Olivier Peslier set to ride Stradivarius for the Arc

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French Jockey Olivier Peslier took to the media to express how excited he was to partner up with Stradivarius for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday, calling the homebred a “super horse.”

Italian jockey Frankie Dettori, who is the usual partner for Stradivarius, will be riding on Enable, who is keen on making the Arc her third historic victory. This outcome prompted the owner Born Nielsen and trainer John Gosden to turn to French jockey, who has won the famous race four times.

Olivier Peslier set to ride Stradivarius for the Arc

Speaking about the Nielsen-bred horse, Peslier said via Racing Post: “It’s wonderful. He’s a super horse, strong and a famous stayer. I’m very happy to be on him.

“I think he will be very good in the Arc because there’s a lot of rain in Paris and that will be a big help for him. He’s a strong horse who just gallops. He’s a real champion.

“I watched him last time at Longchamp. John Gosden is a champion trainer and I know the horse will be 100 percent in the Arc.”

Stradivarius, who has been a top-class stayer for a long time, was able to end the Prix Foy race in the second position and he is being backed with 14-1 favorite for Sunday’s race, and with Cheltenham betting punters have the chance to increase their earnings for the race.

Taking about their choice of a jockey, owner Godsen said to the reporters: “After discussions with Mr. Nielsen we have decided to book Olivier Peslier for the ride.

“Obviously his course knowledge is second to none and we think he’s the right fit for the horse.”

The 47-year-old French Jockey won the Arc three consecutive times from 1996 to 1998 with Helissio, Peintre Celebre, and Sagamix before finally winning his fourth in 2012 with Solemia, who secure the victory of the race after a sloppy showdown from Orfevre in the later stages.

Stradivarius has been able to make a name for himself, establishing himself as one of the best British stayers in the last three years. He won three Gold Cups at the Royal Ascot, which was part of a £1 million bonus he won in 2018 and 2019.

However, his success was not just known for that, the Nielsen homebred stayer also won four Goodwood Cups. And although he was defeated twice when he has dropped back to the Arc distance of a mile and a half this campaign, with the most recent was coming second in the Prix Foy under Dettori to Anthony Van Dyck.

Nielsen will not be letting that performance discourage him from The Arc, which has been his most anticipated. He said: “I wouldn’t be put off for the Arc by the way he ran today and the pace of an Arc would suit better.”

29-years-old Italian jockey Andrea Atzeni had been formerly suggested as a potential option for Stradivarius. The duo are no strangers to each other as they had previously teamed up to win the Goodwood Cup for 2017 and 2018. However, the new quarantine rules meant that Atzeni will be staying in Britain so as to avoid being unavailable to ride for his retainer Sheikh Mohamed Obaid Al Maktoum for the Dubai Future Champions meet on October 9-10.

Having ridden in France, Jockeys upon their return to Britain will be quarantined for eight days before becoming available.


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