Jean-Charles Briens, a 61-year-old sports photographer specializing in horse racing finish lines, has built an international reputation that takes him from England to Japan to Australia. The week before his appearance at the Malbrande Hippodrome in Les Sables-d'Olonne, he was photographing races at York, England. Yannick Meunier, president of the Malbrande Hippodrome, describes him simply as "the best," a title that's hard to dispute given the international demand for Briens' expertise across racetracks in England, Australia, Japan, and Saudi Arabia.
Briens' journey into horse racing photography began in 1986 when he took his first finish line photos for Paris Turf, quickly becoming a staff photographer. What started as a simple entry into the photography world has evolved into nearly four decades of expertise. "Through practice, I've developed a certain understanding of how to do it," Briens explains. "For me, finish line photography is now routine. It's the repetition of work that makes it so."
The photographer's travels have exposed him to vastly different racing cultures around the world. While he acknowledges that French audiences love racing and enjoy attending events, nothing compares to the fervor he witnesses in Japan. "I really love Japan. There's genuine enthusiasm there. They experience racing at 2000 miles per hour. It's a national sport, it's more than just a race," Briens assures. He describes Japanese racing fans as passionate and knowledgeable people living in "another world, another atmosphere." Their dedication runs so deep that they "bet like crazy" and are "inveterate gamblers" who "sleep in the subway the night before races."
Briens has the unique privilege of sharing this Japanese racing passion with a close friend – French jockey Christophe Lemaire, who has been Japan's top jockey for seven years. Lemaire has become such a mega-star in Japan that he must wear a cap and sunglasses in public to avoid being recognized and stopped by fans on the street. "I have the privilege of experiencing this with him, by his side," Briens says with evident joy.
Australia represents another favorite destination for the photographer, particularly the Melbourne Cup, which takes place on the first Tuesday in November. The public arrives as early as 8:30 in the morning, and Briens notes that some people would never dream of missing the Melbourne Cup. The dedication of Australian racing fans clearly resonates with his appreciation for the sport's cultural significance.
However, not all international racing venues capture Briens' enthusiasm. Despite featuring the richest purse in horse racing at 20 million dollars, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, represents "the worst place I want to go." The lack of genuine enthusiasm among spectators disappoints him greatly. "I prioritize the beauty of the sport. Seeing champions generates excitement," he explains, emphasizing that this aspect of his profession matters most to him.
The Malbrande Hippodrome in Les Sables-d'Olonne provides exactly the kind of authentic racing experience Briens values. "Many greats have passed through here, at Malbrande," he confides. The photographer clearly treasures these moments, stating, "We experience incredible moments. It's a privilege to do this job." After 38 years of capturing horse racing's most thrilling finishes across the globe, Briens continues to find passion and purpose in documenting the sport's beauty and the genuine enthusiasm it generates among true racing fans worldwide.
