Thierry Jarnet Retires

Thierry Jarnet, who rode Treve (Fr) (Motivator {GB}) to two victories in the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, has announced his retirement from the saddle.

A leg injury has forced the 49-year-old to call time on a notable career, which included steering top-class sprinter Moonlight Cloud (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) to six Group 1 wins, as well as winning the 1995 2,000 Guineas aboard Pennekamp (Bering {GB}) for Andre Fabre.

“I'm not going to be riding this season, I have had to finish. I've had a problem with my leg,” Jarnet announced to Press Association Sport.

“I've no plans to start training, I don't know what I'll do yet. I rode many good horses for Andre Fabre––Pennekamp, Subotica and lots of good fillies. Recently I've had Moonlight Cloud, and, of course, Treve. She would have to be the best of them all.”

Paying tribute to Jarnet, Treve's trainer Criquette Head-Maarek, commented, “Thierry came to the stables this morning to tell me he he was retiring and I am a little bit sad as we've had so many great days together. It's Thierry's decision and it happens to us all, I suppose.”

She added, “Obviously we had some fantastic times with Treve––the second Arc was fantastic––but there were a lot of other good horses as well.”

Jarnet also enjoyed plenty of good days with Head-Maarek's brother, Freddy Head, the trainer of Moonlight Cloud as well as fellow Group 1 winners Charm Spirit (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and We Are (Ire) (Dansili {GB}).

“He came to tell me he was retiring this morning. He said he couldn't go on because of his knee problem,” Head said. “It's a sad day for racing. Thierry is a great jockey, very well balanced and pure class.”

Fellow Chantilly trainer Andre Fabre, for whom Jarnet was principal jockey during the 1990s, added, “He was a great jockey, top class, but the main thing he was a gentleman. He was quite fit for his age so I'm surprised at this.”

He continued, “We enjoyed good days together, Pennekamp winning the Guineas was one of the best.”