Peslier Will Ride ‘Glance’ in Guineas

Leading French jockey Olivier Peslier is in line to partner Cursory Glance (Distorted Humor) in the G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas at Newmarket next May. Roger Varian’s filly won three of her four starts as a juvenile, including the G3 Albany S. at Royal Ascot and the G1 Moyglare Stud S. at The Curragh. Andrea Atzeni has been ever-present in the saddle thus far, but having signed up as the new number one jockey for powerhouse owners Qatar Racing for 2015, Varian has decided to move early to ensure he has the services of a top rider for his exciting youngster. 

“Given the strong team Andrea has behind him, both myself and the owner Craig Bennett felt it wouldn’t be sensible to go all winter hoping he would be available to ride Cursory Glance in the spring, so we’ve moved to book Olivier Peslier and we’re delighted to have done so,” said Varian. “There has obviously been a jockey shuffle this season and we didn’t want to wait and leave our jockey arrangements until the last minute. The arrangement with Olivier encompasses everything up to and including the Guineas, provided he is not committed to riding for his retainer in France.” 

Added the trainer, “We’ll see how the season plays out after that. All being well she’ll either run in a trial or have a racecourse gallop and provided he’s available, Olivier would ride her in either and then in the Guineas.”