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.”

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.