens also rounded out the successful season.

He has had the chance to pick up some great rides that have included See You Soon and Cross Talk.

He now teams up with former Gold Coast-based trainer Michael Costa, whom he has known for the majority of his career, for a second stint riding in Dubai.

"I feel the partnership is going really well.

"When I was an apprentice to Bjorn Baker, Michael was at the same training centre in Warwick Farm, so I got to know him that way.

"We were fortunate to have some success together when he moved to Queensland and brought some horses into Sydney."

When comparing his stints racing in Dubai, Van Overmeire said that even as the profile of the sport in the region develops and grows, it still remains what he remembers in terms of the people that make the industry so great.

"From what I remember, it's still mainly the same sort of calibre of riders."

He said that he saw a real big difference in racing between Dubai and Australia, which influences the way trainers and jockeys perform.

"I think there is actually quite a big difference." Because of Australian racing, you’re probably riding your races more as sprints and in the closing stages of the race.

"It’s more of a jump; get your position and don’t go too fast." You don’t go at a bowling gallop, and you make sure to hold your horse together and use that turn of foot.

"I find it to be the opposite here.""You jump, you bowl along at a nice, decent gallop, and you use full momentum in the straight to use that stamina to win yourself the race. "

The Dubai racing season is short but has really started well for the Costa/Van Overmeire partnership, with 39 rides for five wins and a further ten placings earning just under $400,000 in race takings.

"It’s started very well; we’ve settled in nicely."

"Racing is good, and we are staying consistent, which is great." Most importantly, the horses are running very well.

"Well, the plans are big." I think we've got some nice horses in the stable that have yet to step out.

"I don't see any reason why the plan won't be met—the only thing that needs to stay on track is the horses being fresh, happy, and ready, which they are, and I don't see any reason why they won't stay that way for the rest of the season."

Mersaal, a recently gelded 4YO son of Ghostzapper who recently won two races in Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's yellow silks, is one of the stable's exciting prospects.

Yojaari

His most recent victory came when he defeated the 2020 Gr.3 UAE Oaks heroine Down On Da Bayou under a patient but ready van Overmeire, who was leading from the back of the field.

"Along with Mersaal, obviously, the two horses we took out and won on in the first meeting Mouheeb and Yojaari are both exciting horses.

"The two-year-old that stepped out at Meydan, Seyouff, is also quite exciting."

"There are a few more that are coming from overseas who I think will be exciting as well." We just need to wait for them to arrive, settle in, and prepare for the races.

"I’m sure we will then see their full potential."

Van Overmeire shows no sign of stopping, as he openly suggests a return to Australia following the Dubai racing season is not a guarantee.

"I mean, it is a possibility, but at the same time, if we find some horses that are able to trot the globe after the UAE season here, then who knows where the journey takes us?

"Travel and international races are great for racing! "When you're chasing the prestigious races and there is that medal you want to put on the mantlepiece, then it's very important to win races around the globe."

With his current assignment with trainer Costa, he has had the opportunity to reflect on his journey thus far, which he admits he has never done before.

"In Australia, I probably never sat back and reflected on my career.

"However, with the shorter season and fewer meetings, I sat back the other day and reflected on how my career has progressed and where it has led me."

He now looks back at his career and, with his family—partner Jordan and children Savannah and Hugo—is truly grateful for what he has achieved so far.

"At the end of my career, I want to be looked at as having achieved what the greats of the past have achieved." "At the end of the day, that’s what I strive for."

"I always had that drive and knew where I wanted to get to, but I always thought it would have taken longer."

"It really has taken me on a real rollercoaster ride that I never could have imagined."

All photos supplied by Jean Van Overmeire