Jean-Claude Rouget, one of the most successful trainers of his era and a dual winner of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1), will cease training at the end of September.
Rouget confirmed to French racing daily Paris-Turf that his yards in Pau will be put into liquidation Sept. 25 unless a buyer for the business can be found.
The 73-year-old was among the first trainers based in the provinces to challenge the traditional domination of Chantilly, saddling his first group 1 winner when Millkom took the Prix Jean Prat (G1) in 1994.
During a golden era which began with the Prix du Jockey Club/Prix de Diane (both G1) classic double of Le Havre and Stacelita in 2009, Rouget racked up an impressive series of successes in major group 1s.
His champions in that era included 2016 British and Irish Champion (both G1) stakes hero Almanzor, while further success in the Prix du Jockey Club came via Brametot (2017) and Vadeni, who added the Eclipse Stakes (G1) to his classic success in 2022.
But his two late-career masterpieces started with Sottsass, who won the Jockey Club in 2019 and then earned Rouget a first success in the Arc the following season.
Even better was to follow as Ace Impact blazed like a comet through an unbeaten 2023, winning the Jockey Club and the Arc on his way to being named Cartier Horse of the Year.
Rouget operated from both Pau and Deauville for more than six years, but he was diagnosed with cancer in 2024, while a project to take out a dual license with Jerome Reynier foundered in August that year, leading Rouget to abandon the Deauville yard and concentrate a reduced string in the southwest.
