Jockey Gérald Mossé announces retirement, will start training

Gérald Mossé, who won more than 100 major races on four
continents and was Arazi’s first jockey, announced his retirement from riding Saturday
and said he plans to become a trainer.

“In the course of my long career, I have had the privilege
of becoming an international jockey, wearing countless silks and riding
champions on the world’s finest racecourses,” Mossé wrote in a statement posted
on social media Saturday. “Above all, I have been lucky enough to meet and rub
shoulders with some wonderful people, without whom I wouldn’t have been able to
fulfil my childhood dreams.”

A native of Marseille, France who famously wore white
gloves for his rides, Mossé is booked to be on Saganti in the Grand Prix de
Paris (G1) on Saturday at ParisLongchamp. His final assignment is Sunday on
Shannikyr in a handicap race at Chantilly.

Mossé, 57, had signature Group 1 triumphs on Saumarez in the
1990 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in Paris and on Kentucky-bred Américain in the 2010
Melbourne Cup in Australia. He also was a two-time winner of the Coronation
Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot with Gold Splash in 1993 and Verse in 2011.

His biggest win in North America came with Siyouma in the
2012 E. P. Taylor (G1) at Woodbine. Mossé rode Arazi to six wins in France before
the colt was shipped to America and paired with Pat Valenzuela for an Eclipse
Award-clinching victory in the 1991 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

Mossé actually got his trainer’s license two years ago in
anticipation of his career change. Starting Sept. 1 he is expected to be based
at a 40-stall barn that he bought at Chantilly.