SOUTH African apprentice Franklin Maleking made a major impression on a local and international television audience with a balanced ride from off the pace to win the Prix Longines Future Racing Stars run over 1800m at Chantilly Racecourse in France on Tuesday.

Maleking rode the favourite Blazon for trainer Van De Poele. The grey won going away, and Maleking showed composure and a cool head when the first few got away inside the final 400m.

Franklin Maleking.

Maleking was chosen to represent South Africa in the second edition of the Prix Longines Future Racing Stars.

The fourth year apprentice from the South African Jockey’s Academy was accompanied by the Johannesburg-based riding master, Gary Waterston.

The Future Racing Stars event over 1 800m was worth 20 000 euros of which 10 000 was paid to the winner.

It was contested by 14 riders from eight countries in Australia, Great Britain, France, Japan, Germany, Italy, South Africa and the USA. – Sporting Post.