French jockey Pierre-Charlies Boudot, who is currently suspended from riding due to being indicted on a rape charge last May, has had his licence “withdrawn indefinitely” by France Galop, at the French Ministry of Interior's request, Jour de Galop reported on Tuesday afternoon. The investigation is still ongoing, and it is unclear if the case will proceed to a trial.
France Galop said that they had received a letter from the minister of the interior on Nov. 7 indicating that the ministry was maintaining its request that Boudot's license remain suspended, and therefore, “it is necessary, under these conditions, pursuant to the aforementioned decree, to proceed with the withdrawal of the authorizations of Mr. Pierre-Charles Boudot, namely his authorization as jockey.”
Originally arrested on May 10, 2021 and charged with the rape of a work rider in February of that year on May 12, 2021, the jockey's licence was suspended for three months. His riding ban was then extended an additional six months, and then another half-year period until Aug. 16, 2022. Boudot is currently serving his third suspension extension, which began Aug. 17.
“As always, we try to determine in what way the public good, the sincerity and morality of racing would be impacted if a jockey linked to a moral affair in racing shows up at the start of a race,” the spokesperson for the Ministry of the Interior (Central Service of Racing and Gaming) told Jour de Galop. “The Central Service of racing and gaming has asked that the environment and the seriousness of the facts of which Pierre-Charles is accused be taken into account on the administrative level. This withdrawal [of his licence] is not final. On the one hand, his lawyer will be able to appeal. It will also be possible for him to reapply for approval.”
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