JOCKEY Pierre-Charles Boudot is set ride in France for the first time in over five years at Compiegne today [Saturday].

The leading French jockey has not ridden in his homeland since May 2021, but was able to reapply for his licence after last week being exonerated by a court of charges against him relating to allegations of rape.

Boudot - who has always strenuously denied any wrongdoing - was granted his licence by France Galop on Tuesday pending the completion of a mandatory medical examination and having now come through that too, he is clear to make his comeback.

He has one ride on a family-owned horse, Messager De Faust, trained by Mickael Seror, in the 11.31am race at Compiegne today. At Chantilly on Sunday, he has four mounts on the French Oaks card. His best chance of a winner looks to be Sahlan in the Prix Bertrand Du Breuil, a Group race over a mile.

Boudot was initially suspended for two days by France Galop following his indictment, a ban which was extended on several occasions before his licence was revoked indefinitely in November 2022 at the request of the Ministry of the Interior.

The 33-year-old did return to race-riding briefly in Qatar earlier this year after being granted a temporary licence by local authorities.

Boudot has won numerous Group 1s at home and abroad over the course of his career to date, perhaps most notably denying Enable a third victory in the 2019 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe aboard the Andre Fabre-trained Waldgeist.