Boudot Returns To The Winner's Enclosure In Doha After Being Granted Licence At Eleventh Hour
Updated: February 14, 2025 at 4:49 pm
Pierre-Charles Boudot, who had not ridden in public since May 2021 due to legal proceedings relating to allegations of rape, made an unexpected winning return to the saddle in Doha on day two of the Amir Sword meeting on Friday.
The French native made his return to the saddle in the second race on the card, the Purebred Arabian Cup, aboard the Al Shaqab-owned Al Jori. The pair finished fourth.
Boudot was granted an emergency licence at the eleventh hour after a number of riders stood down from riding at the meeting over safety concerns following an incident in the opener.
His return winner came in the sixth race, the Thoroughbred Filly And Mares Oryx Cup, aboard the Zuhair Mohsen-trained Kerindia.
The Arc-winning jockey had his licence “withdrawn indefinitely” by France Galop in November 2022 and, while he is not banned in his home country, he is also not licenced there.
Boudot has been based in Qatar for the past three months after taking a work-riding role for Al Shaqab and the 32-year-old was only issued with a licence earlier on Friday.