Olivier Peslier was farewelled with a lot of affection at La Teste De Buch, even though there was no ultimate winning ride.
The 51-year-old enjoys universal respect following an incredible career that has seen him win numerous top-tier victories across the globe and be named French jockey champion four times.
Peslier's resume boasts two British Classics (winning the 2000 Guineas with Cockney Rebel in 2007 and the Derby aboard High-Rise in 1998) in addition to an impressive four victories in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
The rider is also closely linked to the exceptional Goldikova, with whom he competed in all of her starts and shared 17 triumphs, including the well-known Breeders' Cup Mile hat-trick in 2008, 2009, and 2010.
Peslier was scheduled to ride La Teste De Buch twice. In the Group Three Dormane Stakes, he partnered Nasser Al Shahania, owned by Thomas Fourcy, and started as the favourite. However, he was beaten by Damien De Watrigant's Muraad.
Originally scheduled to ride Top Glory in the final Aquitaine Atlantique Handicap, Peslier instead chose to ride Julian Resimont's Mana Sis after the horse failed to finish.
The filly was tailed off after failing to give Peslier a fairytale victory on his last ride, but it was clear how highly the rider was respected when he returned to the paddock following the race.
“There’s a lot of people here today and I’ve signed a lot of gifts, boots, helmets, goggles and whips for the fans,” he told Sky Sports Racing. “Everybody has said congratulations, some people are very sad but it’s very exciting to see all the people; for me, it is gratitude to everybody for coming. Some people from the north of France, the west and east have come to watch my race and just say goodbye to Olivier.”
Peslier told about his motivation to leave racing, saying: “The weight is very hard, when you wake up every morning and have to lose four pounds, it is hard and I need to have some horses to enjoy, if they are not going to be high class, then I’d prefer to stop – it is the time to say ‘stop’.”