Tag Archive for: Christophe Soumillon

Camille Pissarro denies Rashabar in Lagardere thriller

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Camille Pissarro swooped late to grab glory in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at ParisLongchamp.

Trained by Aidan O’Brien, the colt benefitted from a vintage Christophe Soumillon ride as he recorded a first Group One success in the seven-furlong contest.

Soumillon exercised plenty of patience in the early stages before allowing his mount to coast into contention in the straight.

Rashabar put up a tremendous bid for Brian Meehan, but Camille Pissarro – who was well down the field when Rashabar won the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot – just edged the verdict in the shadow of the post, with the front-running Misunderstood clinging on for third.

O’Brien said: “He’s a very good work horse this horse, we always thought the world of him, we probably haven’t been riding him right – he’s a fast horse and he quickens well.

“We always thought he’d be better next year. He’s a big horse and looking at him there he’s a Guineas horse that could go sprinting. Christophe gave him a super ride.

“He’s been busy, but in all fairness to him he kept standing up to it. We produced him very late, that’s probably the key, let him go to sleep.

“He is a big horse, he’s probably getting better and stronger. We always thought the world of him, but I did such a bad job training him – what a mess I made!”

Soumillon, for whom the success was a first in the race, added: “It’s a great honour to ride for the current best trainer in the world, it doesn’t matter if he’s got one, two or four horses, you always have a chance to win the race.

“Today I knew with the stall I was coming out of that I had to wait at the back, in the straight he responded straight away and went to the front.”

Of Rashabar – who was unfortunate not to win the Prix Morny on his previous visit to France – Meehan said: “The ground was not ideal Sean (Levey) said, he said if it comes up softer ground in future we can always take our chance but it just definitely stunted a little bit of his speed and pick-up.

“It was a fabulous run and he is a Guineas horse for next year. That will be him for the year now and we will wait for a Guineas trial next year and then go on from there.

“(The Breeders’ Cup) was always on the cards, but this was an important race for him today and I just feel he’s done enough.

“He does (belong in Group One company), I just feel like I’ve let him down a little bit as both races he has been second – maybe I’ve got to step my game up next year.

“He’s one of the nicest horses I’ve trained – he’s so easy to train and deal with, he’s easy to read and he has the temperament and mind for it.

“We’ll go for a trial (next year) and then maybe Newmarket or here (for a Guineas).”

Henri Matisse was sent off the 13-10 favourite under Ryan Moore, but had to settle for fifth place.

O’Brien said: “He got a bad bump early, we put the blinkers on him because he was very timid and immature. I’d say that would have shocked him, as soon as I saw it happen I thought we were in trouble.

“That’s why I had the blinkers on him, don’t lose the faith.”



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Soumillon to partner Ambiente Friendly in Prix Niel

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Ambiente Friendly will test the waters at ParisLongchamp on September 15.

The Derby runner-up has been pencilled in for the Prix Niel, which is traditionally a key trial for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and has luminaries such as Montjeu, Sinndar and Hurricane Run on its roll of honour.

Since Epsom, the James Fanshawe-trained, Gredley family-owned Gleneagles colt has finished third in the Irish Derby before failing to give his true running in the Juddmonte International.

Robert Havlin was in the saddle for Epsom, the Curragh and York, but local knowledge in the form of Christophe Soumillon will take the reins this time.

Soumillon last won the Niel in 2006, when the Andre Fabre-trained Rail Link got the better of Mick Channon’s Youmzain.

Fanshawe said: “That’s the plan – all being well, he goes for the Niel and Christophe Soumillon has been booked.

“He seems really well.”



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Super Soumillon bags another King George – and he is not done yet

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Christophe Soumillon has his sights on one day conquering Epsom, after proudly riding his way onto the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes roll of honour for a second time aboard the giant-killing Goliath.

It is 18 years since the decorated Belgian steered Hurricane Run to victory in the race in the colours of Michael Tabor for master trainer Andre Fabre.

And while that victory aboard the reigning Arc hero was hard-fought up the Ascot home straight, his latest French raider turned the Berkshire track’s summer highlight into a procession.

Whereas in 2006 he struggled to take in the magnitude of the occasion, this time around, aboard Francis-Henri Graffard’s 25-1 shot, Soumillon was able to savour every moment as he sauntered to victory.

A big 'thumbs up' from Christophe Soumillon
A big ‘thumbs up’ from Christophe Soumillon (Steven Paston/PA)

He said: “It’s a different feeling to Hurricane Run because he was an Arc winner and one of the big favourites.

“There was a big fight in the straight that day and today was a different feeling because I was travelling up the straight without anyone by my side. It was a very comfortable race and I knew at the two-furlong marker the game was over for the others.

“There was a lot of things going on and I couldn’t appreciate the victory on Hurricane Run for what it was. The new story is here and I am so proud.”

Such was Goliath’s dominance, Soumillon simply found himself waiting for the right moment to unleash his strong-travelling partner.

With his sons watching on, he had time to salute the crowd in the closing stages as the four-year-old went one place better than his second in the Hardwicke Stakes, stunning a field featuring six Group One winners with over 50 victories between them.

“When I came in the straight I was cruising behind William Buick (Rebel’s Romance) and Ryan Moore (Auguste Rodin), I knew Rossa (Ryan, on Bluestocking) was behind me but I didn’t worry about him as I was cruising,” continued Soumillon.

“When I took him out he just accelerated on the bit very easily and I didn’t want to take the front too early but when I asked him to go, he just switched gear.

Christophe Soumillon winning the King George with Hurricane Run in 2006
Christophe Soumillon winning the King George with Hurricane Run in 2006 (Rebecca Naden/PA)

“Francis did an amazing job with him and he worked amazingly well last week which gave me and Francis a great opportunity to come here today – everybody knows the UK is the hardest place to win a race, especially with French horses.

“You are always doing your best to come over here with the best horse in the race and everything was perfect today and he won like the best horse in the race.”

He added: “It’s a great achievement for everybody and I have my sons here today, hopefully they are very proud of that.

“When you are young and you win big races, you think it will happen five or 10 times, but when you are old like me today, you realise you have to enjoy every moment of it. For me today, it is just pleasure and happiness.”

Aged 43, some would describe Soumillon as entering the twilight of his career. However, he served a timely reminder of the talent that makes him a go-to jockey around the globe with his stylish handling of Graffard’s gelding.

Queen Camilla with winning connections of Goliath
Queen Camilla with winning connections of Goliath (Steven Paston/PA)

Not ready to contemplate hanging up his saddle just yet and having landed one of Britain’s best races once again, he has his eye on finally claiming Britain’s ultimate prize.

“My dream is to one day win the Epsom Derby, so if anyone wants to give me a good ride one time, I would be very happy with that,” he added, issuing a plea to any trainer with a Classic contender on their hands.

“I have ridden many big races in my life and the Kentucky Derby was one which was amazing. For me the Epsom Derby is the toughest race I have ridden in and I have enough experience now to understand how it works – you need a champion horse to win it.

“We’ll see, I’m not done, there’s plenty under my belt and I’ll keep going until my head tells me stop.”



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Soumillon to ride Big Rock and Blue Rose Cen at Royal Ascot

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Christophe Soumillon will ride both Big Rock and Blue Rose Cen at Royal Ascot next week.

Trainer Maurizio Guarnieri confirmed Soumillon would take over from the regular rider of the pair, Aurelien Lemaitre, due to his greater experience of Ascot and his excellent record in big races around the world.

Big Rock, a startling winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day when trained by Christopher Head, disappointed on his seasonal reappearance in the Lockinge at Newbury when he had valid excuses and heads for the Queen Anne.

Blue Rose Cen, three times a winner in Group One company last season for Head, made a pleasing reappearance when beaten a little over two lengths in the Prix d’Ispahan by Mqse De Sevigne and will run in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.

Soumillon’s last Group One win in the UK came in the Coral-Eclipse on Vadeni in 2022.

Soumillon will replace Aurelien Lemaitre, who won on Big Rock on Champions Day
Soumillon will replace Aurelien Lemaitre, who won on Big Rock on Champions Day (John Walton/PA)

Guarnieri told the PA news agency: “Soumillon is going to ride them both, we’ve decided.

“Christophe is world class. I and the owners decided to change. I think he is a champion, it is just that.

“He knows all the tracks, he knows Ascot very well and he has won Group One races everywhere so I think he is the best choice.”

As for Big Rock’s chances, they could be boosted by some forecast rain.

“I hope the rain comes, that should help him,” said Guarnieri.

“He had a problem coming out of the stalls in the Lockinge, he went down on his knee, after that it was very difficult.

“The ground was also not in his favour at Newbury but the main problem was the start, when you put your nose on the ground the race is compromised.

“We know he likes Ascot but the ground was very heavy that day.”

Blue Rose Cen (centre) endured a luckless run at Glorious Goodwood last summer
Blue Rose Cen (centre) endured a luckless run at Glorious Goodwood last summer (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Blue Rose Cen pleased connections with her comeback against the boys and will run in traditionally one of the hottest races of the week.

“I was happy with her performance in the d’Ispahan. After so long off it is not so easy to come back in a Group One race against the older colts who had already run,” said Guarnieri.

“She finished off her race, the distance was maybe a little short so with an extra furlong I am confident she will run well.”



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Soumillon swoops late on Zagrey to bag Baden-Baden honours

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Christophe Soumillon conjured up some magic aboard Zagrey as Yann Barberot’s colt prevailed in a thrilling finish to the 153rd Wettstar.de Grosser Preis von Baden.

The four-year-old brought some high-class form to the table ahead of the Baden-Baden Group One having finished third behind Equinox in the Dubai Sheema Classic in the spring before picking up a silver medal when bumping into an on-song Westover in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

However, victory in Germany looked doubtful when Soumillon found his passage repeatedly blocked at the business end of the 12-furlong contest.

The experienced rider managed to get his mount rolling at just the right moment and timed his challenge to perfection as he edged out Henk Grewe’s Mr Hollywood in the shadow of the post.

“From the start it was a very difficult race and the jockeys changed their lines quite fast,” Soumillon told Wettstar.

“I wasn’t in a great position approaching the first turn and I had to take a bit forward down the backstraight.

“When I came into the straight, my horse changed legs and he was not fine. I gave him time and there was not a big gap but I knew the main contender was right in front of me, so I was just trying to follow him.

“He has such a big heart and he fought so hard the last 150 yards. He is an amazing horse and it is a pleasure for me to be here.”

Torquator Tasso won the Grosser Preis von Baden before tasting Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe glory in 2021, while last year both Mendocino and the defending champion booked their place in the ParisLongchamp line-up when finishing first and second respectively in this contest.

Not only does Zagrey’s victory enhance his own Arc claims, but it also provides a welcome boost to the form of Ralph Beckett’s Westover, who is as short as 8-1 for Europe’s richest middle-distance contest.

Zagrey could now head to the French capital on October 1 with a first Group One success under his belt and his handler was full of praise for the horse.

“It is never easy to win a Group One, even with a horse as good as him,” said Barberot.

“It was a great race in the straight. Obviously there wasn’t a lot of room in the last 500 metres, especially in a race where there was no pace early on. But the horse showed a lot of courage to get there.

“Having said that, I was quite worried heading into the home straight.”



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Soumillon returns to winner’s enclosure at Chantilly

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Christophe Soumillon was successful on his first ride back in France since the end of his 60-day suspension for elbowing Rossa Ryan off his mount in September.

Riding Black Milord Tavel for trainer Eric Lecoiffier in the Prix de la Mare Madame over two miles at Chantilly on Saturday, the Belgian wasted no time in opening his account.

Unsuccessful in South Africa last weekend and on one ride in Meydan on Friday, Soumillon jetted back to his adopted homeland and struck at the first attempt.

The jockey missed lucrative spells in Hong Kong and Japan, as well as Ascot’s Champions Day and the Breeders’ Cup and had his retainer with leading owner the Aga Khan terminated as a result of the controversial incident at Saint-Cloud.

Having linked up with agent Herve Naggar, he will be hoping for a fresh start.



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Soumillon out of luck on return to the saddle in South Africa

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Christophe Soumillon came away winless as he made his race-riding comeback in South Africa.

The Belgian jockey was the retained rider for the Aga Khan until an incident occurred at Saint-Cloud in September involving Rossa Ryan.

Soumillon appeared to elbow Ryan out of the saddle during a race, causing him to fall, and subsequently served a 60-day suspension which led to him being released from his contract with the Aga Khan.

After missing stints in Hong Kong and Japan and international meetings such as Champions Day at Ascot and the Breeders’ Cup, the 10-time French champion headed to South Africa to bounce back.

His first chance on Saturday’s Kenilworth meeting came via Peter Muscutt’s Isivunguvungu in the Franschhoek Motor Museum Winchester Sprint Cup, a five-furlong race that had attracted 15 contenders.

Placed in the middle of the group travelling on the outer rail, Soumillon mounted a late challenge aboard the fast-finishing gelding to sweep past all but one of his rivals ahead of the post.

Mr Cobbs, trained by Candice Bass-Robinson, was narrowly ahead at line, leaving Soumillon to miss out by a short head on his first ride since returning to the saddle.

The following Grade Two Cartier Sceptre Stakes did not wield a dissimilar result for the jockey, who again closed in on his rivals in the final strides of the race but had to settle for minor honours aboard Mike de Kock’s third-placed Desert Miracle.

The feature contest of the meeting was the Grade One L’Ormarins King’s Plate, a race in which Soumillon partnered Golden Ducat and came home seventh – after which he was unplaced again aboard Winter Air in the Glorious Goodwood Mr 74 Handicap.



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Soumillon back in the saddle with big-race ride in South Africa

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Christophe Soumillon returns to riding in South Africa this weekend following his 60-day ban for elbowing Rossa Ryan off his horse at Saint-Cloud in September.

The actions of the Belgian, 10 times a champion in France, sparked widespread criticism and swift action was taken by France Galop to suspend Soumillon.

As a result of the incident, he also lost his contract as retained rider for the Aga Khan and missed potentially lucrative spells in Hong Kong and Japan. Meetings such as Champions Day at Ascot and the Breeders’ Cup also took place during his ban.

It is a big day in Cape Town at Kenilworth on Saturday and Soumillon has picked up the ride on Golden Ducat for trainer Eric Sands in the 162nd L’Ormarins King’s Plate, the top mile contest run in South Africa.

Golden Ducat has performed with promise in a pair of Graded races since returning from over 500 days off the track and Cape Town-based Sands is delighted to have the services of a jockey he regards as one of best three in the world.

“He’s a great rider,” he told Cape Racing. “Soumillon always rises to the occasion and gets horses to rise to the occasion. In my book he’s one of the best three jockeys in the world.”

On the chances of Golden Ducat, a son of Philanthropist and winner of the Cape Derby in 2020, he added: “His two prep runs were great runs and he was way below where we want him to be.

“Unfortunately after his last run he had a little tweak, so he had a few days off. He’s getting to his best now and he’ll be better for the Met (January 28). A mile is on a sharp side for him, but we’ll see how he goes and I’ve been happy with his prep.”

Previously run as the Queen’s Plate, the race was first staged in 1861 when Queen Victoria donated a silver plate and 500 sovereigns to the winner.



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