From Burgundy Fields to Rosehill Glory: Pierre Boudvillain’s Unlikely Slipper Dream
The scent of success in Australian racing is a far cry from the rocky roads of Pierre Boudvillain’s childhood in Burgundy, France. Yet, it was amidst those early challenges that a lifelong love affair with horses began, a passion that has now propelled the 38-year-old hoop to the brink of his biggest career moment: riding in the prestigious $5 million Golden Slipper at Rosehill.
Boudvillain, a Canberra-based jockey, finds himself on a remarkable journey that has seen him compete in his third season of riding Down Under. This past Saturday, he partnered Gratz Vella-trained Music Time in the iconic two-year-old feature race. This opportunity comes on the back of a triumphant win in the Black Opal Stakes just two weeks prior, marking Boudvillain’s very first group race success.
“It’s been a very overwhelming week,” Boudvillain admitted, reflecting on his rapid ascent. His journey began as a jumps jockey in his native France, a far cry from the flat racing scene he now dominates in New South Wales. “I never thought I would get that far. I just wanted to have a bit of fun in the country when I started racing here, and as I started to get the results, I put the goals a bit higher, but this is beyond those.”
His season has been nothing short of stellar. Boudvillain currently leads the NSW premiership with an impressive 99 winners, though he acknowledges a desire for more success in metropolitan races. “A few months ago I said 100 wins for the season was my goal. If I have a couple of wins in town, that would be good … even better now if it’s a group 1.”
The decision to entrust him with the ride on Music Time in the Golden Slipper, a race often dominated by more high-profile jockeys, is something Boudvillain feels deeply grateful for. He has been the consistent partner for Music Time in all four of the colt’s starts, guiding him to three victories, all at Canberra.
“He’s not an easy horse to ride, so I think that’s what made the choice as well,” Boudvillain explained. “You’ve kind of got to know him. You can feel like you are going too fast, but that’s just not fast enough for him.” This intimate understanding of the horse’s unique needs was crucial, especially when trainer Gratz Vella initially hesitated at the thought of the $150,000 late entry fee for the Slipper.
Boudvillain’s faith in Music Time, however, proved instrumental. “I thought if we win the Black Opal, we will be lucky and that’s going to be it,” he confessed. “I was never thinking of anything after, but the fashion that he did it, he deserves to go to a better level. Anything from there is a bonus. It’s going to be such a thrill for a country team to go up there and do our best. Whatever happens, we will be happy with the horse and it will be such a journey no matter what.”
Music Time, a $45,000 yearling purchase, entered the richest juvenile race in Australia as a $34 TAB chance. His draw in gate eight, which effectively becomes gate six with scratchings, is seen as a significant advantage.
“Having a lot of gate speed definitely helps in those sharp races, especially 1200 at that racecourse,” Boudvillain highlighted. “If we can jump clean from a soft draw and be in a forward position, we are going to be pretty competitive.”
Boudvillain’s path to this pivotal moment has been a circuitous one, marked by a deep-seated love for horses and a persistent wanderlust. His journey to Australia began in late 2016, a visit to friends that turned into a permanent relocation. This was after a three-year stint riding in the Caribbean, a period that allowed him to hone his skills and indulge his adventurous spirit.
Life in Australia quickly took root. He met his partner, Nell Foley, and together they started a family. However, visa challenges presented a significant hurdle, restricting him to track work and pre-training roles for six years before he could finally return to race riding in October 2023.
The unwavering desire to work with and win on horses, however, never waned. “Since I first laid my eyes on a horse at 13, I fell in love with horses,” Boudvillain reminisced. His early equestrian experiences included playing horse ball, a dynamic blend of basketball and rugby on horseback, before he discovered the thrill of racing.
The support of his parents was instrumental in shaping his future. Despite financial constraints, they ensured he and his brother had the opportunities they desired. While his brother pursued university, Boudvillain was enrolled in jockey school.
“Since then it was always a dream to become a good jockey, but it was also a dream to travel and that doesn’t really go together,” he reflected. “I was too young to be so serious. I always thought the world was too big not to be travelled. I thought I can race later, but travelling, you don’t do it as easily when you’re older, so I’m glad I did it then because now I have a family, two kids. So everything came at the right time.”
Boudvillain candidly admits his younger self was prone to mischief. “I was a bit of a troublemaker and I could have gone down a pretty rocky road pretty easily when I was a kid,” he confessed. “I grew up in a very good, loving environment, but I found ways to get myself in trouble, so the horses definitely kept me on track. Going to work every morning to ride horses, it keeps you focused.”
The pride in his achievements is palpable, not just for himself, but also for his family. “Mum keeps telling me, ‘You’ve come a long way my son, I’m proud of you’.” This sentiment echoes the long and winding road that has brought Pierre Boudvillain from the fields of France to the bright lights of Australian racing, with a Golden Slipper dream now firmly within his grasp.
