One of France’s greatest jockeys Olivier Peslier is bidding au revoir to riding after announcing his imminent retirement.
The 51-year-old Peslier will take his last rides at La Teste in south west France on Thursday, bringing the curtain down on a stellar career which has lasted more than 30 years.
Peslier, champion four times, won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on four occasions and enjoyed big race success on the international stage.
In the US he won three Breeders’ Cup Miles on the brilliant mare Goldikova, as well as the Derby and 2,000 Guineas in Britain plus the Japan Cup.
He said: “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,” Peslier told the PA news agency.
“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.
“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 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 this morning I rode six horses and tomorrow I will ride some horses in training and for sure I will keep riding some horses because everybody loves horses and also I ride for my passion.”
Peslier rode as stable jockey for Andre Fabre and spent 11 seasons as the retained rider for Alan and Gerard Wertheimer, owners of Goldikova and his final Arc winner Solemia in 2012.
Before then he completed an Arc hat-trick Helissio in 1996, Peintre Celebre (1997) and Sagamix (1998).
He won the Derby on High-Rise in 1998 and the 2,000 Guineas on Cockney Rebel in 2007 while also steering Harbinger to an 11 length success in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in 2010.