Monday 18 December 2017
Christophe Soumillon, the Aga Khan Studs’ retained jockey in France, has won many of the world’s most prestigious races in the famous green and red colours. The Belgian-born rider now counts another achievement as holder of the European record for the number of wins in a calendar year.
Christophe Soumillon reached, and passed, the existing record of 300 wins (held by fellow French jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot since 2016), on a wintry Saturday evening on 16th December. The jockey demonstrated his dedication and determination when recording a four-timer at Lyon la Soie, where he had arrived by plane after scoring once at Deauville in the afternoon.
The Aga Khan Studs have supplied Christophe Soumillon with numerous winners throughout 2017, and notably three Group 1 successes. Partner to Zarkava during her unbeaten campaign culminating in the 2008 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Soumillon successfully associated with her son ZARAK, an exciting recruit to the Haras de Bonneval stallion ranks, to lift the Gr.1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud this season.
The jockey celebrated another impressive milestone, his 100th top-level victory, when securing the Gr. 1 Grand Prix de Paris, aboard Shakeel, and he also enjoyed glory in the Gr. 1 Prix du Cadran on board Vazirabad, their third win together at the highest level.
Christophe Soumillon was retained jockey to the Aga Khan Studs in France from 2002 to 2009, and again from 2014 to the current time. Among the many highlights from the association, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe victories of Dalakhani and Zarkava stand out, as well as a host of Classic successes and international glory with the likes of, among others, Shawanda, Darsi, Mandesha, Darjina, Rosanara, Dalkala…etc. and more recently with Ervedya in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches and the Coronation Stakes, Dolniya in the Dubai Sheema Classic and DARIYAN in the Prix Ganay.
Christophe Soumillon will win his ninth “Cravache d’Or”, French Champion jockey’s title, for his exploits in 2017, and he has stated his intention to continue riding for the next ten years. The Aga Khan Studs look forward to sharing many more exceptional moments together in the future.
Updated on 18/12/2017.
