French jockey sets European record

Jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot has chalked up a European Flat record with four winners at Chantilly taking him to 275 for the year.

Sir Gordon Richards famously set a benchmark of 269 winners in 1947, with German champion Peter Schiergen surpassing that target in 1995 with 271 victories.

Sir Tony McCoy’s total of 289 wins in the 2001/2 jumps season is now in Boudot’s sights, although his agent Herve Naggar believes the rider will be eager to celebrate his new milestone before setting out in pursuit of the National Hunt legend.

“It’s a great achievement and he will continue riding to the end of the year, so hopefully he can get close to 300 winners or maybe close to Tony McCoy’s record,” Naggar said..

“The aim from the middle part of the season was to break the record as whatever he touches seems to win. It’s just been unbelievable.

“You must also remember he is not a light jockey, so it’s not easy to make the weight all the time. It’s very impressive.

“He will ride until the end of the year and he does have rides in Japan this weekend and in Hong Kong, but they will be round trips so he can carry on riding in France.

“For now though, we are just going to enjoy this moment.”

Boudot has had two Group One victories this year on National Defense for trainer Criquette Head-Maarek in the Lagardere and the Andre Fabre-trained Waldgeist in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud.