A TOP jockey who has been banned indefinitely from racing amid a rape allegation is back working for legendary trainer Aidan O’Brien.
Three-time French champion jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot denies a charge of raping a woman at a party in Cagnes-sur-Mer, France, in 2021.
Pierre-Charles Boudot has not ridden for over two years
Boudot has not race ridden since May 8 2021, 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’.
Despite this, Boudot has relocated to Ireland where O’Brien confirmed he is riding out for Ballydoyle.
O’Brien told RacingTV: “Pierre-Charles is with us riding work, he rides out every day and we’re delighted to have him.
“He’s a big help, he has a lot of experience.”
Henry Longfellow made a striking debut at the Curragh on Saturday and O’Brien also confirmed Boudot is riding him out in the mornings.
"It was an incredible ride from Ryan."
Great stuff with Aidan O'Brien following a fine day at the @curraghrace
Henry Longfellow
Kyprios on the comeback trail pic.twitter.com/rL7jBR6Rd8
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 22, 2023
In November Boudot had his licence withdrawn indefinitely by France Galop, at the French Ministry of Interior’s request.
A France Galop statement at the time said: “Suspended from May 14 after his indictment for a case of morality, Pierre-Charles Boudot will not be able to resume the competition.
“The jockey had his authorisations withdrawn from the Ministry of the Interior.”
Prior to his suspension, Boudot 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.
Previously commenting on the case, Boudot’s lawyer Florence Gaudilliere said: “Pierre-Charles Boudot’s determination is greater than ever.
“He categorically denies the charges.”
