Racing: Peslier goes on tour

OLIVIER PESLIER has set off on a winter tour of some of the world's leading racing countries, having already sewn up the jockeys' championship in France for the third time. The French Flat racing season does not end until 5 December but Peslier has already ridden 148 winners and has a lead of 30.

Peslier yesterday left for Japan - where he enjoys celebrity status - and will be making several trips to Saudi Arabia and to Hong Kong where he is seeking rides at the important International Cup meeting on 12 December.

He also has brief visits to Macau and Martinique lined up before spending Christmas in Argentina the New Year in Paris. Then he will be off to Japan again early in January for a two-month stint after which he will be back to defend his championship.

Peslier rode four Group One winners in 1999 and will next year again be retained by his long-term employers, Daniel Wildenstein and Andre Fabre.