Tag Archive for: Olivier Peslier

Tributes pour in for Olivier Peslier following final rides

/in /by

Andre Fabre labelled Olivier Peslier as “one of the greats” as the 51-year-old took his last rides at La Teste on Thursday.

Peslier announced on Tuesday that he had decided to bring his long and illustrious career in the saddle to an end, bowing out with over 3,700 winners to his name.

Peslier was out of luck aboard his final two rides, with hot favourite Nasser Al Shahania having to make do with the runner-up spot and Mana Sis was well beaten, but the Frenchman will undoubtedly go down as one of the greats.

Peslier and Fabre enjoyed a long and fruitful partnership until he took the job as retained rider for the Wertheimer brothers in 2003.

Together they won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe twice, with Sagamix and Peintre Celebre, as well as a host of other major races around the world with the likes of Banks Hill and Dansili, as Peslier earned a reputation as one of the go-to jockeys in the weighing room.

“He rode a lot of good winners for me and was always a very good jockey and he had such a nice personality – I hope he really enjoys his new life,” said Fabre.

“What made him so good was that he had perfect balance and he was incredibly strong with it. He would never use his whip if he didn’t have to and he had so much self-confidence, he really was a great jockey.

“While he rode all the big winners in France, it wasn’t just France, he won races all around the world, like Breeders’ Cups and Japan Cups, that is the sign of the very best, going all over the world winning big races. He has been one of the greats, for sure, and a nice man with it.

“We had many good days together but I would have to say those with Peintre Celebre stand out more than most, just because the horse was so good, he really was outstanding.”

In 1998, when Luca Cumani needed a Derby jockey for High-Rise, with Frankie Dettori claimed for the favourite Cape Verdi, he turned to Peslier and the rest, as they say, is history.

Cumani said: “Obviously we couldn’t have Frankie, so we went for the second best!

“Obviously Olivier has been a great jockey, not only in France but throughout the world. As well as that, he is a gentleman and has been a great ambassador for France and for all jockeys.

“I’m sure he rode a few for me in France over the years and he has always been on the radar because he is a world-class jockey and has been a winner all over the world.”

Among the best horses Peslier rode was Sir Michael Stoute’s Harbinger, an 11-length winner of the King George And Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2010, owned by Highclere Racing.

Harbinger won the King George by 11 lengths
Harbinger won the King George by 11 lengths (Sean Dempsey/PA)

Their racing manager Harry Herbert said: “Olivier was always great fun and he actually rode one of our first champions Delilah, who he rode a marvellous race aboard to win the Princess Royal Stakes at Ascot.

“He’s a joy to be around and such a lovely person and a truly great jockey. For all of us at Highclere, it’s fantastic he rode the best horse we ever had in our silks.

“I remember when he rode Harbinger in a piece of work before he went to the King George, he got off him and looked at me and said ‘Harry, we’ll win the King George and I think we’ll win the Arc, this might be one of the best horses I’ve sat on’. That was just from a piece of work.

“He said after the race, and I think he still says it now, that he was the equivalent of Peintre Celebre, so he’s definitely one of the best, if not the best he’s ever ridden. I don’t know how many champions Olivier rode, but this is one and they don’t come around every day.

“Every time one looks back at the King George, there’s a brilliant shot of Olivier unleashing him, he literally lets out an inch of rein and as the horse accelerates, Olivier is almost pushed back into the saddle – it’s the most fantastic sight.

“What a marvellous career he’s had, we wish him well in retirement and we’re obviously eternally grateful for the way he rode Harbinger and our other horses when we were lucky enough to have him.”

Peslier grateful for public support on farewell appearance

/in /by

There may have been no final winning ride, but there was still a great deal of affection shown towards Olivier Peslier as he hung up his boots at La Teste De Buch.

The 51-year-old is unanimously respected after a superb career that has seen him crowned French champion jockey four times, alongside a string of top-level successes all over the world.

Peslier has an impressive four victories in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on his CV, as well as a pair of British Classics after winning the Derby aboard High-Rise in 1998 and the 2000 Guineas with Cockney Rebel in 2007.

The rider is also inextricably associated with the brilliant Goldikova, who he rode in all of her starts and with whom he enjoyed 17 victories, including a famous Breeders’ Cup Mile hat-trick in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Peslier was booked to take two rides La Teste De Buch and partnered Thomas Fourcy’s Nasser Al Shahania in the Group Three Dormane Stakes, going off as the favourite but missing out when second to Damien De Watrigant’s Muraad.

Peslier’s final mount was intended to be Top Glory in the concluding Aquitaine Atlantique Handicap, but when that horse did not run, he picked up the ride on Julian Resimont’s Mana Sis instead.

The filly could not provide Peslier with a fairytale victory on his final ever ride and was tailed off, but the regard in which the rider is held was evident when he returned to the paddock after the race.

“There’s a lot of people here today and I’ve signed a lot of gifts, boots, helmets, goggles and whips for the fans,” he told Sky Sports Racing.

“Everybody has said congratulations, some people are very sad but it’s very exciting to see all the people; for me, it is gratitude to everybody for coming.

“Some people from the north of France, the west and east have come to watch my race and just say goodbye to Olivier.”

Speaking of the motivation behind his decision to retire, Peslier added: “The weight is very hard, when you wake up every morning and have to lose four pounds, it is hard and I need to have some horses to enjoy, if they are not going to be high class, then I’d prefer to stop – it is the time to say ‘stop’.”

Speaking of high-class horses, Peslier identified 1997 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hero Peintre Celebre and Goldikova as his favourites and also said that he intends to continue riding away from the track after bowing out.

“The most special horse was in my first contract when I was 20 years old, just afterwards I won with Peintre Celebre – that was great,” he said.

“Goldikova, for sure, and in England of course everybody knows High-Rise, Harbinger, I’ve had a lot of success in England, also in Ireland and Japan.

“If I had to pick two horses, it would be Goldikova and Peintre Celebre.”

The rider went on to thank the racing public for the reception he has received, adding: “I just want to say thank you to everybody, and all the fans.

“Of course I will stay with the horses. I’ll still be riding in the mornings because I love the horses and it’s my job, it’s very exciting to prepare the horse for the future.”

Olivier Peslier announces imminent retirement

/in /by

Olivier Peslier will retire from riding at La Teste on Thursday.

The 51-year-old has enjoyed an exemplary career in the saddle, being crowned French champion on four occasions and claiming a string of big-race successes across the world.

Peslier counts four victories in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on his CV, as well as Derby success aboard High-Rise in 1998 and a 2000 Guineas triumph with Cockney Rebel in 2007.

He enjoyed a long association with star miler Goldikova, riding the mare to win 17 of her 27 career starts which included a famous Breeders’ Cup Mile hat-trick in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Goldikova was a Royal Ascot winner for Olivier Peslier
Goldikova was a Royal Ascot winner for Olivier Peslier (Rebecca Naden/PA)

Peslier also chalked up two Japan Cup wins and victories the Hong Kong Cup, Mile and Vase plus big-races successes in the likes of Germany, Italy, Ireland and Dubai during a truly international career.

He was retained rider for owners Alain and Gerard Wertheimer between 2003 and 2014 with the aforementioned Goldikova and 2012 Arc winner Solemia two of the headline acts of their lengthy relationship.

Peslier will sign off after two rides at La Teste in the south-west of France, bowing out with over 3,700 wins to his name.

“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 is unsure what the future holds, intending to spend the summer months enjoying time with family and friends before finalising plans for the next stage of life, while he highlighted the talents of both Goldikova and Prix du Jockey Club and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Peintre Celebre as notable memories from his decorated career.

Westerner won the Gold Cup under Peslier
Westerner won the Gold Cup under Peslier (John Giles/PA)

“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 really, really good.”