Legendary French rider Olivier Peslier is grateful that a glittering career stretching back four decades has been “marked by some great moments of joy” after retiring from the saddle on Thursday.
Peslier signed off after his final ride Nasser Al Shahania at La Teste could only manage second in Group 3 company in the south-west of France, failing to add to a career tally of more than 3,700 wins.
The 51-year-old, who partnered Cirrus Des Aigles to victory in the 2012 Longines Dubai Sheema Clasic to claim the most valuable success of his career, has enjoyed an exemplary career in the saddle, being crowned French champion on four occasions and claiming a string of other 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 and fruitful association with star miler Goldikova, riding the mare to win 17 of her 27 career starts; a partnership which included a famous Breeders’ Cup Mile hat-trick in 2008, 2009 and 2010 and an astonishing 14 top-level victories in total.
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 and Ireland 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.
Aside from his triumph in the Sheema Classic, Peslier also partnered 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.
‘I RIDE FOR MY PASSION’
Peslier signed off after his final two rides at La Teste in the south-west of France, bowing out with more than 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,” 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.”
A NEW LIFE
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.
“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.”
