Roger Poincelet (3 March 1921 – 1 November 1977) was a French

jockey A jockey is someone who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase (horse racing), steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing. The word "jockey" originated from England and was used ...

who rode a total of over 3,000 winners in a long career on both the flat and, initially, jumps. He is regarded as one of the finest French jockeys ever. His first win came on

Prince Aly Khan Prince Aly Salomone Khan (13 June 1911 – 12 May 1960), known as Aly Khan, was an Ismaili sayyid, socialite and ambassador for Pakistan. He was the son of the Aga Khan III, and the father of Aga Khan IV. A socialite, racehorse owner and jocke ...

's Manchuria on 17 May 1937. In his home country, he won three

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe () is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris over a distance ...

s – on

Coronation A coronation ceremony marks the formal investiture of a monarch with regal power using a crown. In addition to the crowning, this ceremony may include the presentation of other items of regalia, and other rituals such as the taking of special v ...

in 1949, Nuccio in 1952 and, lastly, on Prince Royal in 1964. He also went on to win five British classics – the

2,000 Guineas The 2000 Guineas Stakes is a Group 1 flat race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile (1.6 km) and scheduled to take place each yea ...

on Thunderhead in 1952, the 1,000 Guineas and Oaks on Never Too Late in 1960, the 1,000 Guineas again on

Hula Dancer Hula Dancer (foaled 1960 in Kentucky) was an American-bred French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. Background Hula Dancer was a grey mare sired by Native Dancer. Owner Gertrude Widener raced Ambrose Light in France and brought him to the Unite ...

in 1963 and, most notably, the

Derby Derby ( ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority area on the River Derwent, Derbyshire, River Derwent in Derbyshire, England. Derbyshire is named after Derby, which was its original co ...

on the rank outsider,

Psidium ''Psidium'' is a genus of trees and shrubs in the family Myrtaceae. It is native to warmer parts of the Western Hemisphere (Mexico, Central and South America, the West Indies the Galápagos islands). Many of the species bear edible fruits, and ...

in 1961. Psidium had been the less-favoured of two horses from the same stable. Poincelet kept Psidium at the back of the field until reaching Tattenham Corner. He then brought the horse on a path along the outside of the field to win the race. In doing so, Psidium became the longest priced Derby winner for 48 years. Sovrango, the stable's number one horse, finished fourth. After he retired from race riding, Poincelet began training horses in 1971. He died in a Paris hospital on Tuesday, 1 November 1977, aged 57, after a long illness.

Major wins

Great Britain *

1,000 Guineas Stakes The 1000 Guineas Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile (1 ...

– (2) – '' Never Too Late (1960)'', ''

(1963)'' *

2,000 Guineas Stakes The 2000 Guineas Stakes is a Group 1 flat race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile (1.6 km) and scheduled to take place each year ...

– '' Thunderhead (1952)'' *

Ascot Gold Cup The Gold Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 2 miles 3 furlongs and 210 yards (4 ...

– '' Pan (1951)'' *

Champion Stakes The Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile 1 furlong a ...

– '' Hafiz (1955)'' *

Epsom Derby The Derby Stakes, more commonly known as the Derby and sometimes referred to as the Epsom Derby, is a Group races, Group 1 flat Horse racing, horse race in England open to three-year-old Colt (horse), colts and Filly, fillies. It is run at Ep ...

– ''

(1961)'' *

Epsom Oaks The Oaks Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old fillies. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 6 ya ...

– '' Never Too Late (1960)'' *

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot ...

– (2) – ''

Vimy Vimy lemish: Wimi or ; ) is a commune in the French department of Pas-de-Calais. Located west of Vimy is the Canadian National Vimy Memorial dedicated to the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the Canadian soldiers who were killed during the First Wor ...

(1955)'', ''

Right Royal Right Royal (1958–1973) was a French Thoroughbred horse racing, race horse and sire (horse), sire. He was the best two-year-old in France in 1960 when his wins included the Grand Critérium. He was the dominant three-year-old of his generat ...

(1961)'' ---- France *

– (3) – ''

(1949), Nuccio (1952), Prince Royal (1964)'' *

Prix du Jockey Club The Prix du Jockey Club, sometimes referred to as the French Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Chantilly ov ...

– ''

(1961)''

External links

Pathe footage of Thunderhead winning the 2,000 Guineas in 1952Pathe footage of Vimy winning the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 1955

References

1921 births 1977 deaths French jockeys Jockeys from Paris {{France-horseracing-bio-stub