Pierre-Charles Boudot is moving closer to a return to race riding after France Galop approved his application for a jockey’s licence, marking a major step forward in a process that could see him back in the saddle after several years away from competition.

According to French racing sources, the 33-year-old’s application has been validated by France Galop following a recent dismissal of proceedings by the French justice system. The decision clears a key regulatory hurdle, with only a routine medical examination now remaining before he is officially permitted to ride again.

If completed, the final approval would bring an end to a five-year absence from the French racing circuit, where Boudot was previously one of the leading riders of his generation.

Boudot had been out of competition following serious legal proceedings that resulted in his suspension from the sport. While recent developments indicate those proceedings have now been dismissed, full official documentation has not yet been widely detailed in international racing coverage.

In a further sign that a comeback is being prepared, Boudot was reported at Chantilly on Tuesday morning, where he was seen riding Gilded Prize, a mare trained by Francis Graffard. The horse was entered for the Prix de Diane, suggesting early reintegration into top-level racing environments.

If medical clearance is granted, Boudot will once again be eligible to ride in France, a development that is expected to draw significant attention across the European racing scene given his former status at the top of the rankings.