Pierre-Charles Boudot exonerated of all charges against him

Top French jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot will be able to reapply for his riding licence after being exonerated by a court of charges against him relating to allegations of rape.

Boudot – who has always strenuously denied any wrongdoing – has not ridden in his homeland since his indictment in May 2021, initially being suspended for two days by France Galop with that subsequently extended on several occasions, before his licence was revoked indefinitely in November 2022 at the request of the Ministry of the Interior.

However, a court of appeal has now cleared his name in a decision that brings the long process to a close and paves the way for the three-time French champion, 33, to return to the saddle.

Boudot’s attorney Florence Gaudilliere was delighted to receive the “excellent news” and in a statement to the Press Association said: “After five long years of investigation, the Court of Appeals has just issued a well-reasoned decision that finally exonerates Pierre-Charles Boudot.

“Fighting alongside him for so many years has been an honour.

“We are pleased that the judges took the time to thoroughly review the case before rendering their decision.

“Pierre-Charles has shown exemplary courage; this is now behind him, and he will soon be able to return to the racetracks.”

Regarded as one of the finest riders in the world, Boudot has won numerous Group One contests both at home and abroad, arguably enjoying his finest hour when denying John Gosden’s Enable a historic third win in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe aboard Andre Fabre’s Waldgeist in 2019.

During his suspension, he returned to race-riding very briefly in Qatar earlier this year, partnering Marco Botti’s Giavellotto to finish third in the Amir Trophy, being granted a temporary licence by the local authorities after numerous international jockeys refused to ride over concerns with the track.