Pierre-Charles Boudot banned for additional six months by France Galop

Pierre-Charles Boudot has been suspended from riding for a further six months by France Galop due to legal proceedings relating to allegations of rape made against the three-time champion jockey.

Boudot was indicted in May and was suspended for three months after he was accused of rape by a work-rider following a party at Cagnes-sur-Mer in February. He denies all charges against him.

His suspension was extended by six months in August due to the seriousness of the allegations and was due to end on February 11.

France Galop has opted to extend his suspension as a "precautionary measure" but said it could be lifted "before its term or renewed in light of elements brought to the attention of the stewards".

A statement released by the regulator on Friday noted the jockey's decision to "abstain from exercising his profession in order to devote himself to his defence" and said the suspension "did not call into question the presumption of innocence of the person concerned".

Boudot's biggest victory came in 2019 when he won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with Waldgeist and he has ridden winners all over the world, including when claiming the 2020 Breeders' Cup Mile with Order Of Australia.

In Britain, he won the 2019 Coronation Stakes with Watch Me and landed the 2020 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes with The Revenant.

Last year, Boudot's legal team strongly denied the allegations against him, and lead counsel Florence Gaudilliere said: "His determination is greater than ever. He categorically denies the charges."

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