After his final ride, tributes pour in for Olivier Peslier
As the 51-year-old rode in his final races at La Teste on Thursday, Andre Fabre marked Olivier Peslier "one of the greats."
Peslier, who has over 3,700 victories under his belt, announced on Tuesday that he had made the decision to end his lengthy and illustrious career in the saddle.
Peslier's luck ran out on his last two rides, as Mana Sis was soundly defeated and hot favourite Nasser Al Shahania had to settle for second place, but the Frenchman will surely go down as one of the greats.
Peslier and Fabre had a successful and extended collaboration until Fabre accepted the position of retained rider for the Wertheimer brothers in 2003.
Along with Sagamix and Peintre Celebre, they shared two victories in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. They also won numerous other significant races across the globe, including those involving Banks Hill and Dansili. Peslier became well-known for being one of the most reliable jockeys in the weighing room.
“He rode a lot of good winners for me and was always a very good jockey and he had such a nice personality – I hope he really enjoys his new life,” said Fabre. “What made him so good was that he had perfect balance and he was incredibly strong with it. He would never use his whip if he didn’t have to and he had so much self-confidence, he really was a great jockey. While he rode all the big winners in France, it wasn’t just France, he won races all around the world, like Breeders’ Cups and Japan Cups, that is the sign of the very best, going all over the world winning big races. He has been one of the greats, for sure, and a nice man with it. We had many good days together but I would have to say those with Peintre Celebre stand out more than most, just because the horse was so good, he really was outstanding.”
When Frankie Dettori was declared for the favourite Cape Verdi in 1998 and Luca Cumani needed a Derby jockey for High-Rise, he turned to Peslier, and the rest is history.
Cumani said: “Obviously we couldn’t have Frankie, so we went for the second best! Obviously Olivier has been a great jockey, not only in France but throughout the world. As well as that, he is a gentleman and has been a great ambassador for France and for all jockeys. I’m sure he rode a few for me in France over the years and he has always been on the radar because he is a world-class jockey and has been a winner all over the world.”
One of the best horses Peslier ever rode was Sir Michael Stoute's Harbinger, owned by Highclere Racing and an 11-length winner of the King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2010.
Their racing manager Harry Herbert said: “Olivier was always great fun and he actually rode one of our first champions Delilah, who rode a marvellous race aboard to win the Princess Royal Stakes at Ascot. He’s a joy to be around and such a lovely person and a truly great jockey. For all of us at Highclere, it’s fantastic he rode the best horse we ever had in our silks. Every time one looks back at King George, there’s a brilliant shot of Olivier unleashing him, he literally lets out an inch of rein and as the horse accelerates, Olivier is almost pushed back into the saddle – it’s the most fantastic sight. What a marvellous career he’s had, we wish him well in retirement and we’re obviously eternally grateful for the way he rode Harbinger and our other horses when we were lucky enough to have him.”