Olivier Peslier
Olivier Peslier (Cake6, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikipedia)
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Peslier Calls It a Day: Legendary International Jockey Announces Retirement

Late April brought the news that one of the most widely respected international riders would soon hang up his silks for a final time. Now 51 years of age, Olivier Peslier has few seniors in the weighing room – the evergreen Frankie Dettori aside – making this retirement slightly less surprising than others announced in recent months. Nevertheless, this decision marks the end of an era, with the career of the Frenchman spanning 30 years and taking in all of the major stages that the global racing game has to offer.

Peslier’s career is remarkable, not only for its longevity but also the consistent seam of success running through it. Here, we look back at the career of one of the most naturally gifted horsemen of the modern era – whose immense talent was matched by his sheer class on and off the track and huge respect amongst his fellow professionals and punters.

Impressive Numbers


When finally putting his feet up following his final rides at La Treste in the southwest of France on 25 April 2024, Peslier will be able to look back on a career which encompassed four French Jockey Championships (1996, 1997, 1999, 2000), around 3,700 wins, including 502 Group level contests, and a phenomenal 165 Group 1 triumphs. Each of those top-level victories likely holds a special place in the heart of the Mayenne native, but in terms of global significance and prestige, some shine a little brighter than the rest.

The Arcs

Longchamp Racecourse
Longchamp Racecourse, home of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (DPA DPA, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikipedia)

For a Frenchman – or any top-class flat rider from any nation – the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is the crown jewel which lights up the international turf season. Invariably attracting the finest 1m4f performers on the planet, a win in the Longchamp showpiece features prominently on the wish list of the leading riders: Peslier ticked that particular box on four memorable occasions.

1996: Helissio

As ever, the 1996 Arc field was jam-packed with star quality, including Sir Michael Stoute’s German Derby winner Pilsudski and Andre Fabre’s Coronation Cup king Swain. However, nothing would prove a match for the Ellie Lelouche-trained Helissio, who put the field to the sword in devastating style leaving Pilsudski training five lengths in his wake.

1997: Peintre Celebre

Twelve months on, it was a case of déjà vu for poor old Pilsudski. Once again too good for the majority of the field, the mount of Mick Kinane was left to watch Peslier careering away, this time aboard the brilliant Andre Fabre colt, Peintre Celebre.

1998: Sagamix

A year later and Peslier was at it again. Unbeaten in three career starts, Sagamix started as the joint-favourite in a field containing Grand Prix de Chantilly winner Fragrant Mix and High Rise, whom Peslier had partnered to glory in the Epsom Derby. Whilst the successes of Helissio and Sagamix looked a foregone conclusion some way from home, Peslier had to work a little harder to land the hattrick.

2012: Solemia

Having won three in such quick succession, Peslier was making a second home of the Longchamp Winners’ Enclosure. However, he would wait 14 years for his fourth and final Arc success. By this stage of his career, Olivier wasn’t an automatic choice for the leading French yards, but he did at least have a ride in the great race aboard the filly Solemia. With only a Group 2 win to her name, Solemia was sent off at 33/1 but belied her outsider status under the strong Peslier drive.

Success on the International Stage


In addition to becoming one of the most successful riders in the history of France’s greatest race, Peslier frequently displayed his considerable talent on foreign soil – picking up wins in no fewer than 19 nations over the course of his illustrious globe-trotting career, with the following quartet of victories among the highlights.

1998 Epsom Derby: High-Rise

Peslier grabbed two British Classics – the first of which came aboard this Luca Cumani-trained son of High Estate in the 1998 Epsom showpiece. A perfect three from three ahead of the big day, High-Rise advertised his claims with a win in the Lingfield Derby Trial before getting up in the shadow of the post to land a thriller.

2007 2,000 Guineas: Cockney Rebel

Nine years after that Epsom success, Newmarket set the stage for Peslier to strike again – this time aboard the unfancied Cockney Rebel from the Geoff Huffer operation. Beaten in two of his three juvenile outings, Cockney Rebel improved hugely at three, winning the 2,000 Guineas in fine style, before proving that victory to be no fluke when following up in the Irish 2,000 Guineas.

2008, 2009, and 2010 Breeders’ Cup Mile: Goldikova

Peslier enjoyed the partnership of many top-quality performers through his role as the retained rider to Alain and Gerard Wertheimer, but the best of them all was this tough and talented mare. Between 2007 and 2011, this Freddy Head-trained superstar plundered 14 Group 1 events, including the Falmouth Stakes, the Queen Anne Stakes, and this Breeders’ Cup highlight on a record-setting three occasions.

2001 Japan Cup: Jungle Pocket

Having picked up a dozen top-level successes in the land of the Rising Sun between 2000 and 2005, Peslier earned the nickname of the Blue Samurai from his legions of Japanese fans. Topping the Frenchman’s hitlist in the Far East were his two victories in the valuable Japan Cup – the first of which came when inspiring Jungle Pocket to a power packed late surge in 2001.

Exemplary from Beginning to End


Many jockeys come and go in the sport of racing but few leave such a lasting impression as Olivier Peslier. The man himself perhaps summed up his time in the saddle best when stating, “Like everyone, my turn has arrived….It’s been an extraordinary career and I would hope I can say it’s been an exemplary one”.