Boudot rape charge
ARC DE TRIOMPHE-winning rider Pierre-Charles Boudot was last night charged with rape by French prosecutors.
Boudot, 28, three-times champion jockey in France and successful in the 2019 Arc on Waldgeist, was released on £40,000 bail but has not had his licence withdrawn.
Sources in France suggest he will not partner favourite St Mark’s Basilica for Aidan O’Brien in Sunday’s French 2,000 Guineas at Longchamp.
Yesterday’s charge prevents Boudot from being in the Chantilly area where the alleged victim lives.
This will impact Boudot as Chantilly is not only the home of the French Derby but also the major training centre for the horses that he rides.
The case concerns allegations made by a female work rider following a party at Cagnes sur Mer on February 17.
Boudot, who holds the record of 300 winners in a French Flat season, was charged along with weighingroom colleague Pierre Bazire.
Bazire is charged with failing to assist the victim.
■ STARMAN showed he is destined for sprinting honours when roaring to victory in the Duke OfYork Clipper Logistics Stakes at York.
The Oisin Murphy-ridden colt scored by a neck from Nahaar with Oxted, last season’s July Cup winner, back in third place.
Snowfall booked her ticket for next month’s Cazoo Oaks after taking the Musidora Stakes by three and threequarter lengths, following a masterful front-running ride from Ryan Moore.
The filly was cut to 7-1 from 33-1 for the Epsom Classic, with Aidan O’Brien stablemate Santa Barbara the 7-4 favourite.