Veteran jockey Olivier Peslier will make his final rides in the saddle at La Teste-de-Buch on Thursday, the Frenchman announced on Tuesday. A four-time winner of the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, the 51-year-old rider confirmed to Equidia that he had “carefully thought about his decision”.
Also named the French Champion Jockey four times–in 1996, 1997, 1999, and 2000–Peslier has ridden over 3,700 winners worldwide in his 35-year career. At least 165 victories were at Grade/Group 1 level, including three Breeders' Cup Mile scores aboard the talented Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa).
His first victory in the Arc arrived aboard Helissio (Fr) (Fairy King) in 1996. That was the start of a three-year streak, with wins in the storied race also arriving with Peintre Celebre (Nureyev) in 1997 and Sagamix (Fr) (Linamix {Fr}) one year later. His final tally in the autumn showpiece was with Solemia (Ire) (Poliglote {GB}) in 2012.
“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 PA Sport.
“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 1s, so it is amazing when I look at my career.”
Numerous French Classic winners had Peslier in the irons, including the aforementioned Peintre Celebre, who won the G1 Prix du Jockey Club in 1997. French stallion Intello (Ger) was Peslier's other French Derby winner, achieving that feat in 2013.
Peslier also scribed his name on top-class foreign races the world over, with a win in the G1 Derby coming by way of High-Rise (Ire) (High Estate {Ire}) in 1998. He was also aboard Cockney Rebel (Ire) (Val Royal {Fr}) in the G1 2000 Guineas in 2007. Also a winner of the 2001 GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf teaming up with Banks Hill (GB) (Danehill), Peslier was especially effective in Japan, winning the G1 Arima Kinen from 2002-2004 with Symboli Kris S (Jpn) (Kris S.) (2002/2003) and Zenno Rob Roy (Jpn) (Sunday Silence) (2004).
He added, “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 [several] at Royal Ascot. In Japan, I won 12 Group 1s and won the Japan Cup and all the big races over there and also the Breeders' Cup and all the Derbys 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 is booked on Top Glory (Fr) (Olympic Glory {Ire}) in the La Teste nightcap, a 1900-metre handicap. His other ride is Nasser Al Shahania (Fr) (Jaafer Asf {GB}) in the G3 Prix Dormane for purebred Arabians earlier in the day.
Of his future plans, he said, “I will take a little break and see some friends and see what happens over the next few months. 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.”
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