Ryan Sanderson is poised for the trip of a lifetime after accepting an opportunity to learn and compete in France.
The 20-year-old reinsman will drive in the Prix des Rencontres Internationales du Trotteur Français at Vincennes on December 1 and work alongside world-renowned horseman Jean-Michel Bazire at the stunning Domaine de Grosbois training centre.
“I’m pretty stoked,” Sanderson said. “You probably don’t think about going over there, but when you get the opportunity, it’s pretty exciting.”
The experience stems from a five-year commitment between Harness Racing Australia and Harness Racing Victoria, which collaborated with the Victorian Trainers and Drivers Association and Victorian Square Trotters Association to reward a talented Victorian participant.
The concept will evolve into a peer-voted drivers’ challenge that will open doors for the state’s reinspeople aged 25 and under to learn and shine on the world stage.
Sanderson, identified as having an outstanding resume in performance and character, will arrive in Paris on November 25 and stay through until his departure on December 8.
The young gun has quickly risen through the ranks to be one of Victoria’s standout junior drivers, with 285 winners since his 2019 debut, including the 2022 Mildura Pacing Cup with Sahara Tiger.
The son of trainer Shane and brother of fellow junior driver Abby, Sanderson said it was “a once-in-a-lifetime kind of trip”.
“Everything is paid for and you are driving in France - you can’t knock that back,” he said.
“I’ll be working with Jean-Michel Bazire and they say he’s one of the best in the world. It’ll be good to see how he goes about things over there, like how they train the horses, how they feed them and even the lifestyle.”
HRV CEO Matt Isaacs was thrilled to announce Sanderson as Victoria’s representative in France.
“This is a truly wonderful opportunity for one of our passionate participants to experience racing and training on the other side of the world,” Isaacs said.
“Ryan has proven himself as a leading junior driver since his debut in 2019, including winning many big races with trotters, and is widely respected within our industry. He is sure to represent both state and country brilliantly while gaining so much experience that he can bring back home to Victoria.”
Isaacs said it was an opportunity that would greatly benefit the industry in years to come.
“Our partnership with some key figures in France means many other participants will be able to follow in Ryan's footsteps and also shows HRV's commitment to developing and providing opportunities for our hard-working trainers and drivers,” he said.
Anthony Butt, the president of the Victorian Trainers and Drivers Association, said Sanderson would gain a wealth of knowledge while overseas.
“We wanted someone that would take benefit out of the trip, appreciate the experience and come away learning,” Butt said. “We thought Ryan ticked all the boxes.
“Jean-Michel Bazire is an absolute legend in Europe and it’s extremely hard for anyone to get into his stables to learn, so it’s a wonderful opportunity for a young person to go over there and spend some time with him, look at the facilities at Grosbois and drive at Vincennes.”
President of the Victorian Square Trotters Association Anne-Maree Conroy said a long-term arrangement between HRV and LeTROT meant many other passionate Victorian drivers would follow in Sanderson’s footsteps.
“For some young trotting person to get over to Paris and drive the best trotters around is a great thing,” Conroy said.
“Ryan won the Mildura Cup last year and the South Australian Trotters Cup in October, which is a pointer towards his ability in the sulky and we’ll definitely be supporting him.”