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| Sumita Pawar |
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Olivier Peslier, a renowned French rider, expressed his gratitude for a flourishing career spanning four decades that has been “marked by some great moments of joy,” after retiring from the saddle on Thursday. Peslier concluded his final ride on Nasser Al Shahania at La Teste, where he secured second place in Group Three company in the south-west of France, unable to add to his career tally of more than 3,700 wins.
Peslier's exemplary career in the saddle includes being crowned French champion four times and winning a series of other big-race successes across the world. He counts four victories in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on his CV, along with Derby success aboard High-Rise in 1998 and a 2000 Guineas triumph with Cockney Rebel in 2007.
Peslier formed a long and fruitful partnership with star miler Goldikova, winning 17 of her 27 career starts, including a famous Breeders’ Cup Mile hat-trick in 2008, 2009 and 2010, and an astonishing 14 top-level victories in total. His career also boasts of two Japan Cup wins, and victories in the Hong Kong Cup, Mile, and Vase, along with big-race successes in countries like Germany, Italy, and Ireland.
Peslier's affiliation with owners Alain and Gerard Wertheimer between 2003 and 2014, where he was their retained rider, was also quite notable. During that time, he rode Goldikova and 2012 Arc winner Solemia to victory, among others.
Aside from his triumph in the Sheema Classic, Peslier also rode two Kahayla Classic winners. In 2011, he rode Seraphin Du Paon to victory for Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, while three years later, he steered the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayad Al Nayan-owned Rabbah De Carrere to success.
Peslier's Retirement Journey
After completing his final two rides at La Teste in the south-west of France, Peslier retired from his career as a jockey, having achieved an impressive record of over 3,700 wins.
“My health is fine, but you need the horses and need the practice and if you don’t have so many horses, it is the time to decide to stop because it is very tricky to ride only a few horses,” said Peslier.
“After a very long career I have had plenty of success. I have had more than 3,700 winners and over 500 Group race wins. I have won with both Arabians and thoroughbreds and 165 Group Ones, so it is amazing when I look at my career. My career has been marked by some great moments of joy – I am very grateful for that.
“I have won everywhere in the world and had great success and great moments. I’ve met so many good people and I’m very happy to stop my career and watch what has happened before.
“I won all the good races in England; the Epsom Derby, the King George and at Royal Ascot. In Japan, I won 12 Group Ones and won the Japan Cup and all the big races over there and also the Breeders’ Cup, a big race in Dubai and all the Derbies in Europe.
“So now is the time and I’m in good form and everything is fine. It’s sad to take the decision but I will keep riding some horses because everybody loves horses and also I ride for my passion.”
Peslier's future plans are uncertain, but for now, he intends to spend the summer months with his loved ones before making any final decisions. He reminisces about his illustrious career and fondly recalls the remarkable abilities of Goldikova, Prix du Jockey Club, and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Peintre Celebre.
“I will take a little break and see some friends and see what happens over the next few months,” continued Peslier.
“After a holiday, September will be a new life, and I think I need a little bit of time to see what will happen in the future. I’m going to spend some time with my kids and enjoy life, then it will be a new life.
“Normally when I go to say Hong Kong and England it is for work, now I can go and visit people I know and take the time to enjoy it.
“Goldikova won 14 Group Ones and Peintre Celebre won the French Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and were both reaslly, really good.”