JOCKEY Pierre-Charles Boudot has been cleared to resume his career, according to his legal team.

The 33-year-old, who has been champion jockey in France three times and won the 2019 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Waldgeist, had his licence suspended in May 2021 following a rape allegation.

Now, five years later, the case has not proceeded and the charges against him have reportedly been dropped.

On Friday his lawyers stated: “After five years of investigation, the justice system has finally exonerated Mr. Pierre Charles Boudot. A well-reasoned dismissal of the case was handed down today by the Amiens Court of Appeal. Having been away from the racetracks for several years, one of the world’s greatest jockeys will finally be able to return to work. We have always fought to see his innocence recognised, and this has finally been achieved.”

It’s thought that the jockey could be back in action within a week.

Before his suspension, Boudot had established a successful link with Coolmore-owned horses running in France. In 2020 he won the Prix de Diane on Fancy Blue for Donnacha O’Brien, the Grand Prix de Paris on Mogul for Aidan O’Brien, and the Breeders’ Cup Mile on Order Of Australia also for Aidan O’Brien.

He rode out briefly for O’Brien in 2023 and also rode sporadically in Qatar in recent years.