Peslier to ride Makfi in St James’s Palace

OLIVIER Peslier is set to pick up an incredible spare ride aboard Makfi in next week’s St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, with his usual jockey Christophe Lemaire retained for Siyouni.

Lemaire has an agreement with the Aga Khan, owner of the Alain de Royer-Dupre-trained Siyouni, who finished down the field when sent off the favourite for the French 2000 Guineas.

He has also been aboard Makfi on his two outings this season, firstly in the Prix Djebel at Maisons-Laffitte, after which he partnered the colt to his famous success in the StanJames.com 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.