Marco Botti hands Pierre-Charles Boudot a return to top table with Group 1 ride on Giavellotto

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Former French champion jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot has been handed his highest-profile mount since resuming his riding career in Qatar a year ago, with Marco Botti booking him to partner Giavellotto in the flagship event at next week's Amir's Sword meeting in the Gulf state.

The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe-winning rider was suspended in May 2021 having been arrested on a charge of rape, the alleged incident dating from February 17 the same year during the winter meeting at Cagnes-sur-Mer.

Initially, his licence was suspended by France Galop in the interests of protecting the image of racing and, since November 2022, amid the long-running legal proceedings, that suspension has been maintained at the request of the interior ministry.

However, last year Boudot was granted an emergency licence to ride following a walk-out by senior jockeys over safety concerns at the Al Rayyan track. He went on to win 43 races before the end of the Qatari season in April and this campaign he has ridden 32 winners. While they have mainly come in low-grade contests, this latest move signals a return to the top table.

Botti has turned to Boudot for the mount in the $2.5 million Amir's Trophy as Giavelotto’s regular partners Oisin Murphy and Andrea Atzeni are unavailable.

Giavellotto has become a mainstay of the international circuitCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Botti said: “Giavellotto looks bright and the plan is for Pierre-Charles Boudot to ride him. He has plenty of experience of the track out there and will be able to ride him work when he gets there.”

Giavellotto was due to ship to Qatar on Friday evening after completing his preparation with a workout on the Al Bahathri Polytrack on Friday morning, when he was ridden by Jack Gilligan.

His rivals include Godolphin’s El Cordobes, who will be bidding to extend the blue domination in the mile-and-a-half contest which has been won for the past two years by the same operation’s Rebel’s Romance.

Read more:

Pierre-Charles Boudot case moves a step closer to resolution after prosecution requests court appearance 

Pierre-Charles Boudot takes first rides since 2021 after being granted emergency licence in Qatar 

Pierre-Charles Boudot suspended for three months pending rape investigation 

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