By scoring a second consecutive double at Marseille-Borely racetrack in Marseilles on Wednesday, French jockey Dominique Boeuf has pocketed the season's French champion jockey title with 149 wins against Olivier Peslier's 148. For the achievement he receives his third "Cravache d'Or" (golden whip), after taking titles in 1991 and '98."I was hoping we could dead heat, but that's the way it goes" Boeuf said. "I am committed to ride again on Friday at Lyon and then on Sunday at Toulouse. This title reminds me of the first one, because I owe both of them to (the late Daniel) Wildenstein."

Olivier Peslier, who won three Group 1s in Japan since leaving France in mid-November, had a lead of some 20 winners over Boeuf when he went to the Far East.—Emmanuel Roussel