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French jockey Olivier Peslier has announced he will retire after two rides at La Teste de Buch on Thursday.
A veteran of the French weighing room at fifty-one-years-old, Peslier has achieved top level success across the world during his career and recorded 165 Group One victories, both in Thoroughbred and Arab events.
Whilst he achieved four Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe victories in France (Helissio, Peintre Celebre, Sagamix and Solemia), Peslier is noted for his international travel and regularly came to the UK for big rides – winning the 2000 Guineas aboard Cockney Rebel in 2007 and the Epsom Derby on High Rise in 1998.
As part of his long association with star French miler Goldikova, he won three straight Breeders' Cup Miles alongside victories in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Stakes (Banks Hill) and Man o'War Stakes (Doctor Dino).
In an interview with the PA News Agency, Peslier said: ""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.
"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."
