Stéphane Pasquier

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Stéphane Pasquier (born January 17, 1978) in Paris, France, is a flat racing jockey. In October 2006, he won the 85th Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

He began as an apprentice for the trainer Robert Collet, and rode in his first race on December 6, 1994, on Raspoutine at Saint-Cloud Racecourse. His first victory was in his second race, riding Floris at Amiens racecourse on September 9, 1995.

Stéphane Pasquier is a turbulent and strong character, and confesses to have lost his way in 1997, needing guidance from Robert Collet to help him back. Pasquier won his first Listed Race in 1999, then his first Group 3 race in May 2001, riding Accélération in the Prix Corrida.

During the winter of 2001-2002, he rode in Singapore and on returning to France won his first Group 2 race, the Prix Greffulhe. His first ride in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe followed in October 2002, finishing 8th on Fair Mix.

After continued successes in Group races throughout 2003, in July 2004, his talent allowed him to join the prestigious Daniel Wildenstein stable as second jockey alongside the number one, Olivier Peslier.

On October 24, 2004, he won the Prix Royal-Oak, his first Group 1 race, with Westerner. Several weeks later, he finished 4th in the Japan Cup aboard Policy Maker.

In 2005, he won two Group 2 races (the Prix Maurice de Nieuil with Ostankino and the Grand Prix de Deauville with Marend), and finished 3rd in the Grosser Preis von Baden, a Group 1, with Westerner.

In early 2006, everything was fine for Stéphane Pasquier, winning a lot of races. But in the summer, he had a bizarre accident whilst watching the 2006 FIFA World Cup final, breaking a glass in his hands when David Trézéguet's penalty shot hit the crossbar. The injury was expected to keep him out of racing for two months, but his strong character helped him to come back sooner. In late August, he resumed racing, and soon started winning again. In October, he rode an outsider Rail Link in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and was a surprise winner.