Esteemed jockey Olivier Peslier will retire this week, concluding his remarkable 35-year career in horse racing.
The 53-year-old French rider has accumulated 3,700 career wins, including an impressive 165 at the Group 1 level, showcasing his talent on global stages.
Peslier will have his final races at La Teste racecourse near Bordeaux on Thursday, marking the end of his professional journey.
During the peak of his career in the late 90s and early 2000s, Peslier was the top choice for major Group 1 races worldwide. He is well remembered for his last-minute winning ride on High-Rise in the 1998 Derby at odds of 20-1.
His other notable victories include riding Cockney Rebel to win the 2000 Guineas and multiple triumphs at Royal Ascot, such as his win on Goldikova in the 2010 Queen Anne Stakes. Additionally, he achieved a memorable victory for the late Queen in 2017 by winning the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes on Dartmouth.
In France, Peslier won the prestigious Arc de Triomphe four times, dominating the race from 1996 to 1998, during which he was considered one of the most formidable jockeys globally.
He maintains a close friendship with fellow jockey Frankie Dettori, who recently postponed his retirement to continue racing in California. Both are recognized as pioneering international jockeys, earning the admiration of fans worldwide, including in Japan where Peslier was affectionately dubbed the ‘blue samurai’.
Fans have expressed their admiration and well-wishes on X, formerly known as Twitter, praising Peslier’s elite skills and his significant impact on racing. Some comments also contrast his dignified retirement approach with the prolonged retirement announcements of his peer, Dettori.
In confirming his retirement to the Racing Post, Peslier reflected on his extensive achievements, including over 500 Group race wins and his notable successes in both Britain and Japan, like his Japan Cup victory.
He shared his intention to remain involved in the racing industry, though he plans to take some time to decide his next steps. Peslier described his career as extraordinary and hopes it is seen as exemplary, marked by many joyous moments.
