There was no final winning ride for the legendary Olivier Peslier, but when he hung up his saddle for the last time at La Teste De Buch on Thursday he was met with public support.
The 51-year-old is unanimously respected after a great career that saw him crowned French champion jockey four times, alongside a string of top successes around the world.
Peslier has an impressive four Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe wins on his CV as well as two British Classics, having won the Derby in 1998 aboard High-Rise and the 2000 Guineas in 2007 with Cockney Rebel.
The rider is also inextricably linked to the brilliant Goldikova, whom he rode in all her starts and with whom he celebrated 17 victories, including a famous Breeders’ Cup mile hat-trick in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Peslier was booked for two rides with La Teste De Buch and partnered Thomas Fourcy’s Nasser Al Shahania in the Group Three Dormane Stakes. He started the race as favorite, but missed out on second place behind Damien De Watrigant’s Muraad.
Peslier’s last horse was expected to be top winner in the final Aquitaine Atlantique Handicap, but when that horse did not run, he rode Julian Resimont’s Mana Sis instead.
The filly failed to give Peslier a fairytale victory on his final ride and was left behind, but the appreciation in the rider was evident as he returned to the paddock after the race.
“There are a lot of people here today and I signed a lot of gifts, boots, helmets, goggles and whips for the fans,” he said Sky Sports Racing.
“Everyone has said congratulations, some people are very sad but it is very exciting to see everyone; For me it’s a thank you to everyone who came.”
“Some people from the north of France, the west and the east came to watch my race and just say goodbye to Olivier.”
On the motivation behind his decision to retire, Peslier added: “The weight is very heavy, when you wake up every morning and have to lose four pounds, it’s heavy and I have to have a few horses to work on If that’s not the case, then I’d rather stop – it’s time to say ‘stop.’
Speaking of high-class horses, Peslier identified 1997 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroes Peintre Celebre and Goldikova as his favorites and also said he intended to ride further away from the circuit after his retirement.
“The most extraordinary horse was in my first contract when I was 20, shortly after that I won with Peintre Celebre – that was great,” he said.
“Goldikova definitely, and of course in England everyone knows High-Rise, Harbinger, I had a lot of success in England, also in Ireland and Japan.”
“If I had to choose two horses it would be Goldikova and Peintre Celebre.”
The driver went on to thank the race crowd for the reception he received, adding: “I just want to thank everyone and all the fans.”
“Of course I’ll stay with the horses. I will still ride in the morning because I love the horses and it’s my job. It’s very exciting to prepare the horse for the future.”