Pease Goes Out A Winner

Jonathan Pease ended his career on a winning note Thursday as Siyoushake won the 7th race on the card at Fontainebleau in France for the veteran trainer. Earlier in the day he sent out Shot In The Dark to a fourth place finish in the first race on the card.

Pease, who was born in England but spent his entire career training in France, announced in July that he would retire at the end of the French flat racing season.

“I am very happy to have won with my last starter, especially since it was for an owner [Larry Roy] who has been with me for a long time” Pease told French reporters after yesterday’s race. “Winning the Arc is my greatest memory, along with the three Breeders’ Cup races I won. I was the assistant to Mr. [Francois] Mathet so it was logical that I would set up in France. I was lucky to have great owners.”

Pease, 63, recorded his greatest triumph with Bago in the 2004 G1 Prix de l’Arc Triomphe. His three Breeders’ Cup wins came with Tikkanen in the 1994 Turf, Spinning World in the 1997 Mile and Karakontie in the 2014 Mile. He trained for two of the most prominent owners worldwide in George Strawbridge and the Niarchos family.

When announcing his retirement this summer, Pease said, “After 37 enjoyable years as a trainer in France, I will be retiring at the end of 2015. I would like to thank my excellent and loyal staff, six of whom have worked with me for more than 25 years.”