‘One of the best jockeys on the planet’ Pierre-Charles Boudot – banned amid rape allegation – eyes huge return to racing
A TOP jockey who won the Arc is eyeing a return to the sport – after he was banned following an allegation of rape.
Sun Racing’s Matt Chapman reveals all in this huge exclusive story below… and brings you his best bet for Saturday’s action.
COULD banned jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot be on the verge of a return to the saddle?
Three years ago, Boudot was a French star and considered one of the best riders on the planet.
Then, his world fell apart when he was indicted by the public prosecutor in France for ‘acts of rape likely to have been committed on the night of February 17 to 18, 2021’.
As of yet, not a single charge has been brought against Boudot.
And he now hopes there is a chance he can continue his career.
“I am still waiting,” Boudot told me.
“But I think I will know (my future) in September. My case has taken time because the civil party made an appeal against me.
“To be honest I really hope to be back on track in 2024.”
It’s not only the justice system that Boudot must overcome.
“I broke my shin two months ago and am not able to ride for another month,” he added.
“Hopefully everything will come together at the same time.”
In November 2022, Boudot had his licence withdrawn indefinitely by France Galop at the French Ministry of Interior’s request.
Prior to his suspension, Boudot’s star was bright. He was an 11-time Group 1 winning jockey who enjoyed his biggest day when winning the 2019 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Waldgeist.
On British shores, he won the 2019 Coronation Stakes on Watch Me and the 2020 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on The Revenant.
His last major success was Mare Australis in the 2021 Group 1 Prix Ganay, and he was superb when taking the 2022 Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile on Order of Australia.
The latter was trained by Aidan O’Brien, and during his absence Boudot has ridden work at Ballydoyle.
Watch this space.
Meanwhile, it’s the calm before the storm on the track on Saturday.
The highlights are Newbury, Ripon and Newmarket, and I will be at the first of those courses for Sky Sports Racing bringing you all the best interviews.
At Newbury for many the feature will be BetVictor Hungerford Stakes.
While Britain yearns for a Group 1 race over 7f, it does of course have a number of Group 2 contests over that distance and the Hungerford Stakes is one of the key events.
You often need a classy type to score in this contest, and the race has been landed in recent times by the likes of Dream of Dreams, who landed the Group 1 Haydock Sprint, Lethal Force, another Group 1 hero, as well as Paco Boy, Reel Buddy, Lend a Hand, Classic heroine Harayir and some old favourites in the shape of Hadeer, Salieri and Salse.
This time around we have some confirmed closers in defending champion Witch Hunter and Tiber Flow, while Kikkuli might like more of a test.
I’m in the English Oak camp for Ed Walker and James Doyle.
Not everyone would have been thrilled with his fourth in the Lennox at Glorious Goodwood, but those close to this horse don’t think he let himself down properly and he returned with a slightly twisted shoe.
Before that he was a tasty winner of the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot.
English Oak can race close to the speed and I think he will be hard to pass.
Ripon hosts the big betting race of the day in the William Hill Great St Wilfrid Handicap.
I tipped up WOBWOBWOB in this last year and while he finished third and is now 2lb higher in the weights he’s got a fine eachway chance again for Adrian Keatley and PJ McDonald.
Seven furlongs will have been a bit far at Goodwood last time but he was back in form at Thirsk earlier this term and this is his type of gig.
Back to the Hungerford, and Tiber Flow is ridden by Tom Marquand, who was on board the monster Economics when he bolted in at Deauville on Thursday.
The Haggas inmate might be an absolute star, and Marquand gave me a quick rundown of how it felt on top.
He said: “He’s a beautiful big horse, plenty of size and scope about him. You can’t help but feel he can still physically improve and he felt unbelievable in Deauville.
“He really had to set about his task and to run down Jayarebe and did so and felt like a top class horse.
“Exciting times with him and I’m looking forward now to his next race which seems to be the Irish Champion Stakes.”
The Americans once had a horse called ‘Big Red’ in the chestnut legend Secretariat. Economics might just be the UK version.
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